TRAILBLAZING INTO TOMORROW

From spreading laughter to hip-hoppin’ in style, the city has always been a hub of talent. This month, we at Yo! introduce you to three clubs with unusual agendas. Not for them the been-there’s and the done that’s as they chart new paths and head to newer destinations. And for all those who still think that Vizag is a quiet city with limited options, these are amazing examples of the possibilities and opportunities we have now woken up to.

THE FUNNY PEOPLE

A group engaged in the business of laughter, Vizag Komedians, has brought many a smile to the city. Ashish Kumar shares the story.

The inception

As India was being introduced to stand-up comedy in 2009, Vizag was relatively still unaware of it. So when Kolkata based Raouf Gangjee, one of India’s oldest comedians visited here, he identified it as a city with potential. With time, and the emergence of local voices in comedy, Raouf soon included Vizag as one of the 27 cities to set up a local comedy chapter, and in 2014, Vizag Komedians was started. With a few key members such as Manik Mehta, this club marked the start of not just a stand-up comedy platform, but also the start of the open-mic culture in the city.

The journey

Ashish, who became part of Vizag Komedians in 2017, shares that the scenario of stand-up comedy and open mic culture has undergone a transformation in the city since. So while events used to be few and far between, happening perhaps once in every two months, today, there’s an open mic happening somewhere every week! Also, while The Park Hotel used to be the only venue that gave standup comedy stage-space, today, their shows happen at other venues too.

People and participation

With an increase in venues, the audience that comes for these shows has grown. Presently, people across age groups come to watch them. Also, while artists from other cities once preferred to perform in metros, engaging participation can now be seen in cities like Vizag as well.

The group