Ep 2. Summer of 92: Hasya

The show Navarasa season 1 episode 2 is titled "Summer of 92: Hasya." This episode is a part of the anthology series which has nine different stories, each representing a different emotion or 'rasa' in Indian classical art and literature.

"Summer of 92: Hasya" is a story that revolves around a young boy named Shiva, who is on summer vacation from school. Shiva lives in a small town with his parents and younger sister. He spends his days lazing around with friends, going to the movies, and playing cricket with his brother.

The story takes place in the year 1992, which was a significant year in Indian history. This was the year that a rally was organized by the Hindu nationalist political party, which ignited a wave of communal violence across the country that lasted for months.

Against this backdrop, the story of Shiva unfolds. He is a mischievous and outgoing boy who loves to play pranks on people. He has a particular fondness for his grandfather, who was a renowned comedian in his younger days and is now bedridden.

When Shiva learns that his grandfather is extremely unwell, he decides to cheer him up by performing a comedy skit. He enlists the help of his friends, and they come up with a plan to put on a show that will make his grandfather laugh.

The rest of the episode is focused on the preparations for the comedy skit, as well as the eventual performance for Shiva's grandfather. The skit is called "Jalebi Bai," and it is a hilarious take on a real-life incident that happened in their town.

The skit is well-received by everyone who sees it, and the episode ends on a happy note, with Shiva's grandfather smiling and laughing for the first time in days.

Overall, "Summer of 92: Hasya" is a heartwarming and funny episode that explores the power of laughter to heal and bring people together. It is a perfect example of the 'hasya' rasa, which is the Indian concept of humor and comedy.

The performances by the child actors are top-notch, and you can't help but smile as they take the stage to perform their skit. The episode also manages to address some serious issues, such as communal violence, without being preachy or heavy-handed.

If you're a fan of Indian classical art and literature, or if you just love a good laugh, then "Summer of 92: Hasya" is definitely an episode of Navarasa that you won't want to miss.