Borders of mirth

Laughter transcends territorial boundaries. Being an ardent supporter of the Indo-Pak peace process...

Laughter transcends territorial boundaries. Being an ardent supporter of the Indo-Pak peace process, my spirits were somewhat dampened by the recent development of India and Pakistan expelling the diplomats of the other country. Amidst all this, we had the 8216;Laughter Challenge8217; on television, which had Indian and Pakistani performers sharing the same stage and tickling everybody8217;s funny bone. Given the trust deficit between the two countries in recent times, this show proved to be an effective ice-breaker.

For all those who still have some residual faith in Indo-Pak bonhomie, this laugh riot provided the illusion that there were actually no borders between the two countries 8212; at least when it came to guffawing together. While our foreign policy aficionados appear to work overtime to strike a cordial note between the two countries and sustain it, these kings of comedy succeeded in bringing a smile on our faces with just a few words and expressions to match.

Incidentally, it is Indian TV viewers who get to choose the winners of the show8217;s second season. And they voted a Pakistani 8212; Rauf Lala 8212; to the first place despite the fact that there was an impressive line-up of Indian performers. The fourth place was also secured by a Pakistani duo, the Laurel-and-Hardy-like Irfan Malik and Ali Hasan. Apart from the winners, many other comedians from across the Great Divide won the hearts of Indian audiences and became household names overnight.

If evidence was ever needed that in bolstering the flagging relationship between India and Pakistan, people8217;s power is sometimes more effective, it was here. And it8217;s not just one-way. Indian actors 8212; both from the small and big screen 8212; enjoy tremendous popularity in Pakistan. But in this laughter show, Indian audiences were clearly bowled over by Pakistani talent. It was their first sneak-peek into what the Pakistani stage had to offer.

Laughter, it seems, can prove to be the ultimate confidence building measure.