MAHATMA MOSES
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World's Only Indian Jewish ​Standup Comedian
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Statistically improbable. Culturally conflicted. Hilariously consistent. ​- ChatGPT
10 Best Indian-Origin Comedians of the Last Decade - BookMyShow
10 Indian Comedians Who Found Success In The U.S. - Silicon India
The show was stolen by an Indian Jewish comedian - Omar Schubert, Haaretz
Samson Koletkar is a find! - Steven Alan Green, Jewish Journal

ABOUT

Samson Koletkar
Samson Koletkar, a.k.a. Mahatma Moses, is the world's only Indian Jewish Stand-Up Comedian! Growing up in Mumbai, he spent most of his childhood years burning the midnight candles for earning a Masters Degree in Computer Software, thereby fulfilling his Indian-Jewish parents' dreams. He then moved half-way across the world to the technology headquarters and comedy hotbed - San Francisco.

Samson's comedy is a unique blend of his Indian background, Jewish roots, and American life. His clean comedy has been described as cerebral, witty, & refreshing, and he has entertained audiences across USA, Canada, & India. He has been featured on NPR, NBC, CBS, NDTV, The Times of India, Indian Express, Ha'aretz, Asian Jewish Life, and more.

In his debut year, Samson Koletkar was a finalist in the Rooster T Feather's Amateur comedy Competition. He won the International Society of Humor Studies Comedy Competition and the Asian American Theater Company Comedy Competition. He was a semi-finalist in the 36th Annual Seattle International Comedy Competition, a quarter-finalist in the 39th Annual San Francisco Comedy Competition, and was invited to participate in the 2010 Great Canadian Laugh Off.​
In his quest of quality stage time in front of an attentive audience that allows comedians to hone their craft, Samson founded COMEDY OAKLAND in May 2009. With 5 shows every week, Comedy Oakland presents 250+ shows featuring 400+ comedians entertaining 10,000+ audiences every year. The show has won "Best Comedy Night" (2016-2023) in East Bay Express Reader's Poll.  Every week, Samson & his team curates a lineup of up-and-coming and seasoned, local and visiting comedians, providing audiences with a hilarious night of entertainment. SF Chronicle published a cover article on him - India-born stand-up builds comedy utopia in Oakland!

He is also the co-founder and visionary behind DESI COMEDY FEST, the biggest South Asian Comedy Festival in America. The San Francisco based Fest has showcased 100+ comedians from 6 continents and has entertained 12,000+ audiences. The Fest has also run a 20-show tour of India, and satellite events in Toronto, Los Angeles, San Diego, Portland, Seattle & New Jersey. 

Samson is the headliner on Mahatma Moses Comedy Tour and You're Funny But You Don't Look Jewish Tour. He has also been a featured performer on other comedy tours, including the Funatical Comedy Tour, Make Chai Not War, Pundits with Punchlines, and Sultans of Satire.

"Who enjoys your comedy most?" he was asked in an interview, expecting an answer like Indians or Jews or Immigrants. His reply left the interviewer amused, "those who prefer caffeine over alcohol."

VIDEOS

Being A Mother Is Not The Hardest Job In The World
The American Adoption Rollercoaster
Performing in Marathi for the 1st time
The INDUStry Show with Samson Koletkar
​Samson Koletkar with Robert Handa on NBC Bay Area
​Samson Koletkar with Robert Handa on Asian Pacific America - NBC Bay Area
Samson Koletkar with Akriti Tyagi on NDTV
Samson Koletkar with Akriti Tyagi on NDTV's Rising Stars of Comedy

PICTURES

HEADSHOTS

Comedy For People Who Prefer
​Caffeine ​Over Alcohol
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