Punjabi Wabi Sabi

Fringe 2026

Punjabi Wabi Sabi

Bollywood meets Breaking Bad? What if Saddam Hussein had a love child with Britney Spears?

Hilarious storytelling, Punjabi Wabi Sabi is an irreverant, autobiographical and moving stand-up show by Tahina Awan: a middle-aged, delinquent, perverted, first-generation Canadian Muslim woman born in small town B.C in the 70's.

Growing up GenX is hard - especially when you’re a Muslim girl, and you don’t want anyone to know! Join us as we follow our ill-behaved and sexually repressed narrator as she attempts to reconcile her identity amidst racism, self-rejection, deep trauma and raging hormones. Oh, and the 1980's.

Packed with confessions, surprises, Robin Williams-esque accents and life lessons, this is a story about how the human spirit rages against it’s cages, how we are basically all the same with different packaging, and how we are perhaps more perfect because we're all fucked up.

Reviews from last year's Edmonton Journal:

"A fun and entertaining one-hour comedy set from an expressive performer."

"Punjabi Wabi Sabi lets a vibrant performer shine"

Back by popular demand, you don't want to miss this gut busting romp through culture clash-ville - you'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll mysteriously crave butter chicken!

Written & performed by Vancouver based clown, TV/Film/stage actor and comedian, Tahina Awan, recently spotted in Hallmark's Two for Tee, teaching Mask at the Vancouver Film School and on stages as her alter ego, Baba Bibiji.

Plain Language Description

Growing up as a Gen X kid is hard - especially when you're a Muslim girl in a small town in BC, and you're trying to hide it! Join our rebellious and awkward narrator, as she faces racism, self-doubt, past trauma, and all the chaos of growing up in the 1980s.

Full of humour, surprises, unforgettable voices, and heartfelt insights, this story reminds us that we're more alike than we think. Our flaws and struggles are part of what make us who we are.