When he received the prescription for his diabetes, Sampath aka ‘Sirippananda’ Subramanian did a double take. At the bottom of the slip, below the names of regular medicine, the doctor had scribbled — “a shot of laughter”. He was already laughing. And feeling good too. “So, why not try this supplementary medicine as well,” he thought to himself.
Since then, ‘Sirippananda’ Subramanian has been laughing his way to good health. Attending meetings of humour clubs across the city, he ensured he got those life-saving shots. And then, he decided he should administer those shots himself and also offer them to others. In September 2003, he started a humour Club in Ambattur, which meets every second Sunday. If there is anything unique about this club, it’s strict observance of rahukalam for narrating jokes. The meetings are always conducted between 4.30 p.m. and 6.30 p.m, which ‘Sirippananda’ Subramanian considers auspicious on Sundays. Things said in jest can drive a wedge between families and the best of friends. On an average, 100 members, most of them drawn from the same neighbourhood, attend the club’s meetings. Members at times call attention to funny incidents involving their neighbours, friends and family members. However, due to this observance, though toes get stepped on, it does not hurt. All the taboo subjects are however avoided like the bubonic plague. Initially, the meetings would be conducted at ‘Sirippananda’ Subramanian’s office in Ambattur, and now it has moved to the Sath Sanga Mandapam, which is a million times more spacious.
Delhi Ganesh and S.Ve. Sekhar are regulars at these meets. Participants are judged by a panel of three guest-members.
The jokes are not screened prior to their telling, but humour that oversteps social propriety or uses any of the taboo subjects can land a participant in a spot that’s anything but funny.
Contact: 9003034503, 9789778442.
