Chennai: Gone was their stress as celebrated stand-up comedian Kenny Sebastian tickled the funny bones of students and regaled them with his improvised music at the SRM Institute of Science and Technology at suburban Kattankulathur on Saturday.
"Guys and gals don't stress because you will be great," the cool humourist said strumming his guitar and singing of something as commonplace as "I am waking up, standing, sitting on a chair and dreaming another dream". "I will not move to the washroom and spare you the flushing," he said making fun of some pedestrian western music that was catching on in India. The message to students was to find their own internal rhythm and look for answers within themselves. "The problem is most people look outside for solutions," he said.
The 45-minute show which had over 5,000 students giggling and laughing as they hung on his every comma and full stop, regarding tall boys and short girls, chappals and high heels, had an underlying sobering theme of not getting stressed up whether students were studying engineering, science, technology or arts. "I have a degree in painting and sculpture." he said quickly adding, "And a Ph.D in 'Disappointment' evoking peals of laughter.
Kenny Sebastian
Life comes in positives and negatives but it is important to be honest and work hard without losing your sense of humour, he said emphasising the importance of mental health.
Swaying on to the stage arms held out as wings simulating a touchdown by an aeroplane, Kenny made an instant connect with them asking where he should stand, at the centre or on one flank. A girl student shouted "I love you Kenny" and pat came the response, "I don't know you; you might be crazy. But I am just joking, I love you too, so sweet of you."
Another rib tickler was, "Hum Theen Honge Paanch" (We three will become five) taking a dig at the country's rising population. "It does not matter what you say, just make it sound nice," he added. Alluding to students who had gathered many hours in advance of his arrival at the auditorium, Kenny had them exploding with his remark, "Hope you took a bathroom break".
The Kenny Sebastian show was the highlight of the day-long 'Jhalak' cultural event at SRM campus. It also brought the smiles to the faces of the faculty and administrators at SRM who have been taking various measures to address the problem of depression among students which has become a worldwide challenge on campuses. It was Kenny competing in time and space with academicians, administrators, scientists and medical experts to engage students in an entirely off-academia experience.
"I felt inspired by the Kenny show; made me realise life's fun and any setback is just temporary if I can reach to within myself and pull the plug of depression out and off." Samraj Singh Khokar, a second year student said.
Said Ayush Rao, another student, "Basically what I thought of Kenny's show was how by just being funny and observing simple things can make you conquer any blues that might have hit you, either in the campus or at home. Now I will begin to enjoy what I do".
