Laugh- A- Lot @ St. John’s

Laugh- A- Lot @ St. John’s

– Ms Nanda C. Prem, Bengaluru

“A day without laughing is a day wasted” – Charlie Chaplin

World Laughter Day 2025 falls on Sunday, 4^th May. To mark the occasion, we showcase an inspiring initiative by the Department of Pain and Palliative Medicine at St. John’s Medical College & Hospital, Bengaluru, which explores the use of laughter therapy as a form of emotional support and holistic healing for patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals alike.

Clown, clown, clown! At first, everyone laughed upon hearing the word. But soon, a heated discussion began—What is clowning? What is the role of a clown in a hospital? Isn’t a clown just a joker?

But ‘He’ had a bag full of answers for everyone. Mr. Praveen Tulpule, a Navy veteran turned medical clown, is bridging healthcare and emotional well-being—with a generous touch of fun.

He began his conversation with a cheerful “Happy Birthday!”

I was confused. What should I say? Should I reply, “Thank you”? No.  Should I tell him, “But today’s not my birthday”? I didn’t know—I went blank.

Then I noticed how others responded. Some smiled and said, “Thank you.” Others played along—How did you know today is my birthday?”

That’s when I realized: “Happy Birthday” wasn’t just a greeting—it was his way of instantly connecting, a ladder into people’s hearts.

Between 6^th and 8^th February, 2005, he was with us at St. John’s Hospital, Bengaluru, bringing life to the OPD, pediatric wards, and oncology wards.

He taught us that clowning is not just about being a joker. It’s a therapeutic approach that lifts the happiness quotient and supports the mental well-being of patients, carers, and health care professionals.

His red nose brought an instant smile to a patient’s face, turning fear into laughter.
His funny voice made an elderly patient chuckle, momentarily forgetting their worries.
His oversized shoes made a child giggle as he stumbled playfully, lightening the hospital’s atmosphere.

But it wasn’t just laughter.

Some viewed him as a doctor, others as a counselor, and still others as a friend.

There were those who sought his blessings, and others who opened up, pouring out emotions they had long held in.

And in the end, he spread the fragrance of petrichor—that rare, refreshing scent of rain-soaked earth and new beginnings.

Several studies have shown that laughter therapy plays a meaningful role in enhancing the quality of life for patients in palliative care settings. In palliative care, where the focus is on comfort and dignity, holistic care addresses not just physical symptoms, but emotional, social, and spiritual well-being too. Laughter therapy, as practiced by Mr. Tulpule, aligns perfectly with this philosophy—bringing joy, reducing stress, and offering a moment of relief in the midst of pain. It reminds us that healing is not always about curing, but often about connecting, comforting, and caring.

It’s easy to make people cry. But to make them laugh—genuinely laugh—is something else entirely.

They say laughter is the best medicine, even capable of adding years to our lives. If that’s true, then Mr. Tulpule is nothing short of a godlike figure—extending lives by simply making us laugh.