Hyderabad: Artiste whose forte is Hyderabadi comedy, see a bleak future for this specialised art form on stage and other live performance concerts. The stage shows, they say, are dropping every year and Hyderabadi comedy, acclaimed the world over, will die soon, owing to lack of support from the government. “Organisers are not coming forward to conduct a show, the cost of which is around Rs 50,000 to Rs 60,000. As a result, live shows have drastically come down over the last two years,” said Khairuddin Baig Jani, popularly known as KB Jani, a Hyderabadi comedy artiste.
Several prominent humorists, including Hamed Rasheed, Munawar Ali, Mustafa Ali, Daulat Ram, Hamed Kamal, Khader Shareef, Subhani, Daulat Ram, Kamaal Raza and Misbahuddin, from Hyderabad are famous for their satires. Babaan Khan with his family humour drama ‘Aadrak ke Panje’ is a legend, having performed this drama for decades in India and abroad.
“There is a huge audience for it and whatever limited stage performances we do, it is always before a packed auditorium. Albeit, these are organised only when we get a sponsor as the public is not ready to pay '300 and buy a ticket,” said Mr Jani. Munawar Ali, another Hyderabad-based comedian of yesteryears, feels, that ‘Hyderabadi comedy’ is not getting support from government though it is an integral part of the city.
There was a time in what seems like the distant past now, when NRIs mostly from Hyderabad invited the artists to the United States, Australia, United Kingdom and the Middle East, to perform their best dramas. “This is no longer the case. It could be because of a new genre of comedy in Hyderabadi films. It may also be because of losing patronage for the standup comedian,” says Mr Hamed Kamaal, a much acclaimed comedian. In the past, audio cassettes with the Hyderabadi humour were a great hit with the Gulf countries being a huge market. Slowly the audio industry paved the way for Hyderabadi comedy film. “But this could not catch the public’s interest like the stage shows and audio cassettes did in 1980s and 90s. Now social media is taking over and individual artiste are not getting much recognition,” said Mr Kamal.
Urdu humour: GES, Metro focus of ‘Zinda Dilan-e-Hyderabad’:
The Urdu humour lovers laughed full-throated at the ‘Zinda Dilan-e-Hyderabad,’ annual event in the city. Eminent humorists or ‘mizahia shayers’ from across the country enthralled the gathering with their satire. The visit of Ms Ivanka Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the city and the improved civic conditions was the highlight of the event.
The poets minced no words connecting the poor road conditions prior to the overnight refurbishing of the city for the visit of the American President’s daughter. As expected, hundreds of humour lovers from across the city gathered for the annual conference conducted in three sessions All India Mizahia Mushaira, Adabi Ijlas and Mahfile Latifa Goi.
Humorous concerts are usually a big draw in the city since there is plenty to laugh about. “The event occupies a special place in the hearts of Hyderabadis. People from across the city and adjoining districts make a point to attend it. “Through the event we provide a platform for young poets,” said Mr Aleem Khan Falqi, member of Zinda Dilan -e- Hyderabad club, that is organising the conference. Poets rendered their compositions revolving around wife and mother-in-law, the present political scenario in the country, the NDA government and ‘gau rakshak’ amongst other topics.
Those who regaled the audience included Muzaffar Ali Baig, Daulat Ram, Hamed Kamal, Dr Mohd Rafth Ali and Dr Aleem Khan Falki. Humorists from across the country also participated. The Zinda Dilan-e-Hyderabad has also been publishing a monthly satire magazine ‘Shugoofa’ for the last 50 years and it is the only magazine on satire in the country that is published on a regular basis.
