The Laughter league

 

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.