In this episode of Tamil in Melbourne: Naam Melbourne Kathaigal on SYN, hosts Avani and Varshini bring you a vibrant mix of community stories, international comedy, and fresh Tamil hits.

Special Guest: Maitreyi Karanth

We are thrilled to welcome the multitalented Maitreyi Karanth—philanthropist, public speaker, and stand-up comedian. After starting her comedy career in Hong Kong seven years ago and becoming the first woman there to stage a solo theatre show, Maitreyi is making her debut at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2026.

In this episode, we dive into:

• Her Comedy Journey: How she discovered her passion for stand-up and her path to performing in Melbourne.
• "Maitriarchy": The story behind her show title and what it means to her.
• Life Advice: Wisdom she lives by and the one thing she would tell her younger self.
• The Aussie Challenge: We put Maitreyi to the test with local Melbourne slang, from "having a squiz" to the confusing "yeah nah" vs. "nah yeah".

Music & Community Highlights

Between interview segments, we feature a curated selection of music, including:

• Avani’s Picks: Nostalgic tracks like Paranthene Penne and All Thotta Boopathi from the movie Youth.
• Varshini’s Picks: Modern hits such as Mattakalappu by Ratty Adhiththan and Commit from Think Indie.
• Spotlight Segments: We discuss the latest in current affairs and highlight music from Ondraga Originals and the upcoming Thaman Concert.

Tune in for the full experience and follow us on socials at @TamilInMelbourne_syn for more updates!