Laugh, and ‘Club’ Laughs With You

Large groups of people--men, women and children--stand around pointing fingers, sticking out their tongues and laughing at one another for 20 minutes each day. And they think of it as therapy.

This growing phenomenon is explored in “The Laughing Club of India,” an amusingly odd and offbeat documentary proposing the theory that laughter indeed is the best medicine.

Directed by Mira Nair, whose films range from “Mississippi Masala” to the more recent “Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love,” this 35-minute program profiles Dr. Madan Kataria, a physician who developed a technique of “thought-free” laughter based on yoga in which individuals gather in public places to laugh aloud.

It sounds strange and looks even stranger, but participants declare it has cured what ails them, be it illness or unhappiness.

“I don’t feel so empty and I don’t think about the past so much. I don’t feel so nervous,” says a woman who attends daily sessions that start with deep breathing and a ho-ho, ha-ha-ha exercise, followed by different forms of simulated laughter. And as the chortling spreads, it takes on a life of its own.

According to an older member of the club, “The beauty of this movement is that there is no form, no fee, no fuss. Come and stand [with us]; you are a member.”

Another woman in the group appreciates the sense of freedom derived from these gatherings. “In Indian society,” she says, “there are so many restrictions. You can’t do this and you can’t do that. At the laughter club, I get to do nonsense.”

Kataria, who has become known as the Guru of Giggling, has opened 450 clubs all over India, with new ones introduced every week, according to the program. Clubs have also opened in Europe, Australia, Malaysia and even the United States.

Laugh if you will, but Kataria’s technique seems to be working.

“The Laughing Club of India” can be seen tonight at 7 on Cinemax. The network has rated it TV-G (suitable for all ages).

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