ISLAMABAD: It’s the age of insolence.
And Pakistanis are laughing their way through every minute of it through carefully curated stand-up comedy shows in Islamabad.
At the forefront of this mission are the Insolent Knights theater group – launched by Tulin Khalid-Azmi and Natasha Humera Ejaz – and Auratnaak, which comprises an all-women ensemble.
On Tuesday, the Insolent Knights lit up the stage at Black Box Sounds in Islamabad’s G-8 sector where actors, comedians and singers came together for some “unapologetic story telling.”
The topics ranged from political issues to societal pressures – something that everyone relates with but not many talk about.
“We are all tired of being told how to behave, and what constitutes ‘appropriate’ behavior. ‘Act like a lady!’ ‘Be a man! Such shows remind us that we are not alone, that it’s ok to feel like you don’t belong,” Khalid-Azmi told Arab News, adding that most people found the entire experience “empowering.”
“Seeing people a few feet away from you, speaking their truth...it’s empowering in a way that [TV or film] screens cannot do,” he said.
The release and escape from mundane everydays is something that several audience members, who spoke to Arab News, resonated with.
“With Kashmir [issue], dharnas [protests], climate change and inflation, we may have burst the dam in terms of what we can handle as individuals,” Nafeesa Haider, who’s a regular at Insolent Knights’ shows, told Arab News.
In a time where it’s easier to be singular rather than plural, attendees said such platforms helped bring like-minded people together under one roof and “felt like a revival of a sense of community from somewhat simpler times.”
“People actually felt like they were friends with strangers they just sat next to because [Auratnaak and Insolent Knights] made us all enjoy the same thing so effortlessly,” Haider said.
Since it’s inception in October, the Insolent Knights have performed to sold out audiences.
The show on Tuesday, the second in five weeks, was conceptualized due to popular demand and includes notable actors and comedians such as Usman Mukhtar and Osman Khalid Butt in the line-up.
“It’s not everybody’s cup of tea and there’s room to offend lots of people, but there is a certain audience that wants this content,” Mukhtar said, adding that “this sudden spike of events” is good news and sets the stage for more performances in the future.
At the other end of the spectrum is Auratnaak, a group of 11 women comedians which includes journalists, filmmakers, doctors, law enforcement officials and mothers. Their conversations are on topics “Pakistanis tend to brush under the carpet.”
“When you look at Auratnaak, it was actually amazing to see so many women comedians, and such a diverse round up. You had older women, there was even a cop! How many people here have heard from cops and that too from a woman doing stand up?,” Mukhtar said.
Auratnaak comedian Humay Waseem says she wouldn’t have it any other way.
“People need a release and a relief. Comedy and theater offer that and they also act as brilliant unifiers of people,” she said.
And it’s that very concept which seems to be gluing people together.
Actor and Insolent Knights performer, Mustafa Ali Khan, agrees.
“Shows like Auratnaak and Insolent Knights help people feel somewhat rebellious and irreverent. That’s what attracts them..saying and doing stuff just because you feel like it,” he said.
Khalid-Azmi, who in addition to being a performer also manages the direction and production departments for Insolent Knights, said that up until a few years ago, it was “inconceivable” to have an event sell out so quickly.
“It’s amazing, especially without a lack of support from the authorities or the corporate sector, the only way shows such as ours can survive is because of our audiences. The audience wants interesting content... As long as somebody can relate to what we are saying, they keep coming back to see us,” he said.
