What comes to your mind when you think of a doctor? When I was a kid, all I could picture was doctors with big needles and I hated them. I might still hate needles, but I don't hate doctors anymore because I have friends who are doctors and I know the sacrifices they make. Recently, though, I met a doctor that even managed to make me laugh. Kaushik Balasubramanian is a standup comedian-cum-doctor from Coimbatore and you can trust him to send the audience into fits of laughter.
Wonder how he managed to find his 'funny bone' while pursuing a tedious profession like medicine? He explains, "Instead of a day off, I get hours off. It is a hectic job, and I have to work round the clock. But that has never been my excuse to stop experimenting with my passion. I have performed shows after my night duty and tried hard not to yawn on stage. It is difficult, but not impossible."
He goes on to say how being a medical professional gives him ideas which make him stand out from fellow standup comedians. "I have made and shared videos on medical concepts like PG preparation, doctors getting married and concepts of psychiatry on my Instagram handle. These are entertaining and broadly welcomed by the online audience. But such concepts may sound alien to a general crowd. So I use ideas that the masses can relate to. Each show depends on the crowd we are addressing," explains the 26-years-old.
Talking about his experience on the dais, he says he regularly performs at open mic events and also hosts standup comedy shows. Apart from that, he also initiated Kovai Jam, a platform for local artists to exhibit their talent. "The key to performing good standup comedy is, be witty enough to make them laugh, but also make sure that you don't hurt anyone. That is the challenging part," says Kaushik.
Highlighting how he uses comedy even to help patients, he says, "If a patient is suffering from an illness, the emotional balance plays a vital role. Music therapy or just watching comedy shows or videos help in diverting the pain and gaining mental strength," says the YouTuber.
Adding more about his professional life, he says that he would like to maintain a balance in being a doctor and a standup comedian. "I am an upcoming artist. I am yet to reach the top, but, I am enjoying the climb," concludes Kaushik.
