Suddenly laughter (yes, LOL) can’t be taken lightly but with circumspection when it has certain important people only in mind. It’s a universal fact that one of the first things we learnt growing up was to ‘copy’ and so we all instinctively imitated others we first saw – Grandpa-ma, parents, siblings, pet animals… It all came back when my three year old granddaughter started repeating my nonsensical expressions of affection (kuchu-puchu, gulu-pulu..) because they came naturally to her !
It won’t now offend to reveal that some of the most popular classmates were the ones who could imitate our teachers the best, replete with mannerisms but in the school days of 60-70s, wasn’t taken kindly & one was punished if caught in the act ! One of my best recollections from work-life were the various impressions done of one of our loved GMs, Mr.MK Bose in BOB of the 70s with a quaint speaking style that many Bengali’s possess. His imitations became a cult & were even done in functions where he joined in the merriment. It was our love in ‘imitation in its sincerest form of flattery’ for Dada !
One knows that the legendary ‘Charlie Chaplain’ had perfected the ‘Mime’ : which is a theatrical performance art where a person tells a story or expresses emotions using silent body movements, gestures, facial expressions without speech. But in ‘Mimicry’ that has become more prevalent, there’s the process of copying or imitating someone or something else’s appearance, sounds or behaviors. Here a performer such as a comedian impersonates a celebrity’s voice & gestures or even in acts much like a bird repeating words or an animal making warning noises.
Today ‘Stand-up Comedians’ seem to have hit big-time with the Gen Zee & younger set of audience who love to hear irreverent and satirical anecdotes, real & contrived, mostly about our celebrities, film stars and politicians. Their acts are generally built from one-liners, personal anecdotes, and satirical views on everyday life. Many comics engage in live audience banter, known as crowd-work. Their shows are expensive and a sell-out ! However, comics have also been hauled up for controversial (political) jibes & jokes !
What’s it with copying other people that is treated by some as playful, harmless humour and by many others as attempts to humiliate or ridicule. In USA, POTUS downwards all are required to be sporting about the ‘roast’ that happens on certain formal occasions aimed at people in powerful positions. Legendary stars when speaking in the ‘Oscars’ Ceremony literally ‘roast’ their fraternity & co-stars and everyone in the audience joins in the bon-homie and banter.
Closer home while mega stars like Big B & SRK take jokes on them in their stride, there’s a growing insensitivity based on lines drawn by social groups & activists on both sides. So it then depends on balancing the act and its intent that can be done with some skill. As the incomparable wit, Oscar Wilde had said “Art only begins where Imitation ends.” !
