The typical path for Indian stand-up comedians runs through an engineering college. Hence, the running joke: Get a BE first, and then do what you really want. For 59-year-old Noida resident Manish Tyagi, it included an extra step: Twenty-three years in the Indian Navy. The NIT Jaipur Mechanical Engineering graduate and retired (1989-2012) Commander quit the armed forces in 2012 to chase the stage dream. If you had told him his decision was laughable, he’d have thanked you.
This weekend, he brings his unique brand of Hinglish comedy, interspersed with anecdotes from his time in service to a Khar stage. “I was always the jovial officer. I’d read jokes from magazines like Reader’s Digest, and add my own twists before narrating stories to staff onboard our ships,” he recalls. Safe to say, the disciplined officer in him is still alive. “Every venue that I perform in, I report 30 minutes before everyone else on the line-up. They’re always surprised to see me,” he laughs.
Former Indian Navy Commander Manish Tyagi. PICS COURTESY/MANISH TYAGI
Following his travels across postings in Mumbai, Goa, Lonavala, Visakhapatnam, Secunderabad, and Delhi, the Noida-based comedian has been taking stage as a motivational speaker and comedian for the last decade. “Having commanded platoons, open-mics were smooth sailing for me,” Tyagi admits. He has just one bone to pick with over-enthusiastic tipplers eyeing an easy discount: “They keep asking me, ‘[Naval] Canteen kab jaa rahe ho?’”
ON February 22; 6 pm
AT Khar Comedy Club, Platinum Avenue, Linking Road, Khar West.
LOG ON TO @kharcomedyclub, @knottycommander
ENTRY Rs 499
Sea and smile
Tyagi’s best bits inspired by his time at sea
>> I was out on a day when the rains were lashing down on Gurugram. I took a dig at the flooded roads. The woman with me quickly retorted, “Weren’t you in the Navy?”
>> When we were in the Navy, the young ones would often hear this cheeky dig from senior officers: When I was in uniform, you were in liquid form.
>> Young aspirants often ask me with a twinkle in their eye whether they should join the Army, Navy, or Air Force. The only correct answer to that is, whichever exam you can crack first.
Commander’s guidebook
Planning to quit your job to pursue stand-up comedy? Tyagi shares his beginner’s checklist
1 Don’t do it because people tell you you’re funny. Are you really passionate about comedy?
2 Keep the job until you’re able to match your monthly salary through stand-up shows.
3 Network with everyone. Talk to fellow first-timers and veterans alike.
4 Patience is key. Be prepared for long hours in the green room waiting for your spot.
