Comedy Bandwagon

Today, for once, the entire session was conducted, from start to finish, by one person. Nahid Khan, Yusuf-bhai and Razia Khan were of course, there. But for some reason, Arora-sah’b wanted to conduct both the laughter rounds as well as the exercises all by himself.
Not that anybody had reasons to mind. Arora-sah’b was at his ebullient best, as usual picking on people from the moment he stepped into the Garden. At the dot of 7.00 when it was time to get ready for the morning’s proceedings, Kishor-bhai was the one to lead the chant, “Ram-Ram Bol, Krishna-Krishna Bol…”. Arora stopped in his tracks, pointed at him and mischievously quipped, “Bas, isko ek katora dena baki hai!”
The hint was clearly at Kishor-bhai having to sing for his supper since his wife (see last two posts) had denied him food in his house. And then, as if to drive home his point, Arora pleaded with Renu during the exercises: “Dekho bechara, kitna taarif kar raha hai aapki, phir bhi aap inko khana nahin deti.” At that point, the song, “Chaudvin ka chhand ho, ya aftab ho…” was playing on Kishor-bhai’s phone.
But all this was nothing comparable to the post-exercise session of jokes narration. It has to be said here that Kishor-bhai (above) has a fabulous collection of never-heard-before jokes which he has been entertaining us with, since the time Santoshi-ji left for Delhi last week. They may not be original, but Kishor-bhai has a style of narrating that makes them sound all very refreshing and hilarious.
Now, this is where he is different from Arora-sah’b or for that matter, Geeta Sandhana, Mrs Harbans Singh (left above), Kajal Babani (right), Nafisa Syed, etc. They too are incredibly funny since they are naturally gifted and think on their feet. Their jokes are not studied. The magic of their humour comes from reacting to situations, usually with sharp one-liners, an under-the-breath murmur or merely a deadpan expression. If comic timing can be learnt, it has to be from them.
Joining the comedy bandwagon now is a new entrant, Bhaswati Bose (left). Since yesterday, she has been complementing Kishor-bhai's jokes with her short, flighty narrations to round off the morning session. She too has a style which is proving to be popular. Seems like too many people are eager to usurp Santosh-ji’s position as ‘Jokes Narrator-in-Chief’.

Bhaswati Bose says:
Nobody can usurp Santosh-ji's position. Even old Santa-Banta jokes sound fresh when she narrates them in her unique style. She has a class of her own!
--Bhaswati

Renu Babani says:
We do miss Santosh-ji. The good news is that she is supposed to return by Monday; so hopefully we shall see her at the Garden by Tuesday. Especially at the end of the laughter session, when the counting has to begin, everyone waits for her. And now that she is not around, someone else has to start it. So, Santosh-ji, do return soon. You are being missed.
--Renu

Harish Wadhwa says:
Bhaswati-ji, your Punjabi versus Bengali joke (Jalianwala Baag) was no less than a Bomb of Laughter on Saturday. No wonder most Bengalis are today clean-shaven -- unlike the brave Sardars!
--Harish