Disrupting discourses: the convergence of language, and cultural identity in Indian vernacular stand-up comedy

Being a multifaceted nation, India is characterized by linguistic diversity, regional identities, and a vibrant tradition of political satire. The present study explores the emergence, evolution, and cultural and political implications of comedy that operates within local language and cultural conte...

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Main Authors: Farhan Ahmad, Anmolpreet Kaur, Sohaib Alam, Sameena Banu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:Cogent Arts & Humanities
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311983.2025.2469454
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author Farhan Ahmad
Anmolpreet Kaur
Sohaib Alam
Sameena Banu
author_facet Farhan Ahmad
Anmolpreet Kaur
Sohaib Alam
Sameena Banu
author_sort Farhan Ahmad
collection DOAJ
description Being a multifaceted nation, India is characterized by linguistic diversity, regional identities, and a vibrant tradition of political satire. The present study explores the emergence, evolution, and cultural and political implications of comedy that operates within local language and cultural contexts. It aims to analyse Indian vernacular stand-up comedy, and how it is used to highlight the native cultural absurdities and a tool of political resilience. The study underscores how growing standardisation has prompted Indian stand-up comics to opt for the vernacular modes. These vernacular voices establish a counter-hegemonic tradition by creating a more liberating landscape against institutional hierarchies of cultural and linguistic representation. By applying Foucault’s conceptual framework of power, discourse, and governmentality, this analysis unravels the intricate dynamics between power, control, discourse, and the subversive potential of humour. The study reveals that vernacular stand-up comedy as a creative expression of resilience advances critical discussion on language, culture, and identity.
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spelling doaj-art-618da9948902401186e1660cb7611cb42025-08-20T03:21:31ZengTaylor & Francis GroupCogent Arts & Humanities2331-19832025-12-0112110.1080/23311983.2025.2469454Disrupting discourses: the convergence of language, and cultural identity in Indian vernacular stand-up comedyFarhan Ahmad0Anmolpreet Kaur1Sohaib Alam2Sameena Banu3Department of English Language and Literature, College of Sciences and Humanities, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Alkharj, Kingdom of Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Management, Baba Farid College of Engineering and Technology, Punjab, IndiaDepartment of English Language and Literature, College of Sciences and Humanities, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Alkharj, Kingdom of Saudi ArabiaDepartment of English Language and Literature, College of Sciences and Humanities, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Alkharj, Kingdom of Saudi ArabiaBeing a multifaceted nation, India is characterized by linguistic diversity, regional identities, and a vibrant tradition of political satire. The present study explores the emergence, evolution, and cultural and political implications of comedy that operates within local language and cultural contexts. It aims to analyse Indian vernacular stand-up comedy, and how it is used to highlight the native cultural absurdities and a tool of political resilience. The study underscores how growing standardisation has prompted Indian stand-up comics to opt for the vernacular modes. These vernacular voices establish a counter-hegemonic tradition by creating a more liberating landscape against institutional hierarchies of cultural and linguistic representation. By applying Foucault’s conceptual framework of power, discourse, and governmentality, this analysis unravels the intricate dynamics between power, control, discourse, and the subversive potential of humour. The study reveals that vernacular stand-up comedy as a creative expression of resilience advances critical discussion on language, culture, and identity.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311983.2025.2469454Vernacular stand-up comedymulticultural rootspowerdiscoursegovernmentalityActing and script analysis
spellingShingle Farhan Ahmad
Anmolpreet Kaur
Sohaib Alam
Sameena Banu
Disrupting discourses: the convergence of language, and cultural identity in Indian vernacular stand-up comedy
Cogent Arts & Humanities
Vernacular stand-up comedy
multicultural roots
power
discourse
governmentality
Acting and script analysis
title Disrupting discourses: the convergence of language, and cultural identity in Indian vernacular stand-up comedy
title_full Disrupting discourses: the convergence of language, and cultural identity in Indian vernacular stand-up comedy
title_fullStr Disrupting discourses: the convergence of language, and cultural identity in Indian vernacular stand-up comedy
title_full_unstemmed Disrupting discourses: the convergence of language, and cultural identity in Indian vernacular stand-up comedy
title_short Disrupting discourses: the convergence of language, and cultural identity in Indian vernacular stand-up comedy
title_sort disrupting discourses the convergence of language and cultural identity in indian vernacular stand up comedy
topic Vernacular stand-up comedy
multicultural roots
power
discourse
governmentality
Acting and script analysis
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311983.2025.2469454
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