“We wanted to create our own space, where Dalit comics can get enough stage time to explore who they are and express themselves,” says Manaal Patil, curator of Blue Material, a standup comedy set led by all Dalit comedians. “Blue Material gives us an incentive and freedom to think about Dalit comedy and we could develop our jokes in-sync with our thoughts,” he adds.

Not many had watched a Dalit comedian talk openly about their identity on stage and challenge the upper-caste narrative on reservation with a comedic brilliance until 2020, when Manaal Patil’s short clip surfaced on Twitter and was appreciated by many. This was also at a time when the platform was hosting heated debates on caste in Indian comedy and some of India’s well-known comedians were called out for the sexist and casteist nature of their jokes.