The Laughter league
………… full of Life
Arrived at Hotel Panchavati to meet
and discuss sale of property with prospective
investor . The restaurant was unusually crowded. Found a table for 4 at one
corner. The adjacent table was occupied by a gaggle of boisterous, excited giggling teen age girls . As I waited for client’s arrival , I couldn't help but
catch their conversation ,it was loud enough !
It was apparent that they were preparing for some event.
Girl
1: : अरे ओ साम्भा भाई कितने आदमी थे ?
(Squealing all around).
Girl 2: : only 4 सर्कार … after thought “Don’t
ask कौन थे ”
More laughter and
squealing
Girl 1 : : वो 4 और and तुम alone? Right? ?... (shrill screams)
Girl 2: : in Kannada ನಾನು ಒಂದು ಪ್ರಶ್ನೆಗೆ ಒಂದೇ……….. ಸಲ ಉತ್ತರಿಸೋದು Understand ? ( shrill hysterical squeals)
Girl 1 : और तुम उसको defeat नहीं कर पाये ? ….. Giggles all round
Girl 2: :Try तो किया री…….
Voice from the group: “ She’s
Non Violent ” More squeals and uncontrolled laughter.
Girl 1 : : Useless , कालिया, पिस्तौल देना
Girl 2: :
Yes सर्कार .Right away सर्कार. Hands
over her purse: डिशम डिशम
(delirious shrieking,screaming, yelling all around)
Voice from Group:
Hey, ಕಾಫಿ ಬಂತು ಕಣ್ಣ್ರೆ. Prolongued giggles, banter. & Discordant
Cacophony
My phone rings. Voice at the other
end apologizes for delay & informs that the Party will arrive within next 15
minutes . Impulsively a thought occurred there could be more entertainment by
this “ laughter
league” !
But,as they finished their coffee,
the excited group got ready to leave."
I asked one of the girls what was
going on, and she replied, “We’re just practicing funny skit for college day, Uncle."
This unexpected interlude proved to
be a powerful catalyst for nostalgia, instantly transporting me to my own
college days—a time typically characterized by high-pitched laughter & repartee,
intense bonding, and carefree expression. It evoked impressions of a
"golden age" of life, where friendships were forged quickly and
emotions were uninhibitedly shared.
Memories like storming “Chandra
Café” after a cricket match to feast on masala dosas and coffee for just ₹ 0:65 apiece, and watching the waiter
& cook struggle to keep up was pure comedy
Seeing other visitors curse our marathon sessions while we enjoyed the
entire batch of batter & shamelessly basking in the annoyed
glares and frustrated curses of other guests
was absolute bliss."
Phones and social media have definitely
changed things. We used to just hang out more without constantly checking
screens. People still want to socialize, but Spontaneous light-hearted banter
is becoming outdated. There just aren’t many natural ways to break the ice
anymore. There were fewer online distractions then .People had to meet up in
person more often, and friendships seemed tighter because of that.
