Pakistanis have often been accused of taking themselves too seriously, of not possessing the ability to be able to laugh at themselves. Yet it doesn’t take a genius to figure out why we might have lost sight of the lighter side of life - whether it’s the spectre of terrorism or the struggle for basic amenities such as electricity and gas, we have enough problems to contend with on a day-to-day basis that we often forget to look for the punch line.

"We’ve become addicted to sadness," declares funnyman Saad Haroon, the comedian from Pakistan who’s been making waves internationally. Acknowledging the hardships that plague the country, Haroon continues, "During the last decade or so, we’ve remained on the verge of sorrow, preparing ourselves for tears and not laughter. We forget that we have good things to look forward to as well; that Pakistan has a lot to offer that is positive."

Last Friday, the city of Lahore was reminded of exactly that as Haroon came together with some of the country’s brightest young stars to headline an evening that served as a positive reaffirmation - of Pakistan, its talent and its ability to poke some lighthearted fun of itself.

The setting was an unlikely event - a corporate launch, of all the things. But instead of the typical instances of in-your-face marketing and long-winded speeches, the audience was treated to an intelligently curated evening that featured great music, good food, star power and a hefty dose of humour.

"Brands tend to follow the same hackneyed, cut and paste formula when it comes to corporate events," says seasoned event manager Jalal Satti of J&S Events. "I wanted to bring in an element of freshness and hence conceptualized the idea of a uniquely indigenous event, that showcased the contemporary face of Pakistan and our ability to put together creative experiences that are both engaging and fun."

So you had a host in the form of Haroon, poking fun not only at himself but at the celebrities in the audience (and there were plenty of those - everyone from musicians Junaid Khan of Call and Ali Sethi to model Amna Babar and designer Ali Xeeshan) as well as the corporate bigwigs representing the brand in question, United Snacks.

Using comedy as the tonic that kept the 200-plus strong audience warm on a freezing winter evening in Lahore was a smart move, believes the comedian. "You know why our TV dramas with their rona dhona are so popular - it’s because they reinforce the negative perceptions people already have of the country. This evening was about focusing on the good. It was refreshing to see a corporation that wasn’t concerned about how its people looked, but more about ensuring that the attendees had an enjoyable and memorable evening," he said.

Also breaking out of the mould of stuffiness was one of the evening’s star attractions, Fawad Khan. Easily this generation’s most bankable actor, Khan is known primarily for the romantic and sedate characters he embodies onscreen. A certain aloofness marks his real-life demeanour also, hence it’s easy to forget that the actor started off his career with an out-an-out comedy, playing a desi James Bond in the popular sitcom Jutt and Bond.

It was interesting to see Khan return to his goofy roots as ‘Oochie’, the buck-toothed, curly-haired thief with the maniacal laugh who happens to be the brand mascot. "You’ve already got the looks, are you trying to take away comedy from us as well?" quipped Haroon in mock anger as Khan joined him on stage to unveil a short video clip featuring his comedic alter ego.

"It’s good to be able to poke fun of yourself once in a while," acknowledged Khan. "We have a tendency to take ourselves too seriously; as a nation, we really need to make light of certain situations and moments."

Before you dismiss this attitude as flippant, consider for a moment the healing and stress-relieving powers of laughter. Mark Twain was on to something when he declared almost two centuries ago, "The human race has only one really effective weapon and that is laughter." In Pakistan’s context, when we are often left feeling helpless and defenceless in the face of issues that seem insurmountable, the statement rings with a sharp resonance.

"It’s very important for a country like Pakistan to be able to laugh at itself," says Haroon. "Agreed, we have our share of problems, and some people might think, ‘hey, we don’t have bijli; now you want to come and poke fun of us and take our ego as well?’ However, we have to remember that no one is perfect. When things go wrong, we need to discuss them. The more you laugh at yourselves, the more you are able to empathize with others. It helps us come together and bond. Comedy has curative powers."

If laughter is the best medicine, it is music that is food for the soul. Luckily the event had both elements in equal doses, breaking the monotony of red carpets and fashion presentations that have become the norm at corporate launches, and giving the audience an unforgettable experience.

Sara Haider, Jimmy Khan and Zoe Viccaji performed a set of original, remixed and cover songs, produced by Jamal Rahman of True Brew Records. The three singers - stylish, fierce and supremely talented - represent a new generation of Pakistani musicians and watching them set the stage on fire was an experience that was not only melodious, but also uplifting and hopeful. If that’s the future of our music industry, we’re in for one hell of a great ride.

The Lighter Side of Life

It’s not an adage for no reason: ‘laughter really is the best medicine’. With pessimism so deeply rooted in our society today, we often have to look for reasons to laugh but there really isn’t anything as contagious and therapeutic as laughter and science is proof of that. A good old, heartfelt laugh is known to reduce stress, curb depression, improve the immune system and reduce the risk of heart disease - in short, laughter is your lifeline for a healthy life. Perhaps that is the reason why laughter yoga has been gaining swift attention worldwide.

This laughter therapy however needs to come out of the confines of a fitness centre and expand its reach to a wider set of consumers, especially in Pakistan. Given how the nation has come to be deprived of the beauty that resonates from uncontrollable peals of laughter, in the wake of recurring tragedy and loss post the War on Terrorism, it is understandable that it can get harder to laugh. But the fact that we are a species with a unanimous sense of humour needs to be exploited more.

Hollywood has come to terms with comedy’s value and so has the Indian film industry. Every year, two of the most prestigious awards shows from the two industries, the Academy Awards and the Filmfare Awards, put in their best efforts to make the show as entertaining as possible and they do so only with rib-tickling humour. The one time the producers of the Academy Awards saw a 16% drop in ratings, they decided to bring the comic powerhouse Chris Rock back to the hosting roster, simply because more humour means more people stick around to enjoy the show.

Comic talent has remained Pakistani entertainment industry’s strength since time immemorial. No matter how bad things got, legendary showman Moin Akhtar and his troupe of comedians extraordinaire including Bushra Ansari and Anwar Maqsood would always turn up on the radio, and later on our television screens, to bring a smile to our faces. Lehri, Rangeela and Nirala were some of the country’s iconic comedians who took away the most irritable stings with their brand of funny. And now as the country seems to be going deeper in descent, one can’t help but notice a new wave of comedians emerging - one that is pushing social boundaries and holding up a mirror to our cultural flaws. Saad Haroon, Zaid Ali, Danish Ali and Shehzad Ghias are just a few comedic icons who represent this day and age.

Fashion shows, musical performances and dances all make for exciting ingredients for an entertaining show but comedy is a flavor we need to taste. Stories and expressions, which are normally unacceptable, sugarcoated and neutralized with humour, often leave audiences wanting for more because who doesn’t want an escape from everyday life’s monotony. Last year’s LSAs were clever in this respect. On one hand, you had Fawad Khan and Mahira adding to the sophistication of the country’s biggest awards night and on the other, there was Yasir Hussain poking fun at everyone and giving people much-needed comic relief from the show’s proceedings. Similarly, the United Snacks event is a welcome addition to the way social soirees are scripted. It’d be interesting to see fashion weeks add it as a feature so that it becomes easier to sit through some really painful collections.

Laughter is one of the most intimate experiences. The more you laugh, the closer you are to a person or situation. A bond based on happiness is stronger and more emotionally driven. Hence, it’s important to create that bond with your audience; in order to get a more empathetic response. Comedy is a classic tactic and the most honest form of human interaction that our society needs more of in this day and age. The need for more comedy in our lives is in fact no laughing matter!

-- Additional Input by Nida Ameen