Laugh out loud — or not!

Sanjay Manaktala

That fateful experience for me happened almost four years ago. For the last two, I’ve been working with a group of other comics in Bangalore.

Being on stage between two and six times a week requires determination, guts, and above everything a willingness to put your dignity on the table. Being funny comes later.

My own experience started in Los Angeles, where I got into the art after seeing folks on TV and thinking I could do better.

I can’t deny that I also wanted to satisfy my innate human desire for attention (Let’s be honest — everybody craves recognition). I drove two hours to the first place that would allow someone like me (i.e., somebody with absolutely no experience on a stage) a chance. In my case, it was a pizza restaurant.

After a good 30 seconds of laughter followed by four minutes of utter silence, I realised this was, no pun intended, not a joke. But despite the shaky and unglamorous start, I — like most of the people who venture into this field — was hooked. Coffee shops, restaurants, loud pubs and clubs, networking events — wherever and whoever would let me in to be a part of their world, I took a chance.

And that’s what most comedians do. After you get over the stage fright, after your friends have stopped watching your shows, you have to work for any opportunity you can get. And that is where they say that the journey sometimes becomes more important than the destination. You find out what works and what doesn’t, your jokes start to get more laughter and more importantly, they get better. Sometimes they don’t even come off as jokes, as I internalised what Don Ward, the founder of the worldwide Comedy Store, said to me after I didn’t have a great show: “Remember, in comedy, less is more.” Get straight to the point, make them laugh in as little time as possible, as often as possible, and they will love you for it.

Not even a year ago, there were maybe a handful (literally, maybe five) of folks who were serious about the art of stand-up in India.

That has changed largely due to an influx of people who take it seriously, the establishment of The Comedy Store in Bombay and Bacchus in Bangalore. Indian audiences are finding that the truth is funny, and it doesn’t just need to be told to them by Jerry Seinfeld or Chris Rock.

That same level of intelligent but energetic comedy, when applied to the Indian way of life, has resonated with packed audiences, TV shows and feature films.

In just one year, the number of comedians, defined as people who earn a living wage from this, has tripled.

Combined with the Indian need for variety and a love of imports, the volume of funny is turning into a mini-IT boom (Satyam leadership is involved in our comedy bubble as well).

Long gone are the days where in India, being a comedian meant you were in that Bollywood induced notion of mimicry.

A comedian’s blood, sweat and tears are actually spent behind the curtains, day after day, writing down premises and eventual routines that touch upon the reality of daily life. And that’s what an ever increasing Indian audience is looking for. The average comedy patron is between the ages of 21 and 40, well versed in the absurdities around him and very aware of western pop culture. Some of the biggest laughs come from jokes that didn’t flow well initially — but have found a nice, cosy fit among the comedy patrons of Bandra in Bombay or the UB City cappuccino drinking crowd of Bangalore. Although these crowds are supportive and generous to giving you their ear, rest assured they can quickly gauge funny from farce.

Steve Martin once said, “Only the truth is funny.” And Indians love being called out, sans material on religion and poverty (which, if a comedian does his homework, can still be presented in a funny yet respectful way).

As the art form is still in its infancy but growing stronger each week, comedians are learning what works what will still take time. Although Louis CK may not get away with saying he hates his kids at a Page 3 show in Delhi, the audiences are quickly getting past the obvious jokes around sex, marriage and funny accents.

And as that day draws near, get ready for an influx of fresh talent to keep the masses coming back for more.