Power, Peril, and Politics of Laughter

I used to think laughter was just laughter. You know, that thing you do when someone slips on a banana peel, or when you realise your entire life is just a series of awkward moments held together by caffeine and bad decisions. But then, while working on theology of Devi Puran and the social construction of power (fancy, right?), I realised: laughter is a weapon. Not the kind you use in a bar fight, but one that humiliates, strips power, and occasionally, starts wars.

The Goddess Who LOL’d at a Demon

Mahishasura, the mighty demon, strutting onto the battlefield, flexing his muscles, feeling invincible. And then—BOOM—Durga enters the scene and lets out the loudest, most epic guffaw ever (अट्टहास, for those who enjoy dramatic Sanskrit terminology). Mahishasura, poor guy, suddenly feels… small. Like a man who just realised his Wi-Fi is down. His confidence crumbles.

That’s the thing about mockery—it’s not just ha-ha funny; it’s uh-oh powerful. Durga wasn’t just laughing for fun. She was making it clear: “Dude, you don’t scare me.” And that, my friends, is terrifying for the person on the receiving end.

Bhavai: Where Society Gets Roasted

If you think this whole laughter-as-power thing is history, think again. Take Bhavai, Gujarat’s folk theatre, where no social norm is safe. Bhavai mocks caste, gender roles, and religion, making audiences laugh at the very things that control their lives. For a moment, the audience feels powerful. “Haha! Look at how ridiculous these traditions are!” Until they go home and realise they still have to follow them. Ah, well. Baby steps.

Why Some People Are Offended by Jokes (Hint: Ego)

You might have heard it : “Oh, come on, it’s just a joke!” But here’s the secret: it’s never just a joke. A joke—especially one rooted in mockery—makes someone feel small. And nobody likes feeling small (except maybe chihuahuas, but they compensate by barking at trucks).

People with big egos struggle the most with this. Their brains just cannot compute the idea that they are not all-powerful. So, they do what any self-respecting egomaniac would do—they get angry. They demand apologies. They ban jokes. They cry about “cancel culture” while trying to cancel comedians.

Women Can Laugh… Just Not At Men

Let’s talk about women and laughter. Because, apparently, there are rules.

Back in the day, Kalidasa wrote about women laughing in royal gardens. It was so magical that trees literally burst into flowers. (Botanists, don’t question this. Just go with it.) Women’s laughter was seen as a sign of joy and security. It was painted on temple walls, sculpted onto Buddhist stupas, and basically celebrated. Yay, happy women!

But.

Women laughing at men? That’s another story.

Remember Draupadi in the Mahabharata? Duryodhana trips and falls into a pool (which, let’s be honest, is objectively hilarious). Draupadi laughs and calls him “the blind son of a blind king.” And BOOM. Duryodhana loses it. His ego is so bruised that he vows revenge, and next thing you know—war, destruction, death. All because of one laugh.

The message? Women laughing = good. Women laughing at men = CURSED FOREVER.

Comedians, Beware: Laughter Can Be Dangerous

Durga knew it. Draupadi knew it. Stand-up comedians know it. When you laugh at something, you take its power away. That’s why comedians mock politicians, society, relationships, and basically anyone who thinks they’re untouchable. And people LOVE it.

But not everyone. Some take offence. They demand bans. No more Sardar jokes. No more jokes about politicians, religions, women, Americans, British people, vegetarians, dog owners, bald men, pineapple on pizza.

And don’t even get me started on female comedians. The moment a woman picks up a mic and starts cracking jokes, people suddenly go, “Eh, women aren’t that funny.” Translation: “I don’t like it when women laugh at things I take seriously.”

Clown Who Outsmarted Everyone

Ancient vidushakas (Sanskrit clowns) knew this. They understood that laughter is violence. So, they flipped the game—they made fun of themselves. They painted their faces, wore ridiculous clothes, and basically said, “Don’t worry, I’m the joke here.” It was a survival strategy. Better to be the fool than to make fools of powerful people.

But modern comedians? Oh, they’re fearless. They believe in freedom of expression, even if it means mocking people who don’t have a sense of humour. But let’s be real—what happens when the king can’t take a joke?

Nothing good, right ? court cases, controversies, outrage, trolling….

So, the next time someone laughs at something that makes you uncomfortable, ask yourself: Are they just being mean? Or are they holding up a mirror? And if you ever find yourself the target of a joke, remember—if you can laugh at yourself, no one can ever take your power away.