Popular comedian ‘Aiyyo’ Shraddha Jain, known for her relatable humor rooted in her Indian middle-class upbringing, is concluding her highly successful global stand-up tour, ‘So Mini Things’, with final shows across India.
From Online Star to Global Performer
Shraddha Jain, widely recognized as “Aiyyo” Shraddha, has quickly risen to fame in India’s booming comedy scene. An engineer and former radio jockey (RJ), she transitioned into a content creator and is now touring with her first stand-up special, ‘So Mini Things’.
Her tour has taken her to over 45 cities across three continents, receiving enthusiastic responses everywhere. She is set to wrap up this memorable journey with highly anticipated closing shows in Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bengaluru.
The Radio Days That Shaped Her Humor
Shraddha credits her time in radio as fundamental to her content and storytelling abilities. She learned much about crafting narratives during her years as an RJ, which provided a strong foundation for her comedic style.
She discovered her unique comedic voice when her early videos, especially those in her native Tulu language, began to go viral. Seeing people genuinely enjoy and share her content, particularly those videos circulating globally, confirmed her knack for humor.
Finding Common Ground: Roots in Indian Middle-Class Life
Shraddha emphasizes that her content is deeply inspired by her upbringing. Her experiences growing up in an Indian middle-class household and spending summers in her ancestral village of Karkala heavily influence her jokes and character portrayals.
This background allows her to connect instantly with a wide audience. Observing locals during her holidays in Karkala directly led to the creation of beloved characters like Malathi akka and Genius Janaki, making her humor universally relatable.
Her own family often provides comedic inspiration. Her father, for example, once famously wondered why her Aglio e Olio pasta was “dry” and ended up eating it with sambar – a real-life anecdote that resonated with many and became one of her first viral videos.
The Transition to Live Stage
Moving from creating online skits to performing in front of a live audience was a significant shift. Initially, her RJ instincts kicked in, causing her to speak too fast without enough pauses. However, she has since settled into her rhythm, becoming comfortable with improvisation, audience interaction, and the dynamic energy of live shows.
Behind the Scenes of a Comic’s Life
Before a show, Shraddha enjoys exploring the city she’s in, often taking walks. She loves immersing herself in the local culture, visiting art museums, and even catching other stand-up acts or musicals when touring internationally.
Just before stepping onto the stage, she takes a moment to center herself. She thinks of her parents and reminds herself that “every single person in the audience is my own,” embracing them with a sense of familiarity and connection.
Art, Responsibility, and Politics
When it comes to politics, Shraddha prefers a “minimalist, pragmatic, and focused” approach to governance. She is not a fan of the dramatic “theatre” of politics, believing that governance should be quietly efficient, much like good plumbing.
She feels that in a diverse country like India, politics often oversteps its bounds. For her, the core responsibilities of governance are straightforward: ensuring quality education, sanitation, public health, public safety, and creating employment opportunities.
As an artist, Shraddha believes in a sense of responsibility towards society. She constantly asks herself about the motive behind her work and what emotions she wants her audience to feel. This clarity helps her refine her material and ensures her art carries a meaningful purpose.
Strength, Weakness, and a Quick Joke
Shraddha identifies her biggest strength as preparation. She dedicates considerable time to perfecting her craft. Ironically, this meticulous preparation is also her biggest weakness, as it takes her “forever to believe I am ready!”
And finally, when asked for a joke, she quips, “How can you be sure Artificial Intelligence is a South Indian? ‘Cos it’s AI.yyo!”
