Dal Bahadur Gurung, popularly known as Hum Jayega (हम जाएगा) (1922–1992) is a person often cited as a funny character in folklore and jokes in Nepal, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Sikkim, Assam and Manipur.[1] Because of several unrealistic jokes and tales about him, many people considered him to be imaginary.

Hum Jayega
Born1922
Darjeeling, India
Died(1992-04-27)27 April 1992
Darjeeling, India
NationalityIndian
OccupationComedian
Known forProminent figure and legendary person often cited as a funny character in folklores and jokes in Eastern Nepal, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Sikkim, Assam and Manipur
TitleHum Jayega

Birth

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He was born in Chongtong Tea Estate of Darjeeling, India in March 1922.[2] His ancestors were from Makluwa, a hamlet in Panchthar district of Nepal. Hum Jayega's great grandfather Dhaujbeer Gurung migrated along with his family in 1814 AD.[3]

Early life

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In 1936, he ran away to Calcutta[3] to become a pilot, but it was not possible due to his poor academic background. With hurdles and economic hardships, he hanged around an engineering college and learned driving with a professor who was fond of his jokes.[2] In 1948, he returned to Darjeeling.[3] With his driving skills, he became cab driver with a post Second World War short-chassis Land Rover.[2] He was the first driver ever to take a vehicle to the summit of Tiger Hill, Darjeeling and Tumling.[3] In this new circle of friends he was popular by his nickname Hum Jayega. Whenever the tourists asked who will go on the muddy underdeveloped roads to the hills, he used to answer "hum jayega" (meaning "I'll go" in Hindi) and this is how he got his nickname.[2][4]

Career

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His famous jokes were available as three booklets but some pirated versions were also published.[2] Currently, his jokes are popular over the Internet[5][6][7][8][9] and several facebook pages.[10][11] Most of these jokes are in Nepali, lingua franca of Darjeeling, Nepal and surrounding areas but many of them have been translated to English. In 1985 he was screened for about two minutes in a popular Nepali movie Kusume Rumal[12] and it cleared that he is not just an imaginary character.

He continued working as a driver until he was 53 and engaged in publishing booklets of his jokes. His daughter remembers him as a responsible father who looked after the children even after his wife's death. He was concerned about the good education and future of the children and grandchildren.[2] He was a father of four daughters and one son. However it is also said that Hum Jayega lost all his wealth due to his drinking habit, leaving his family to live in poverty. But the misery was never able to estrange Hum Jayega from laughing and making others laugh. He died in April 1992.[3]

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The first collection of jokes based on the escapades of Hum Jayega was published by Bijoy Kumar Rai as 'Humjayegako Diary' in 1982, which consisted of two volumes. It was published under the banner of Sajha Pustak Prakashan (publishers) in Darjeeling.

References

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  1. ^ "Biography of Hum Jayega, the legend of jokes". Archived from the original on 7 July 2011. Retrieved 2 December 2010.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Humor Muglan Style: "Hum Jayega" | Metro | :: The Kathmandu Post ::". Ekantipur.com. 11 May 2008. Archived from the original on 20 July 2011. Retrieved 25 January 2012.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Humjayega.com » About Hum Jayega". Archived from the original on 17 April 2010. Retrieved 2 December 2010.
  4. ^ "CS : CyberSansar.com - Bidhata Rai: Hum Jayega's Lil Princess". CyberSansar.com. 17 April 2008. Retrieved 25 January 2012.
  5. ^ CS : CyberSansar.com - Bidhata Rai: Hum Jayega's Lil Princess
  6. ^ "Humjayaga Jokes". Archived from the original on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 2 December 2010.
  7. ^ Here are some jokes of hum jayega: « Jokes
  8. ^ "Hum Jayega and the annoying kid". bestcyberzone.com. Archived from the original on 7 July 2011. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
  9. ^ "Hum Jayega's Jokes and many more". Exploredarjeeling.com. Archived from the original on 2 October 2010. Retrieved 25 January 2012.
  10. ^ Niet compatibele browser | Facebook
  11. ^ Niet compatibele browser | Facebook
  12. ^ Video on YouTube
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