If there is one thing that binds us regular folk, it is our middle-class upbringing. If we were to share our common experiences, then it would be a laugh riot. This is precisely what stand-up comic Karthik Kumar does in his second solo act, Second Decoction.
After performing across different cities in India and Singapore, Second Decoction will be held in Bengaluru. “It’s about the joy and tragedy of being part of the middle class,” says Karthik over the phone. He is quick to add, “For me, the middle class is not a class, it’s a mindset.”
And what is this ‘mind set’? “Supposing a middle-class person goes to a nice, swanky restaurant, and there is a luxurious corner with a window view, the person would be intimated by it and probably sit on a second or third best table.” The title, Second Decoction bears this out as well. “In a middle-class family, the first decoction is served to the bread winner and the head of the family and the second the wife or grandmother will make for themselves. We won’t be the go getters, we’ll always be the ones who want to be second best. This is a typical middle class mindset,” says Karthik, laughing.
ADVERTISEMENT
Recalling how the idea came to him -- he worked on Second Decoction for six months, and performed bits and pieces in different venues at open mics — Karthik says it was while he did relief work during the Chennai floods. “It was the middle-class who were most affected. We had to convince them to get out of their houses! It was tragic and comic at the same time.” Interestingly, his first stand-up act was performed at the National Centre for the Performing Arts Cheer! to glitterati and a posh South Mumbai audience. “I received a great response. There were people who came up to me to say they related to it as they too had a middle-class upbringing. If you were middle-class ever in your life, you will have that mindset, those values.”
Karthik says his brand of humour tends to be dramatic. “I am one of the most energetic performers in the circuit. Over the years, my voice has become more personal and truthful. I believe every show should talk about social issues in some way or the other.” And no, he doesn’t think the middle-class gets easily offended. “Middle-class people are actually not intolerant. They will tolerate anything. That’s the way we’ve been brought up.”
Stand-up comedy has become popular, contends Karthik.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Stand-up comics like Sundeep Rao, Sanjay Manaktala and I started around the same time. Now it has blown up like never before because younger audiences are taking to it.” Karthik will perform Second Decoction, which will later tour the US. It is presented by Evam Stand-Up Tamasha and will be held on July 23, 8 p.m., at Chowdiah Memorial Hall, Malleswaram.