On 1 April 2022, April Fools’ Day, the second edition of the Modabhimanaya (මෝඩාභිමානය) annual standup comedy gig will be held at the Act4 – Theatre For Change in Thalawathugoda from 7 p.m. onwards.
The event is presented by the Sinhala Comedy Club and Origin Films and will feature headlining acts Hasalaka Thushara and Gihan Fernando, featuring a lineup of performers, including Chamara Guruge, Natasha Edirisinghe, and Ishan Kawmina.
Speaking to Hasalaka Thushara, he shared that the significance of the event is that there are no other such events that mark April Fools’ Day in Sri Lanka. “We have all these other days that we celebrate: 31st night, Valentine’s Day, Women’s Day, etc., but not 1 April,” he said, adding that they wanted to have an annual comedy event on this day.
Thushara shared that stand up comedy as an art form has always been a medium that has interested him, also that he has always felt it is a direct line of communication. “You have the freedom to lead ideologies, fuel conversation, and encourage critical thought,” said Thushara, further sharing that in terms of art in the mediums of music, film, literature, and such, there is some form of editing. “In these other mediums these are various different interpretations that com
e into play,” he said, elaborating that in a stand up setup, there is minimal filtration. “It is the comedian directly speaking their mind to the audience.”
He shared that they wish to add to the stand up comedy culture that is slowly developing in our country. He noted that especially with regard to the Sinhala language, stand up gigs are not so common, adding that, however, we do have a smattering of English and Singlish gigs happening here and there.
“The comedian is not really professionalised here in Sri Lanka, and even the acts who will be featured at the event are people coming from different professions. There are actors, people from the field of advertising, and even from the NGO (non-governmental organisation) field,” he added.
Thushara also shared that what they merely hope to do is plant the seed of interest, to encourage people and to create awareness about a very versatile medium of expression. He said that comedy can be polarising, while also uniting individuals, making note of American comedians and also the wave in India that has sparked an entire subgenre for stand up comedy and how this has explored the potential for social and political criticism as well.
So if stand up comedy is your cup of tea or you simply want to check it out, then maybe you can make your way over to the Act4 – Theatre For Change, Thalawathugoda this Friday (1 April) to check out Modabhimanaya 22.
