Whether your social life is ‘LIT’ or not; everyone needs a breather to break away, and switch off from the rut. And, what better way to unwind than laughing your stress away? Don’t you agree that a hearty laughter-session is all you need to brighten up a dull day? Well, since we know the answer, it shouldn’t be hard to note how the trend of LOL-fests and comedy collectives is gaining momentum in the city. We take a deeper look at what makes the idea tick among young city folk and comics...
What it means for those in the business: “Comedy festivals are always good for the scene because it gives the opportunity for the audience of one comic to overlap with the other and everyone benefits from it.
Some of the festivals will sustain and become something that international artists will want to be part of,” begins Sumukhi Suresh, a popular stand-up comic. In comedy, in India, there is a general tendency for people or event organisers to give established names a try. Fests and collectives help quash that, believes stand-up comedienne Pooja Vijay. “Right now, the bigger guys are the ones who are usually approached. Fests give people a healthy mix, gives local comedians the chance to be on the lineup of an event, which would have 10 times the crowd as compared to a single gig. I would also say that comedy shows are great because you have sponsors / large number of people willing to put money into the festival which they will not be willing to do unless you’re very famous. So, other than exposure, it’s a great way to build a community or rather a concept where stand-up comics are given their due and on time!” Dr Jagdish Chaturvedi, a stand-up comic, who recently won the Silver Button Reward for crossing 100,
000 subscribers on his YouTube channel believes in the authenticity of the format of comedy festivals. “No other format is this direct and personal and I feel it should be encouraged. Comedy fests and events are a great way to laugh about things that you always felt but could never say. And you have a lot of people trying to help you do that. That too in a funny way.”
Weighing the pros and cons: For young Bengalureans, the concept gives them an option to see whom to bank their money on, the next time. “Given how easy it is for someone to get publicity, I really feel most of us end up paying up for the wrong show or rather an overhyped comic! When you attend a fest, it’s easier to sit around for a bit longer and find out for yourself about which show to go for. More characters on stage can build a more fun ambience (making it a smarter option in terms of spending your time and money) than a single gig,” states Brunda Gowda, a fashion designer. For Vishnu Ramakrishnan, a data scientist, the fact that multiple perspectives are offered on a platter is what motivates him to place his bet on comedy collectives. “I think it’s great because most comedians today are smart, well-read and clued in on things. So, most of their scripts or content reflect on the current situation of our surroundings and a comedy fest is ideal as it gives you multiple views on a topics.”
