WORLD LAUGHTER DAY | The soundtrack to my life... writes Vir Das

Dear India,

It’s World Laughter Day, and the fine people at DNA have asked this comedian to write for them. I am (on my better days) a comedian, or as we are known in India Joker/Idiot/Anti-National (all titles we wear with pride by the way). I’m fortunate enough to say that the sound of people laughing is the soundtrack to my life. It’s a huge privilege. So, on this fictitious day, that was invented by a lonely man in a marketing department somewhere, here are a few things I wish people knew about laughter...

It’s not completely involuntary

Scientists have disproved that common notion. This means you can technically ‘choose to laugh’. Or at the very least, can choose to be the type of person who laughs a lot. Laughter much like happiness, or not being an a**hole, is a choice.

It’s immortal

You may forget people or events that made you cry or stressed you out, but when someone or something makes you laugh your ass off, you’re going to remember them for life. Also, ladies, six-packs expand, hairlines recede, jaw lines droop...but funny? That sh*t stays forever.

It’s NOT inappropriate

We’ve been brought up in this culture that tells us we aren’t supposed to laugh at meetings, parental dinners, funerals, weddings, births, divorces and such, because it signifies disrespect. I say go for it. Because whatever that situation is, if you’re laughing at it, you’re going to survive it faster than all the other tight a**es in the room.

It is always…

...at somebody’s expense. From that amazing John Oliver joke to a dude slipping on a banana peel, if you’re laughing, someone is going down. Therefore there is no moral, higher, non-violent, respectful, sanskari comedy. Please accept that.

It’s totally uncool…

And that’s cool: If you’re the only one in the room NOT laughing, snorting, contorting your face and bellying over, at something…you’re not the coolest one in the room. You’re probably the unhappiest.

It’s Not a club

In India, we gather around certain types of humour, and judge people for what they laugh at because we feel like it makes us better than them or more exclusive. It’s total bullsh*t. Louis CK’s audience is no better than Kapil Sharma’s audience, The Hangover’s audience is no better than Humshakals’ audience. And if you can sit in both audiences, you’re probably having the most fun.

It doesn’t offend you, you take offence to it: If you’ve taken offence to something, that basically means you’ve taken something. And just because you’ve taken something, doesn’t mean you have to give something back. There doesn’t have to be equal give and take, it’s comedy, not dandiya. If you don’t like the joke, an ideal reaction is ‘stop watching’ instead of ‘start outraging’.

It is a huge sign of respect

So the next time you see that leader you worship, film star you love, author you read, food you eat, airline you travel, god you believe in, being made fun of… it’s because they are important, relevant and probably cool enough to handle a little comedy.

It’s not divisive

Laughter is not left-wing or right-wing, it’s left lung and right lung. Whatever party you support, there’s a joke we can all laugh at… and sadly... it’s probably on WhatsApp.
It is hands-down and without exception… the loudest, hardest and sweetest… in India.

Happy Laughter Day,

Sincerely,
The Idiots.