"Laughter is the best medicine.."

Audiences at the India Center in Shrewsbury were treated to a Hasya Ras Kavi Sammelan which had them laughing away from the get go. The event , organized under the auspices of the Indian Society of Worcester and the Antar-rashtriya Hindi Manch was held on April 24, 2010.

President Ragini Seth  give her introductory remarks in Hindi.  She handled her stumbles with great aplomb and had the audience laughing with her declaration that  since she was from Lucknow speaking "pure Hindi" was not possible.  Alok Misra from the Antarashtriya Hindi Manch introduced the artists.

Arun Gemini from Delhi who is a leading  Haasya Kavi in India and a maestro of humor with impeccable timing and delivery served as the master of ceremonies for the event.  "The concept of Pure Hindi is wrong. language grows by borrowing from other tongues" said Gemini.
He was from the state of Haryana and started out by poking a lot of fun at his community fellows. "In Haryana we always laugh. There was an old woman who was found crying. When asked "Bibi Tu Kyon Roh Rahi hai?" She replied "Are khali Baiti the to socha todi roh loon" "

Mahendra Ajnebi, also from Delhi, is a leading satirist of eminence in India. Along with laughter, his haasya-vyang contains a deep penetrating satire.  He made fun of everything from politicians to train travel. His poem on " Bhooton Ki Toli" that conversation between ghosts combined humor with Satire.  It started out with a description of  a group of ghosts who are are afraid of humans. One ghost tells the other "Mein Admi Pe Vishwas Nahin Karta " satirically alluding to an oft quoted cliche amongst humans that say 'Mein Bhooton Mein Vishwas Nahin Karta". He ended the poem with a  poignant note when he said "Jab Admi he Admi pe Vishwas Nahin Karta to Bhooth Kya Vishwas Karega"

Mr. Aashkaran Atal  of  Film 'Vivah' fame  came next. Atal ji is a distinguished and gifted poet known for his unique style of humor and satire. He is a film lyricist, writer, and director.  He started by some humorous comparison between himself and his namesake the former prime-minister Atal Bhihari Vajpayee. " Mein Unse Milne Unke Ghar Nahin Jata , Aur Woh Bhi Mujhe Milne Mere Ghar Nahin Aate. Mere Gutne Teek Hain Aunr Unke... ". He did not allow of moment respite and had the audience laughing almost at every other comment.   Needless to say he was brilliant.

Kavi Sammelan is a unique and delightful form of Indian entertainment and we are grateful to ISW and the Antrashtriya Hindi Manch for bringing this us. We hope this is an annual event!

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