Living in Pakistan, almost every headline we read denotes a negative development. Murder, intolerance, looting, rioting, political and economic corruption, and bomb explosions are typical topics. Contrasting this, we welcome the news of Pakistani comedian Saad Haroon coming second in the World Famous Laugh Factory’s Funniest Person in the World competition. That the competition was the first of its kind means that the standard for Pakistani comedians has been set high.
Indeed, Mr Haroon’s victory has exemplified that Pakistanis have talent in all arenas, including that of entertainment. If given the appropriate platforms, more Pakistanis could have the opportunity to come forth with their talent. In a culture where we put so much emphasis on academic talent, we need to recognise that possessing ability for the performing arts is a high achievement and one that is necessary in a world rife with war and intolerance. Comedy, specifically, brings together an eclectic audience and invites them to share laughter and joy together. In Pakistan, it has the power to unite the citizens of the country, whether from the rural areas or the city, wealthy or poor. We as Pakistanis need to harness the comedic talent we have effectively, polish it and present it on the world stage. It is a bonus that Pakistani politics and news provide an abundance of potential material for parodies, frequently used in popular shows on television.
By creating schools and facilities for the performing arts, we can focus our energies on positive accomplishments and encourage all generations to discover their passions and interests, transforming our children into prodigies. While in the recent past, there has been a slight increase in the number of performing arts schools in cities, albeit very gradual, this trend should be bolstered through private and government funding. Laughter is said to be the best medicine. Scientifically, laughter reduces stress hormones in the brain and is linked to positive emotions. Ergo, one can say laughter is necessary and in some ways, perhaps, even a basic human right.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 30th, 2014.
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