Bengaluru is where comics can fail and thrive, says comedians Spatica and Aaquib Jaleel
Bengaluru offers a unique “breathing room” for comedians to experiment and even fail, yet find acceptance, believe Spatica Ramanujam and Aaquib Jaleel. Theatre artiste-turned-comic Spatica is set to perform in the city with Aaquib. In a chat with us, they weighed in on gender dynamics in comedy , Bengaluru’s vibrant scene, and more…
PEOPLE WILL JUDGE A WOMAN COMIC BEFORE SHE GETS TO THE MIC: SPATICA
Spatica, who recently started performing stand-up comedy , points out, “There is still a presumption around women in comedy. People already judge us before we even get to the mic. People expect a certain kind of ‘acceptable feminism’ – be feminist, but not threatening. If you’re funny, that’s all that should matter and not because you’re a man or a woman. There were times when I kept entire jokes aside, not because they were not funny, but because they’d make people uncomfortable. Discomfort isn’t welcome yet in comedy, especially coming from women.”
IF YOU’RE FUNNY, THAT’S ALL THAT MATTERS: AAQUIB
Aaquib adds that a comic’s gender, religion or sexuality shouldn’t define how they’re received on stage. “Over time, one gets better, sharper and funnier while performing. This is what should count, not where you are from or who you are. If you’re funny, that’s all that should matter,” he says.
STAND-UP COMEDY IS BRUTALLY HONEST: SPATICA
Coming from a rich theatre background, Spatica is familiar with the stage, but stand-up comedy doesn’t offer the same safety net. “In theatre, you have co-actors, characters and costumes, and you can disappear into a role. It is not one’s sole objective to make the audience laugh or entertain. But in comedy, there’s no third wall to lean on. If a joke falls flat, it is your sole responsibility and not the character’s or storyline or director’s. It is that immediacy in comedy that is terrifying yet exhilarating. That immediacy can be terrifying, but also exhilarating. There is a brutal honesty in stand-up as the feedback is instant,” she tells us.
COMICS CAN BE THEIR TRUE SELVES IN BENGALURU: AAQUIB
Moving from Chennai to Bengaluru gave comedian Aaquib significant “breathing room.” He explains, “In Chennai, one ought to be careful about what one says. But in Bengaluru, I can be real. The city has an honest audience who are receptive, diverse and curious. Comedians can test a new set one day, fail significantly, and come back again tomorrow, and the audience will accept them with open arms.”
BENGALURU’S DIVERSITY BRINGS UNPREDICTABILITY TO ITS COMEDY SCENE: SPATICA
Spatica, who grew up in Bengaluru, notes the city’s unique comedic landscape. “There’s a cultural whiplash happening in Bengaluru where we’ve got people speaking in five languages. This diversity often brings an unpredictability where one can do the same set for three days and get three completely different reactions,” she explains.
PEOPLE WILL JUDGE A WOMAN COMIC BEFORE SHE GETS TO THE MIC: SPATICA
Spatica, who recently started performing stand-up comedy , points out, “There is still a presumption around women in comedy. People already judge us before we even get to the mic. People expect a certain kind of ‘acceptable feminism’ – be feminist, but not threatening. If you’re funny, that’s all that should matter and not because you’re a man or a woman. There were times when I kept entire jokes aside, not because they were not funny, but because they’d make people uncomfortable. Discomfort isn’t welcome yet in comedy, especially coming from women.”
Aaquib adds that a comic’s gender, religion or sexuality shouldn’t define how they’re received on stage. “Over time, one gets better, sharper and funnier while performing. This is what should count, not where you are from or who you are. If you’re funny, that’s all that should matter,” he says.
STAND-UP COMEDY IS BRUTALLY HONEST: SPATICA
Coming from a rich theatre background, Spatica is familiar with the stage, but stand-up comedy doesn’t offer the same safety net. “In theatre, you have co-actors, characters and costumes, and you can disappear into a role. It is not one’s sole objective to make the audience laugh or entertain. But in comedy, there’s no third wall to lean on. If a joke falls flat, it is your sole responsibility and not the character’s or storyline or director’s. It is that immediacy in comedy that is terrifying yet exhilarating. That immediacy can be terrifying, but also exhilarating. There is a brutal honesty in stand-up as the feedback is instant,” she tells us.
COMICS CAN BE THEIR TRUE SELVES IN BENGALURU: AAQUIB
Moving from Chennai to Bengaluru gave comedian Aaquib significant “breathing room.” He explains, “In Chennai, one ought to be careful about what one says. But in Bengaluru, I can be real. The city has an honest audience who are receptive, diverse and curious. Comedians can test a new set one day, fail significantly, and come back again tomorrow, and the audience will accept them with open arms.”
Spatica, who grew up in Bengaluru, notes the city’s unique comedic landscape. “There’s a cultural whiplash happening in Bengaluru where we’ve got people speaking in five languages. This diversity often brings an unpredictability where one can do the same set for three days and get three completely different reactions,” she explains.
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