Shrirupa Is A Rising Soul

Few weeks back I attended an event organised by VOSD (Voice of the Stray Dogs) called Barking MAD at B Flat with my homies. (Homies are not housewives + moms by the way…Just so we are clear, because I have been asked this before. Homies are a crowd of friends from the street, ghetto, hood, club, block, etc.) Just wanted to clarify. 

Anyways…

So we settle down, chatting and catching up, the event starts and it’s all fun then, BAM! Shrirupa Sengupta walks up to the mike and unleashes craziness to a whole different level!   We couldn’t stop laughing, her animated face completely in sync with her supper witty lines. She stood out and floored everyone with her flamboyant aura.  A talented entity and an intriguing soul. Questions started popping in my head; I had to get her for a quick one to one session!

How did you get into standup comedy? 

Okay, this is a super long story…

In March 2014 I had moved to Bangalore from Delhi as I was taking a sabbatical, working through some issues and dealing with a breakdown. I forgot to read, write, cook, drive and developed a nervous gulp and stutter when I spoke. 

While on the path of recovery, I was having panic attacks whenever I had to talk to/interact or face another human being. This was getting very problematic, majorly for my vegetable vendor who could not fathom my misplaced emotions when asked about how many tomatoes I’d like, for instance and also for myself. 

Simultaneously, it was way too profitable for various tissue manufacturing companies. I guess I single handedly ensured their sales. By September 2014, I was tired of being the damsel in distress and decided to deal with the panic attacks head on by trying out Stand-Up Comedy. 

My logic was simple. I needed a public space in which I didn’t have to have regular interaction with other human beings. Stand-Up Comedy was solo and you could be honest without the need to deal with the judgments that follow in any other social situation. And humor can be extremely cathartic. It seemed perfect.

The hair factor – can we talk about it?

Hahaha! Of course. I trip on it (and not in the good way) when I am trying to roll out of bed. Also, it is practically impossible to have an argument when it is down. It gets in the way of the drama. I was initially growing it because I hated going for haircuts. (Also with short hair, I look like Mowgli on a bad hair day.) 

Then as it grew, I decided to grow it a little more to donate it to Hair for Hope. Now, recently I have discovered since I had bleached and streaked some of my hair a couple of years back, it is considered “chemically treated” so I cannot donate it. Now, I simply don’t know what to do with it. Meanwhile I have discovered I am square in shape, and if I do have short hair, I will end up looking like a house with a thatched roof. Not really my go to self image! 
So I am just going to remain pointlessly hairy with close resemblance to Cousin Itt from the Addams Family.

What is the wackiest thing you did as a child?

I climbed…Everything and everyone. So I would always leave guests bewildered. I doubt they were familiar with the concept of being mistaken as trees. Also no furniture and no curtain were safe from my adventures. The number of curtain rails and pelmets I have brought down is astonishing. Not to mention stuff my family kept on top shelves. My father still fears I may shape shift into a cat any moment and fall asleep on the bath-mat on my way to bed. It is most disconcerting, the way Father thinks.

What makes you laugh till your jaw hurts?

A conversation with my family, catching up with my partner, watching Stand Up Comedians, the Improv Comedy Bangalore rehearsals I have magically become a part of and PG Wodehouse.

Your views animal rights…? I had to ask!

It is non-negotiable. We share the Earth. And all life on it must be protected, nurtured and cherished. “We have got your back, bro”, is what I’d like to tell them.

While doing a show if you suddenly forget your lines, what will you do?

I forget lines a lot actually and end up improvising quite a bit. I also have this unfortunate habit of looking at the floor which is very “Hello! Dharti Mata” types. One day, I might just end up writing the lines on my shoes…and call them Happy Feet.

So you see what I mean? She’s got the spark that lights up the sky. Shrirupa is a rising soul!

You can catch Shrirupa and her cool gang of humorists  Live on 23rd Aug at Indigo Live Music Bar @ 8 pm!