Sarthak, this was nicely written. Your piece works for me as an opinion on/response to our collective reactions to Vir Das’s video more than an opinion or response on his performance itself. As to the latter, if I take away the grand stage and the weight of Vir Das’s popularity, I didnt find his piece/performance to be much more than a cleverly worded WhatsApp forward.
I understand your point that the sincerity in his voice and his courage in using the grand stage made it more than that. In general, Vir Das’s style, to me, comes across as “practiced”. His tone is careful and measured, which is different from the typical stand-up artist, and I have no problems with that. But when I watch him, I am reacting like I would to a “staged performance” which makes it feel remote. Unless, the content is sharp and incisive that it makes me sit up, and that I did not find in this video.
It is indeed a response to how Vir's piece has been received. And I can agree on the sharpness of his contents for this monologue. There wasn't anything revolutionary.
But I liked the way he put it, and the things he added to what you rightly called clever turns of phrase. I respect thought, touch, and effort being put into a performance. I think Vir mostly does that, having seen his stuff for a few years now. That said, liking this style is down to personal preference, so I hear you when you think of it as staged and remote. He definitely isn't raw, yeah.
Always thought he is not funny. Haven’t seen a single minute of his. I will check this out and then dunk on him. This write up though…<Fire emoji>.
‘India would still be the same, but it would be one blot of ink shorter on the ocean-sized canvas of global awareness’
This is such a loaded thought and so well put. Thank you sarthak!
Thank you so much! And do check his videos out. He's pretty good :)
Sarthak, this was nicely written. Your piece works for me as an opinion on/response to our collective reactions to Vir Das’s video more than an opinion or response on his performance itself. As to the latter, if I take away the grand stage and the weight of Vir Das’s popularity, I didnt find his piece/performance to be much more than a cleverly worded WhatsApp forward.
I understand your point that the sincerity in his voice and his courage in using the grand stage made it more than that. In general, Vir Das’s style, to me, comes across as “practiced”. His tone is careful and measured, which is different from the typical stand-up artist, and I have no problems with that. But when I watch him, I am reacting like I would to a “staged performance” which makes it feel remote. Unless, the content is sharp and incisive that it makes me sit up, and that I did not find in this video.
Hey Karthik. Thank you! :)
It is indeed a response to how Vir's piece has been received. And I can agree on the sharpness of his contents for this monologue. There wasn't anything revolutionary.
But I liked the way he put it, and the things he added to what you rightly called clever turns of phrase. I respect thought, touch, and effort being put into a performance. I think Vir mostly does that, having seen his stuff for a few years now. That said, liking this style is down to personal preference, so I hear you when you think of it as staged and remote. He definitely isn't raw, yeah.