Notwithstanding the possibility of being branded as an ‘escapist’, of trying to run away from sordid reality, one feels that it is time to take a break from endlessly disgusting , depressing and sickening discussion on Covid-19 pandemic that has enveloped all of us well and truly.
Experiencing unprecedented, forceful confinement at home being ‘locked down’ abandoning day to day activities is indeed traumatic and melancholic. To get rid of such dicey, morbid environment, it is worthwhile to look at the brighter and sunnier side of events to de-stress oneself. In literature, it is defined as ‘comic relief ‘meaning ‘releasing of tension ‘in the midst of serious or tragic elements.
Instances of comic relief are in abundance in all of William Shakespeare’s immortal tragic dramas. In ‘Macbeth’, a tipsy ‘Porter ‘ praising good effects of drinking while ‘Macduff ‘ is left stranded at the gate provides hilarious effect in an otherwise gruesome tragic atmosphere.
Brajen Barua’s wicked expression as a villain (he was in double role) evokes laughter and anger simultaneously in ‘Dr Bezbaruah’, the iconic suspense thriller. Similarly, ‘Asrani ‘ remains the epitome of comic relief with his dialogue and expression in ‘Sholay’, the blockbuster Bollywood movie.
The enthralling, exciting first test match at Southampton between West Indies and England that ended the pandemic – induced hiatus in international cricket has provided much needed diversion and respite to cricket connoisseurs from their dull, monotonous ‘stay home, stay safe ‘ life envisaged by the doctors and experts.
The pulsating test match saw the West Indies team clinching a scintillating victory bearding the English lion in its own den on 12th July, 2020. For a change, distressingly negative ‘Covid-19 statistics emanating frequently in social media were kept at arm’s length by the sports lovers to enjoy the grueling match in gay abandon oblivious of ‘Corona’ apprehension.
On a close scrutiny, the recently concluded first test match stands out significantly for having added quite a few feathers to the glittering hat of test cricket. In the scary backdrop of more than thirty thousand people succumbing to the deadly virus in Great Britain, it speaks volumes of courage and cricket passion for the West Indies to agree to undertake the tour.
Accolades go to the English players too for agreeing to play the game in the face of haunting life-scare. The game has been played in empty stadium which is a record in nearly one hundred year old test cricket history.
Consequent upon imposition of ‘lockdown restrictions ‘ across India that rendered millions of migrant workers jobless, a large section of these economically bankrupt people had to walk hundreds of miles to return to their native place leaving their work stations. In the midst of heart rending sight of poor people walking down with petty belongings, photograph of a migrant family carrying their pets along was heart-touching besides magnifying their human values.
It was indeed an intellectual pleasure to be a part of the ‘webinar’ organized by the admirers of literary celebrity, legendary Saurav Kumar Chaliha, the Sahiitya Academy winner. Anchored by Jeevan Goswami, very illuminating lights were thrown by Dr Ananya Hioidary, the appointed speaker, on the various facets of literary brilliance of Saurav Kumar Chaliha. The webinar provided us welcome escape from stifling Covid-19 discussion.
The best comic relief has, however, been provided by none other than Baba Ramdev when he claimed to have invented a medicine that would cure Covid-19 in a flash!! When the experts, scientists , famous physicians around the world have been burning midnight oil to find proper medicine vaccine for the dreaded disease, the ICMR and even maligned ‘WHO ‘ have been making all round effort, the claim of the self-styled ‘Baba’ to mislead a section of gullible Indians has been pooh-poohed by the ministry of Health.!! The discerning Indians have, however, had a hearty laugh at the absurdity of claim!