Hey Bru, tune us one joke here, please man

Muthu Murugan has, over three decades, become affectionately known as the Indian King of Comedy

WITH more than 30 years in the business and an international following, Muthu Murugan has earned the title King of Indian Comedy.

From teaching to Mc’ing, battling alcohol addiction and coming out on top, Murugan has lived a storied life.

Today he is widely regarded as one of South Africa’s funniest and better known comedians.

Born in Umzinto and raised in Chatsworth, he describes himself as a typical child. “I was naughty, but in a nice way,” he says.

“We were brought up differently from today’s children. The whole community brought us up. We played ball on the streets. We stole mangos from neighbour’s yards.

“We made our own caves. We stole items from home to cook in the bush and broke neighbours’ windows. I was entertaining people from the age of 12.”

Despite a natural gift for making people laugh, Murugun pursued a career in education, working as a teacher.

However, he soon found himself disillusioned with the system. “I wanted to be a teacher and I achieved my aim. The first school I taught at was Drakensberg High in Estcourt.

“But I resigned from teaching because education was regressing and I still believe it is. We were teaching pupils to remember and not to think.”

Returning to performing, Murugun began to MC events and Mauritius and Zambia, and to an audience of more than 25000 at the Coca-cola Dome, Murugun has learned some lessons.

“You are nothing without people,” he tells me. “Never underestimate your audience’s intelligence.

“People who come to comedy shows are the easiest to entertain because they know what they came for. If you can entertain a function audience, then you are good because the people come with different mindsets.

“Many people don’t treat entertainers as professionals – except in the corporate world. Good humour is universal. People marvel at an intelligent comedian.”

Murugun’s life, however, hasn’t always been filled with laughter.

“I’m a recovering alcoholic,” he says, “25 years sober. I run my own rehab centre in Port Shepstone with three others and we don’t charge a cent. Our success rate is 72%.

“I will continue to help people in need, for I believe the aim of all religion is to love and serve.”

Married in 1982, Murugan celebrated 34 years of marriage, until his wife, Rhoda-ann, died in November last year.

“After 34 years of marriage, losing a life partner is painful. It’s a pain I’ll die with. She supported my career with a lover’s envy.”

Amid the heartache and struggle with addiction, Murugun clings to a belief in love and laughter.

“Comedy is everywhere – you just need to look,” he says. “I don’t base my comedy on the behavioural patterns of race groups, but on issues.

“Durban audiences have changed for the better, but they’re hard to entertain at functions. Experience is my advantage. I’ve seen acts that failed.”

“Some people believe I am rude, crude and shrewd. At times they refer to me as ‘infamous’,” he says.

“But there are those who tell me that after so many years in the game I’m still the best.

“They say: ‘You are like fine wine; the older you get, the better you become – your performance was awesome’.”

But the worst, he says, is when someone stops you on the road to somewhere and says: “Bru, tune one joke there.”