‘RADIKA’ from Parika Backdam is actually named Carollene Leza Singh and though she grew up in Parika, she is not from the backdam. The 27-year-old comedian had no idea that she would be stuck with this name for the rest of her career but she certainly doesn’t mind it. 

She wrote a script for the ‘Mori J’ Von Comedy Jam’ and the character’s name was Radika from Parika Backdam. She didn’t write it with the intention of playing the part but she ended up being cast in the role and that’s how she was left with the name. Radika is now known throughout Guyana and is one of the most loved and appreciated comedians.
Known especially for using an Indian Creole accent, Radika is proud of the fact that she is the only Indian female in Guyana at this point who performs standup comedy. Aside from this, her work can be seen in the popular ‘Nothing to Laugh About’ and ‘Uncensored.’
Radika attended Greenwich Park Primary School and after writing Common Entrance, went to St Roses High where she also completed sixth form. She pressed on to the University of Guyana where she obtained a degree in economics.

She worked for relatively short periods at the Ministries of Finance and Home Affairs before auditioning for Mori J’ Von Comedy Jam which she credits for bringing her out into theatre. Then there was ‘Uncensored’ which led her into standup comedy. “So Mori J’ Von gave me my acting career. Stand-up comedy is a whole different arena all by itself. I think it is one of the hardest art forms that exist right now, at least in Guyana.”
“Drama was always something I wanted to do. I love drama, I love acting, and I love comedy. Mori J’ Von created an opportunity for me to actually do it because the other shows were already established and had their cast members so for you to come out of the blue and start acting, it was very difficult at that point in time,” Radika expressed in an interview at the Chronicle recently.
But even before Mori J’ Von, her confidence to go on stage and do certain things was boosted in church where she grew up participating in drama.
Radika said she doesn’t know why people appreciate her humour. “I think people just like stupidness. I try to be realistic with my comedy and most of my

jokes come from what actually happens and I don’t even think people know that. They think I’m just talking stupidness on stage. Most of my jokes are true. It might be slightly exaggerated but majority of them is true. Its things people tell me or things I would have experienced growing up.”
She said it’s good to know when people appreciate the work of local entertainers because the acting fraternity at present is quite difficult to endure. “Obviously you are not paid enough for what you do because when you calculate the time it takes to go to rehearsals; you have to turn up for rehearsals practically every day for acting. If you calculate your transportation, food for dinner, and then the amount of money you get, it doesn’t work out. But we do it because we love the arts and we love to do it. So that’s the only reason I’m in it; for the love of it,” Radika related.
In fact, she said production work in Guyana is very difficult. “The expenses are exorbitant. Guyana is starved for entertainment. We are more foreign minded than anything else. The foreign artistes come in and we flock them and when our local artistes are there we don’t show them any appreciation.”
However, she does plan to stage a production as soon as she can raise money in the form of some sponsorship. Furthermore, she is hoping to start a drama class in Parika in January for the kids in that area.

Always Fresh

Radika said a good comedian would have excellent timing and would need to know just how to put over his/her jokes. He/she also has to be spontaneous and know how to make adjustments on stage, especially with standup comedy.
“At times you write something and expect people to laugh and then they don’t and then you have to quickly adjust. I think very quickly. When I am on stage, I don’t think too much. It just comes. It comes naturally. It’s probably a gift,” she said.
Furthermore, Radika likes to keep it “fresh” on each occasion that she performs so that her audience will never hear one of her jokes repeated by her.
Radika believes in hard work to achieve what is desired. “Work for what you want. Nobody else will give it to you. I believe if you want something, go after it. There’s nothing like a free lunch; there is always strings attached to something. That’s deep. It’s true though.”
Guys: Radika is looking for a rich husband. “I’m looking at prospects. Times are hard!”

(By Telesha Ramnarine)