HE'S sharp, sarcastic, and gloriously risqué — but mention Kumarason Chinnadurai and you might get blank stares. No worries though, because he's simply known as Kumar. Whether as a comedian, drag queen or as he cheekily calls himself: "Ah Kua Man," a superhero with flamboyant flair, the Singaporean comedian needs no introduction.
Mention "Kumar" and you'll see every Malaysian and Singaporean's face light up in recognition.
They'll grin, maybe chuckle and quite possibly look a bit guilty — like they're recalling a joke they definitely weren't supposed to laugh at... but did. Because let's face it, Kumar has that effect — you're laughing before you even realise what hit you, and you're left wondering if you should feel bad about it.
Always a crowd favourite in Malaysia, Kumar's latest 'Beats, Rhymes & Punchlines' tour recently concluded its Kuala Lumpur shows and is now set to dazzle audiences in Johor Baru and East Malaysia.
Despite the miserable weather and traffic snarls around Bukit Bintang, throngs of Malaysians made their way to Mega Star Arena at Sungei Wang Plaza, determined not to miss the comedian in action.
COLOURFUL PERFORMANCE
The night kicked off on a high note as Farid Azmeir had the crowd in stitches, joking about being the "obligatory Malay quota," while Prakash Daniel brought the house down with his witty take on racial profiling. Both comedians delivered laugh-out-loud performances, setting the perfect stage for Kumar's headlining act.
Kumar, along with his back-up dancers from Mast Millennium Dancers, made a spectacular entrance, and from that moment on, it was no-holds-barred. The comedian effortlessly unleashed his unique blend of observational humour, sharp social commentary, infectious energy and larger-than-life stage presence to drive home the laughter.
As he later shares with me during a phone interview: "I know what works. I've been doing this long enough to understand what gets people laughing. I draw heavily from everyday observations and my own life experiences to craft material that resonates with the audience. And, trust me, I know when to censor myself and stop before going too far — timing is everything in comedy."
The renowned comedian who usually performs in drag didn't miss a chance to remind us with his signature wry and caustic humour, about how authorities across the Causeway (yes, that's us) were a tad strict with his dress code, enforcing a firm "no" on his beloved glittery gowns.
But, in classic Kumar style, he didn't miss a beat — hot pink rapper tracks and a blindingly bright red pantsuit? Absolutely fabulous with just the right amount of rebellious flair.
The rapier-wit comedian's nod to the 80s and 90s had me reminiscing about the good old days of rotary phones, VHS tapes and cassette players. Remember when your boyfriend would make you a mixtape filled with love songs? Or how we had to actually load the video tape into the player and press play ourselves? It feels almost surreal that we lived through those times, and Kumar had us laughing at just how far we've come.
LOVE AND LAUGHTER
Despite the caustic humour and hilarious punchlines, there was an underlying sentiment that wove its way through the show. One particularly touching moment was Kumar's tribute to his pets, especially his late dog, Oreo. "You all have friends and family," he said, his usual sharp tone softening. "But your pets? They have nobody. They only love you."
Then there were those other pithy nuggets of advice Kumar wove seamlessly through the show. "Never expect anything from anyone — do it yourself!" he quipped, followed by another gem: "Find something that makes you happy. Even if it's less money, at least you're satisfied. It's not about being rich, it's about being happy."
Beneath the biting wit and world-weary sarcasm, there's a surprising softness that cuts through all the acidity. "Life is already hard enough," he tells me. "Mental health is so important. I don't know what people are going through out there, but I can share what I've been through and what I've observed over the years. If that helps someone, then it's worth saying. Sometimes people need to hear these things."
When asked what role humour plays in breaking down societal barriers, especially in a multicultural society like Singapore or Malaysia, he responds simply: "Learn to laugh at yourself. When you can laugh at yourself, it becomes so much easier to come together as a society."
And it was evident that night.
As people from all walks of life came together to laugh, in true multiracial Malaysian fashion, led by a man in hot pink, it was a reminder that humour has the power to transcend differences.
And if it took a couple of risqué jokes to make a point, why ever not? Sometimes, it's the boldest humour that leaves the deepest impact — reminding us that laughter, in all its forms, is a language we all understand.