A tiny platform in a small theater at an extravagant mall in Mumbai, the spotlight is thrown directly on the orator, a huge cackling mouth as a part of the logo of the theater in the backdrop. For a change, the gentleman on the stage holding microphone receives a blast of chuckling and applauses instead of offended abuses, as he begins to crush another holy belief or make fun of another community.
This was the scenario of a stand-up comedy event, where comedians cracked jokes and audience instead of getting offended or touchy, laughed. Yes, simple. we have finally realised that sometimes being laughed at is not just okay, it’s hilarious!
If we go back in time, around 10 years back, the situation in the theater would not have been the same, rather it would have been unbelievable. India is not very adjustable to humor, we as Indians take offence whenever we get an opportunity to, we are programmed to think that the things we believe in, like religion or race (mostly not even things we believe in, just things running in the DNA of our family or community and we, by the virtue of being a part of it, are bound to believe in them) are more important than most things, in some cases even lives of fellow humans.
India is not very adjustable to humor, we as Indians take offence whenever we get an opportunity to, we are programmed to think that the things we believe in, like religion or race (mostly not even things we believe in, just things running in the DNA of our family or community and we, by the virtue of being a part of it, are bound to believe in them) are more important than most things, in some cases even lives of fellow humans.
But fortunately, time is changing and so in the perception of people regarding humor. We have somehow learned to take jokes, we go to comedy shows, sit in front rows, get insulted (for the fun of it) and come back home laughing.
Stand-up comedy is the latest trend in the country, especially in metro cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore. Stand-up comedians are considered no less than celebrities, and more often than not, are more popular among youth than most second notch Bollywood artists.