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Journalism of Courage
Comedian and actor Vir Das shared a heartwarming note on Instagram following the passing of his father-in-law this week. The heartfelt tribute capturing the “raw” and “chaotic” nature of grief in Indian families resonated with many social media users.
From hospitals to ambulances to cremation, Das reflected on the series of rituals that followed the loss of his father-in-law. “We lost my father-in-law this week. So we did all the things. The ICU, hospital, ambulance, cremation, Haridwar, wake, prayer meet and more. We gather, an Indian gathering is a beautiful and chaotic thing,” he wrote.
“We gather around a body, we gather around an ambulance everyone screaming instructions, we gather around a fire in silence, then we gather in some sort of line like whispering air hostesses doing namaste as people gather around us,” the comedian added.
Highlighting the emotional roller-coaster of such gatherings, Das wrote, “Hellos are quick, conversations are long, goodbyes take forever. Everyone is simultaneously late and early. There are reunions, fights settled, new fights started. everyone is dramatic, everyone is starving, everyone is getting up to give a seat to someone. More laughter than tears.”
He further reflected on how people cope during such times. “You drink, eat, socialise, gossip, carb up and sugar up, more than you have in a decade, because someone is no longer with you. Then everyone goes home three kilos heavier,” he added.
Concluding the note, Das wrote, “Maybe that’s where the people who pass go. That’s what the afterlife is. Them living on in multiple people bodies, three kilos a piece.”
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The post resonated with fans expressing condolences. “So sorry for your loss .and So So well captured, ‘more laughter than tears’ and the earing and the endless cups of Chai,” a user wrote. “Raw truth in beautifully crafted words,” another user commented.
“Wow…a positive reflection of Afterlife,” a third user reacted.
