Comedian Tarang Hardikar Wins Actually Autistic Award at Edinburgh Fringe
Pune-born stand-up comedian Tarang Hardikar has been awarded the Actually Autistic Award at the fifth Neurodiverse Review Awards during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe for his solo special, If I’m Not Wrong.
What Happened
The honour was announced during the final week of the month-long Edinburgh Festival Fringe, recognized globally as one of the largest performing arts festivals. Hardikar’s show was shortlisted alongside three other productions: Other by Rohan Ashar, That’s Ace by Jonathan Brace, and Out of Fashion Theatre Co’s Disciples of Anatomy.
The 29-year-old comedian’s special initially began under the title Line is not a Line, consisting of observations regarding physical lines. Over time, Hardikar adapted the concept into a broader narrative drawn from his childhood and reflections on his autism diagnosis, which he received as a teenager and began understanding more fully as an adult while pursuing comedy.
Key Highlights
- Award Recognition: Hardikar won the Actually Autistic Award at the fifth Neurodiverse Review Awards, which celebrate neurodivergent and differently abled artists at the Fringe.
- Show Development: Initially based purely on observations about lines, If I’m Not Wrong evolved into an autobiographical hour incorporating childhood reflections and stage props, including a sketchbook.
- Artistic Background: Known for deadpan delivery and wordplay, Hardikar began his performance background in college theatre clubs doing silent physical comedy sketches before performing his first open mic at a Pune cafe in 2018.
- Festival Routine: Performing across the month-long Edinburgh run provided Hardikar the opportunity to refine his material daily and establish a consistent creative routine.
Why This Matters
The Neurodiverse Review Awards provide a dedicated platform to spotlight neurodivergent and differently abled performers at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, offering categories such as the ADHD Comedy Award, Deaf Action Deaf Excellence Award, and Outstanding Visually Impaired Award. For Hardikar, comedy has served as a therapeutic medium to overcome off-stage shyness, share personal experiences regarding neurodivergence, and form relatable connections with audiences.
What to Watch Next
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe continues through August 31. Beyond his live festival run, Hardikar has noted a shift toward pacing his digital content creation selectively rather than adhering to rigid social media upload schedules.
Frequently Asked Questions
What award did Tarang Hardikar win at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe?
Hardikar won the Actually Autistic Award at the fifth Neurodiverse Review Awards for his stand-up special, If I’m Not Wrong.
What is the premise of the show ‘If I’m Not Wrong’?
The show incorporates observations about lines alongside autobiographical stories of Hardikar’s childhood, schooling, and his experiences following an autism diagnosis, utilizing a sketchbook on stage.
When did Tarang Hardikar begin stand-up comedy?
Hardikar transitioned from college physical theatre sketches to stand-up comedy, performing his first open mic in 2018 at a cafe in Pune.
Source: The Hindu