Comedian Vidura Bandara Rajapaksa is wondering what comes next
Comedian Vidura Bandara Rajapaksa discusses how obtaining permanent residency in the U.K. has shifted his comedic perspective. He reflects on moving away from the 'immigrant struggle' as a primary source of his material.
Why it matters
This profile explores the intersection of personal identity, legal status, and creative output for artists who build their careers on specific cultural experiences.
Being a Sri Lankan while living in the U.K. has shaped the comedic perspective of Vidura Bandara Rajapaksa. “But only really because that is my situation,” he said. His experience as an immigrant living in a Western country felt like he was under constant scrutiny and surveillance, to the point that it affected his personality and his stand-up. Everything changed last September when he got a permanent resident card. “I can feel myself slowly unclenching,” Rajapaksa said. With his residency not being linked to a job, Rajapaksa felt like he could “f— up.” There’s no longer a weight on his shoulders. There was a sense of freedom that overtook some of his angry feelings. “I still carry all of the grumpiness from being from the old country as well.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in