Samson Koletkar, aka Mahatma Moses, is the world’s only Indian Jewish stand-up comedian. A techie turned comic, he blends Indian heritage, Jewish roots, and American life into sharp, witty comedy that connects with diverse audiences.
Named one of BookMyShow’s “10 Best Indian-Origin Comedians of the Last Decade” and Silicon India’s “10 Indian Comedians Who Found Success in the U.S.,” Samson has performed across the U.S., Canada, and India, with appearances at major festivals including SF Sketchfest, Just for Laughs Vancouver, Twin Cities Jewish Humor Festival, and SF Comedy Day. He’s been featured on NPR, NBC, NDTV, The Times of India, and jWeekly. He was a semi-finalist in the Seattle International Comedy Competition, and a quarter-finalist in both the San Francisco Comedy Competition and the Great Canadian Laugh Off.
Beyond his solo career, Samson is a vital force in the comedy community. He founded Comedy Oakland in 2009, a weekly showcase hailed by the San Francisco Chronicle as a “comedy utopia in Oakland,” and a multiple-time winner of “Best Comedy Night” in the East Bay Express Reader’s Poll. He is also the visionary co-creator of Desi Comedy Fest, the biggest South Asian comedy festival in America.
Samson has been a featured performer on several acclaimed tours that have traveled across North America, including You’re Funny But You Don’t Look Jewish, Funatical Comedy Tour, Pundits with Punchlines, Make Chai Not War, and Sultans of Satire.
Known for his likeable on-stage persona and sharp observational humor, Samson crafts long-form jokes filled with clever callbacks—leaving audiences entertained, inspired, and laughing long after the show ends.
*Please note, this event is independently organized and not sponsored by the City of Pleasanton.
