Wit and Humour

Wondering what to post, I fell back on the amazing Wit and Humour in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Council 1921-1971, Volume I.

It is best to let such books fall open at random, so I did -- and found this:
Humorous Definition of 'Tiller of the Soil'

On the 24th of September 1956, during the Debate in the Council on the Madras Cultivating Tenants Protection (Amendment) Bill, 1956, a humorous situation erupted when the Minister (The Hon. Thiru M. A. Manickavelu) tried to give a "layman's definition" as he himself put it, to the term 'tiller of the soil' by saying: "As I understand, a tiller of the soil is a person who, with a very scanty dress -- he has no coat, no turban and no umbrella in hand -- takes a plough and ploughs the land. There is sweat on his brow."

The following exchanges then took place:

"Sri A. M. Allapichai: Is it a crime to wear coat?

The Hon. Sri M. A. Manickavelu: No, not at all, even a long coat can be worn (referring to the Member's long coat). (Laughter) So, the tiller of the soil is the opposite of one who wears a coat and turban holding a walking stick or umbrella in hand and goes round his field, comes back home, takes coffee and chews pansupari.

Dr. V. K. John: Is he too old or too young?

Sri. A. M. Allapichai: Suppose he applied his mind? Application of mind also is physical labour.

The Hon. Sri M. A. Manickavelu: Yes, Sir. He must very much apply his mind because if he wants to take away the weeds, he should not pull out the crops in the process. Mind also plays its part."

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Nancy,

I think this is hilarious.

Charu

Unknown said...

Nancy, this is good. One wonders how many of the Indian legislators of today have such sense of humor.

Anil P said...

The exchange is remarkable for its candour.

The Unadorned said...

Lawyers and legislators can argue for days. And when they reach the end of it, it's a revealing situation. Once they almost decided that sugarcane is vegetable!

Thanx, Nancy. I enjoyed reading ur post.

Nanda
http://ramblingnanda.blogspot.com
http://remixoforchid.blogspot.com

ashok said...

funny

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madraskaari said...

did you read this piece by Mani Suri. It was too funny:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/16/magazine/16food-t-000.html?scp=1&sq=manil+suri+coq&st=nyt

Anonymous said...

This is very cool indeed! Thanks for sharing!


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