He may be one of Singapore’s most famous and recognisable personalities, but where he lives, Kumar is relishing the fact that he’s just another plain ol’ heartlander. We’re seated at the void deck of a block of flats (courtesy of the Housing Development Board) in the USA (that’s Upper Serangoon Area), and the comedian is feeling right at home — literally. He bought a flat upstairs a year ago.

“They people all know I stay here, but the wonderful thing is they let me be. They give me my privacy. It’s keeping me grounded and I like this feeling,” he said.

It may seem surprising to associate Kumar, the sometimes outlandish comedian, with heartland living. But two years ago, Kumar made up his mind to move away from the hustle and bustle of living at Orchard Road.

“I told myself I didn’t what this whole expensive lifestyle, because I don’t just window shop, I buy the whole window,” he quipped.

He began his so-called austerity measures by renting a place in Ang Mo Kio. Then, after a quick check in his CPF account, he decided it was time to own a flat. He began scouting around and found the perfect neighbourhood.

He hasn’t told his neighbours just yet, but he’ll be spreading good neighbourly vibes across his housing estate next month, with a show titled Kumar’s Living Together for the Singapore International Festival Of Arts. Produced by Kumar, the stand-up comedy show will feature four other fellow performers — Koh Chieng Mun, Sharul Channa, Zaliha Hamid and Shane Mardjuki — who will be talking about life in the heartlands. It will debut in Upper Serangoon before travelling to other venues in Tampines, Marsiling and Jurong East.

“For the longest time, I wanted to bring my comedy to the heartlanders,” he explained. “Performing at the Esplanade and the clubs are good, but not everybody goes to the clubs. And for some of the heartlanders, to hear that a show will be at the heartlands is like, ‘Okay, I have to wear nice-nice ... ’”

But just what can one expect for his heartland shows? For one thing, it’s not going to simply be a reprise of his recent shows. In fact, when it comes to Kumar’s Living Together programme, it’s not so much about “wearing nice-nice” but playing nice with one another.

“I’m going to talk about issues we’re going through,” he said, before elaborating: “It’s all about the kampung spirit and the different races living together. We’ve lost that whole neighbourhood feel because everybody is so busy in their own worlds they forget to say ‘hi’ (to one another). Some don’t even know who their direct neighbour is, you know?

“We need to get back that kampung spirit before we totally lose it,” he added.

“We”, of course, is the operative word here. Kumar really feels he is a part of where he lives now. Indeed, ask him what he feels about his estate and he gushes enthusiastically about it.

“You have everything here: A 24-hour NTUC, a TCM (traditional Chinese medicine) clinic below my block — doctors and clinics meant for the pioneer generation ... If I want to cook Indian food, I just go across the road to an Indian shop that sells spices. There’s a Chinese temple in front and a mosque nearby, the police post is just down there ... I’m near a provision shop and I’ve got a town council right below; so if I want to complain, I just walk down and complain!” he said.

The amenities and convenience are just part of what makes living in the heartlands special for Kumar. At the end of the day, what really makes a community are its people.

There’s an “old school feel” in his neighbourhood that the comedian treasures a lot. “I’m very friendly with my direct neighbour,” he shared. “I cook for them, they cook for me. They sometimes help look after my house — nobody can pass theirs and reach mine without them knowing who it is. It’s so safe.”

He added: “Even the aunties come up to me and ask, ‘Eh, Kumar, tak kerja?’ (not working today?) The coffee shop ladies who sell chicken rice below — they’re so friendly. They always ask, ‘Eh, how are you?’ or ‘You just woke up?’

“You have these people who try to hold on to that (community spirit), which I really appreciate. So I also make an effort to try and talk to them,” he said.

Since he has been a bona fide heartlander, a veritable heartland homie, for a couple of years now, we just had to ask: Does he have some kind of “survival tips” on living in the heartlands?

You don’t need one, he said. “I think, if we are true to ourselves, we are all heartlanders,” he said. “Singapore was a kampung. Anyone can stay in an HDB flat — it’s just whether you can come to terms with yourself.

“We are what makes Singapore.”

Kumar’s Living Together will be held at 7.30pm on Aug 6, at the multi-purpose hall, Block 464, Upper Serangoon Road. Other shows on Aug 8 (Tampines Festival Park, Tampines Street 21 between Blocks 254 and 257); Aug 13 (amphitheatre, Block 204, Marsiling Drive) and Aug 15 (Community Plaza, Jurong East Street 32, between Blocks 312 and 316). Admission for all shows is free.

The Singapore International Festival Of Arts 2015 runs from Aug 6 to Sept 19. For more details, visit http://sifa.sg/sifa/