Four of Pakistan’s top comedy performers have died in less than a month. The first to depart was Liaquat Soldier, the funnyman with his distinct streetwise style of Karachi’s Kharadar. The next to go were Mastana and Baboo Baral, who, for years, enthralled audiences at the theatres of Punjab. Finally, it was Moin Akhtar, a master of his craft, a legend, whose unique talents and versatility to create humour we were so familiar with.
All four of them died of age-associated illnesses. But the mind wanders to the realm of endless possibilities. One might wonder why suddenly our comedians? Why now? It is more than just a coincidence? Has Pakistan become a place so grim that the funnymen cannot stand living here anymore? Comedians are motivated to carry on by the laughter of their audiences. Is it becoming harder to wipe off the glum look from people’s faces? Do they have to entertain much tougher crowds now? In a depressed society that Pakistan is fast turning into, if it hasn’t already, it is becoming increasingly difficult to make people happy. The four men who are no longer with us had made billions smile and laugh for so many years. Perhaps they thought that their stuff isn’t working anymore. The audiences are too depressed now. A lifetime of bringing smiles on so many faces and then reaching a point where this job becomes too arduous a task must be heartbreaking. Perhaps they died with a broken heart.
Artistes – especially comedians – are very sensitive people. They get overwhelmed by what is happening in their surroundings. Sometimes more than they should. The poor creatures allow emotions to get the better of them. It might be that they were engulfed by the gloominess they saw around them.
In Pakistan, with each passing day, there are fewer reasons to cheer about. You turn on the TV and you are bombarded with bad news almost every other minute. A glance at the headlines in newspapers is enough to start taking Prozac.
Our disfigured society, riddled with the plagues of intolerance and extremism brought upon us by the men with beards and those clean-shaved ones who have a beard hidden in their stomach, must be excruciatingly painful for someone who makes a living out of making other people see the lighter side of things.
Amid this melancholic atmosphere, the funnymen don’t stand a chance. And that is perhaps why they wish to leave for their heavenly abode and escape from the nauseating stench of hate, prejudice, double standards and a lack of respect for other human beings that our society has to offer. Rest in peace Liaquat Soldier, Mastana, Baboo Baral and Moin Akhtar, and thank you for all the good times that you gave us. This society was probably no more a place for the likes of you anyway.
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