 at a workshop by artist John Baby (left) at the art room of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale in December.jpg.image.160.84.jpg)
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I have been the butt-of-ridicule on several occasions. Then again, it is indeed an inert ability to ridicule oneself with as much enthusiasm as mocking a stranger.
Confused? Well, this is the true essence of stand-up comedy.
Stand-up comedy is more than a mere skill. It demands a great deal of observation and spontaneity. This was depicted in the show staged at JT PAC on Friday. One could term the programme to be an interesting blend of wit and entertainment in every sense.
(Left to right) Praveen Kumar, Vikash Paul, Deepu Dileepan, Sundeep Rao. Hosted by popular comedian Sundeep Rao, the show lasted for a duration of approximately one and a half hours. The programme showcased the humourous sides of four other comic personalities as well – Vikash Paul, Sundeep Rao, Deepu Dileepan and Praveen Kumar. While Vikash hails from Kolkata, Sundeep and Praveen belong to Bangalore and Deepu lives in Chennai.
Sundeep Rao. File photoThe progamme was one of the smartest comedy presentations. At the outset, Vikash entertained his audiences with a set of funny tales. Then again, there wasn't anything particularly memorable. Sundeep, the host, adorned the role of the show's pacifier. Yes, he did leave the audience in splits after each act. The first half of the show had concluded with the comical styles of Deepu. While Deepu appeared to be more entertaining than Vikash, it remained rather low-key compared to the spurts of humour delivered by the host.
The second half of the show was as any fan of clichés would say – the icing on the cake. Not only did Sundeep liven up the environment, but also gave everybody a chance to twist their funny bones to a set of 'uniquely southern Indian' jokes by Praveen.
Sundeep threw some light on the 'brahmin way of life' and the hue and cry over foreign education among Indians. It was interesting to note how Sundeep had weaved several personal anecdotes (or so he claims) into his short acts on stage. Here is a peak into the Sundeep's life of humour and entertainment:
Praveen, a native of Kanchipuram who currently resides in Bangalore, introduced himself as the man with the shape 'zero.' Praveen spoke of several topics, including advertisements, screenplays in Tamil cinema and of the cartoons viewed by children today. Here is a peak into the funny sides of Praveen:
The acts were unique in several ways. To begin with, the topics of discussion were varied. Yes, it did have a 'dash' of sex talk, but the programme was primarily centred around a plethora of news. The jokes were refreshing indeed. It was a mixed bag of politics, sports, societal perceptions, and of course, the latest trends in music. The jokes were easily comprehensible and were well appreciated by the audiences. Each of the acts did involve a few members of the audience that added to charm of the show.
In the end, all I can is – nothing beats the power of humour. Not only am I 'pepped up' for the days to come, but I am also happier than before. The show was worth every penny spent.
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