Mono Act to Stand-up Comedy
Anubhutya Satyameva Jayate: Prasoon Joshi’s tribute to Raju Srivastav
‘Who will cry when you die?’
Who will laugh when you live?
Who will miss your laughter when you die?
‘Giver or Taker’? What is your legacy? Enduring legacy?
I was five years young when five of us first graders were on stage to do a standup act to a then popular film song. The occasion was the village school's annual day. The responsibility of the act was on a relative who was famous for his immense talent. We were well trained and fully prepared. At the end of the event, the uncle was happy with our performance, he told us and gave us an orange to each of us. Orange was not readily available in the village then, perhaps even now. Hence it was special. Years later, I realized I had no stage fear then. Never later. I have returned to the stage many times for various ‘performances,’ though never a performer. This uncle who put me on the stage then passed away recently. I always remembered him with gratitude.
In the debate of nature and nurture in leadership, I always maintained it is not either, but both and more. It takes an entire ecosystem for a leader to succeed. Leadership at an individual level or otherwise.
Later in high school, the sheer confidence to go on stage and perform prompted me to do a ‘mono act’, dance, sing, fancy dress, and even win prizes. The crowning glory was when we put up a skit in 10th grade, with guidance from an excellent local dramatist. What would have been a simple and silly skit turned out to be a great play. Thanks to the guidance of a mentor who was God sent.
At that time, it was the need to perform and also win prices. It was necessary for validation, external and self!
MonoAct to StandUp-Comedy: The good old mono-act is perhaps more popular as the western concept of ‘stand-up comedy.’ And one of the popular faces of it was Raju Srivastava. He still belonged to the generation of performers who did not depend on abusive language and vulgar jokes.
“Pehchan kaun” was the maximum they would go to…
When Prasoon Joshi pens an obituary for Raju, published by @TheEconomicTimes, it is a beautiful tribute to his enduring legacy.
“Raju had built a brand, but he didn’t even quite know it. He was immersed in the art, the science of it being a by-product,” writes Prasoon.
I met him long back at the airport. Usually, I just avoid all the celebrities. But to him, I went up and exchanged pleasantries, got him to sign behind the boarding card for my son. He did that graciously.
“He was the brand ambassador of authenticity and the power it holds”
