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getting a friend or their sons and daughters to play parts in it. The process involved sending them their dialogues online, instructing how to act and then asking them to send it across.
A friend generously suggested that her son can edit the videos so the final shots were then sent to him for compilation.
I launched my own YouTube channel
after the first comedy video which was done in my mother tongue, went Viral in Assam.
Thus started the journey of ‘Chai Garam’ my YouTube channel, where I kept uploading comedy videos to dispel the gloom and spread some happiness in peoples’ lives.
Calls started pouring in from Well-wishers and friends encouraging me and writing to me saying they were eagerly waiting for the next one. Meanwhile, an interesting incident occurred. My mother called me up one morning saying that her dear friend rang her up, telling her she was in a sad state after losing a family member but then her daughter came and showed her a comedy video of mine. She laughed and felt cheerful for the first time in weeks. I experienced a certain amount of fulfilment for contributing to someone’s joy, even if for a while.
A month later after I had uploaded a handful of comedies, a prime Television channel of Assam, DY365 got in touch asking for an hour long interview in their channel. The talking point being of the videos gaining popularity and going viral in Assam and certain other places of Bengal including the NRI Assamese diaspora abroad. The programme titled “Garam Chai with Gayatri” instantly made me a household name in Assam.
I realised I had unknowingly changed adversity to something creative, challenging and exciting. Given the arbitrary nature of life at the moment I find myself living more in the moment, maybe that's why I feel calmer.
I felt that the Universe also gave me this time to bond with my daughter who had flown out of home to Bangalore for her college, immediately after her boards. Prior to that, the pressure of performing in studies, her natural teenage mood swings and rebellion against parents had created an emotional and mental divide between us. After a year now in college, she is back home in a happier state of mind and valuing my existence. We now spend time together, sharing and communicating about various ideas and emotions.
For each person, this situation has brought in different experiences, challenges and expectations, but as long as we have food to eat and shelter provided and are physically healthy and safe, let us take the path of gratitude. This pandemic made me realize the absurdity of spending unnecessary amount of money on your closet in the name of vanity wherein one silk saree can provide the annual fee for an under privileged child’s schooling.
Instead of getting weary of the limitations during this time, let’s explore our inner self, our creativity, connect with friends and family and catch up with all the wonderful books that are lying on our shelves only to be dusted and picked. In fact, let’s delve into whatever gives joy, it could be revisiting earlier hobbies of singing, cooking or gardening or even maybe picking a new skill or a course online.
As of today, after my morning chores, I will make myself a good cup of tea, make a few calls to family and friends, and settle down to read. Right now, I am reading Perumal Murugan’s “Estuary”. Ironically and interestingly it’s a razor-sharp parody on existence.
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