Vittachi

Hotel Kerala-fornia

Contrary to conventional belief, there really is humor in Asia. This skit on "Hotel California" is doing the rounds in India, and was sent in by reader Seema -- thanks, Seema.

HOTEL KERALA-FONIA (to the tune of “Hotel California”)

                  On the road to Trivandrum
                  Coconut oil in my hair
                  Warm smell of avial
                  Rising up through the air
                  Up ahead in the distance
                  I saw a bright pink tube-light
                  My tummy rumbled, I felt weak and thin
                  I had to stop for a bite

Indian humor

How do you make a Sri Lankan laugh? No, it’s not a joke. I need to know. A busy public speaker, your humble narrator has appeared on stage (and sometimes bombed) in a variety of odd corners of Asia. The toughest audiences are South Asians. My fellow subcontinentals have a brand of humour all their own. It’s not easy to get into—but it’s well worth the effort.

In a bid to battle the imminent tragedy of global humour being defined by "America’s Funniest Home Videos", this blog occasionally pays homage to under-appreciated comedy from Asia. Today’s focus: South Asian humour.