Vijai Nathan

Vijai Nathan head shotVijai Nathan mortified her traditional Indian parents by giving up a career in journalism, canceling her wedding, and becoming a stand-up comedian- and she hasn’t looked back since.

Today, Vijai is one of the leading Indian American female comedians making people laugh across America and internationally too. In February, CBS Online chose her as one of the “Best Stand-Ups” in Washington DC and International comedy phenomenon Russell Peters calls her “One of the top two South Asian comics in the world to watch!” & she is featured on “The Russell Peter’s Christmas Special” 2011.

She was featured at the Montreal International Comedy Festival (Just for Laughs) and the Smirnoff International Comedy Festival. Washington DC loves her too- she’s performed at the Smithsonian Museum, Kennedy Center, Constitution Hall, Library of Congress and won the award for Artistic Excellence from SpeakeasyDC.

She’s gained attention from critics for her three solo-shows:  “Good Girls Don’t, But Indian Girls Do;”  “Woman on Top: Tips from Mom, Dad & COSMO” (AKA “Give them Vagina”) and “McGoddess: Big Macs, Karma & the American Dream.”

Credits Include:
-NPR’s “Snap Judgment” chose Vijai out of hundreds of storytellers to perform in their highly competitive live show series June 2013.
-NBC chose Vijai as one of  the Nation’s “Top 10” comics in their Stand-Up for Diversity Showcase in Los Angeles.
-TV appearances include: ABC News’ 20/20, PBS, The Oxygen Network, the BBC & UK Comedy Channel “The World Stands Up.”
-Back Stage Magazine named her one of it’s Top 10 Stand-Out Stand-Ups.

Vijai has also contributed articles for Vogue (India) and Femina (India), and has been featured in Bust Magazine, Washington Post Magazine, LA Times, and the New York Times.

Vijai grew up as a “foreigner” (or at least that what everyone called her) in the suburbs of Washington D.C. where she was born.  Her material comes from her experience as an Indian girl in America – raising two immigrant parents, dating boys with mothers who wished their sons could find a nice blonde girl named “Tiffany,” and the universal quest for love, understanding and a good pair of undies.

Her first book, “Good Girls Don’t, But Indian Girls Do,” will be released in the Summer of 2014.

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