The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : It’s difficult to make people laugh

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Monday, May 05, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

It’s difficult to make people laugh

Staff Reporter

Rally marks World Laughter Day celebrations in city

Photo: K. Murali Kumar

Ecstatic: Members of various laughter clubs taking part in the World Laughter Day celebrations rally in Bangalore on Sunday. —

BANGALORE: They just had a long walk. Some danced, some laughed, while the remaining walked silently. Those passing by in vehicles and buses curiously looked at the procession and went past it without reacting, even when some in the procession tried to make them laugh.

On Sunday, laughter clubs from various parts of the city took out a rally to mark World Laughter Day.

Carrying the banners of their respective clubs, the members began the rally from Vidhana Soudha. They carried posters asking people to laugh and also did acts that made people laugh. Some acted as jokers, while others were dressed as gods and warriors.

“These are some of the forms that people dress in, and laugh on their own,” said B.K. Satyanarayana.

There were a few who wore T-shirts that had in a circle “ha ha ha.” Adding colour to the rally was the presence of a good number of folk artistes. Presenting their craft, the “Dollu Kunita” and “Patta Kunita” troupes inspired the laughter club members into unbridled dance.

Among those who danced included octogenarian B.K. Satyanarayana, president of the Laughter Clubs of Karnataka. Mr. Satyanarayana, the person who brought laughter clubs to the city, was found swaying to the folk tunes regardless of his physical discomfort.

Some members encouraged passers-by, motorists and bus commuters to have hearty laughs.

The hour-long rally ended at the Youth Men’s Christian Association grounds, where cultural programmes were held. “A smile is a gift that you possess. You need to share it with others and lead a fruitful life,” said Mr. Satyanarayana. R.K. Sridhara Murthy, an advocate from Malleswaram, said more number of people were now attending the laughter sessions. “When we start, there will be a few people.

But, by the time we end the 45-minute-long session, many join us,” said Mr. Murthy, who has been associated with the Malleswaram Laughter Club for over two years.

M.R. Basava Raju, a yoga therapist, said he had been able to bring in a new dimension to laughter sessions by combining it with yoga postures.

“We follow breathing techniques and postures that bring in a lot of fun into the practice of yoga,” he said.

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