Recently, a popular cafe in Kochi cancelled a stand-up comedy show at the last minute because the owner thought it would ruin the joint’s reputation. In Kerala, not many know what a stand-up comedy is, as it is vastly different from a comedy show you see during prime-time on TV. In Mumbai, Bengaluru or Chennai, one pays to watch a stand-up comedy show, to laugh one’s lungs out.
“In a world where money stops to exist, will you go to your job tomorrow”. This was the meme which made George Vivian Paul quit his job as civil engineer, and venture into something different. For George, his true call was risky and less stable. “I have a job now where I am obligated to make people laugh,” begins George.
One of the few stand-up comedians in Kerala, George is all set to stage his stand-up comedy scene here, under the banner of Kochin Komedians, a sister branch of Kolkata Komedians. He also organises stand-up comedy shows on busy streets, thus making him the first street comic to be recognised.
“In stand-up comedy, the content makes all the difference. It takes the organic route to bring humour even in a serious situation. Say, for the gruesome murder of the Perambavoor girl, I try to bring humour in it. But, that doesn’t mean I am ridiculing it. I am pointing out a situation that can wake people up through a humorous approach,” said George. But, doesn’t that disturb people? “I am a modern-day jester and I have no intention to make people comfortable through my jokes. Through that, we try to gauge the audience,” explains George.
