Mumtaz Naseem, a poet and singer, was the only woman on the panel. She departed from her usual ghazal recital to perform Holi-themed folk songs like Najariya re.

What: Hindusthan Club presents Hasya Kavi Sammelan, in association with t2

When: March 17

Where: Science City auditorium

The Hasya Kavi Sammelan added a light note to Holi evening with performances by four Hasya Kavis (poets specialising in comedy) — Sailesh Lodha, Dinesh Diggaj, Sanjay Jhala and Arun Gemini — and songs by Mumtaz Naseem.

Organiser speak: “The Hasya Kavi Sammelan is organised every year by Hindusthan Club. It’s nice to have a Hasya Kavi Sammelan during Holi because it fits the mood of the festival and it’s also a nice break because we’re so stressed out in our daily lives,” said Shyam Agarwal, president of Hindusthan Club.

 

Comedian Sailesh Lodha, known best as Taarak Mehta from the hit TV show Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, was the top draw. Though he performed for a brief spell, his jokes had the audience in splits.

LOL moment: “I once went to Japan to perform and I told the audience that I didn’t know how much time I had in hand to tell my jokes. One man got up and said that I could talk for as long as I wanted because they only had five minutes to listen to me!”

 

 

 

Hasya Kavi Dinesh Diggaj, from Ujjain, is also a regular in the circuit.

LOL moment: “The other day I took my wife to see Taj Mahal. She got sentimental and asked me when I was making one for her. I told her, the plot is bought, but only she is delaying the whole thing.”