Video summary
The video documents an encounter with a man named Ram, who walks through the streets of India carrying a whip that he uses to create loud cracking noises as part of a street performance. The narrator explains that Ram demonstrates his strength and divine blessings by whipping the air, which elicits reactions from passersby who believe he is being struck by powerful forces. This display attracts significant attention, with shopkeepers and pedestrians offering him money ranging from five to ten rupees at various locations, viewing him as a formidable and godly figure. The atmosphere is one of genuine respect, where locals greet him with "Namaste" and willingly contribute small amounts to support his act without any coercion.
A key aspect of this phenomenon is the cultural belief that giving money to Ram helps ward off bad wishes or negative energy from the giver. The narrator notes that people do not force him to accept tips; if an individual chooses not to give money, Ram simply moves on to the next person. This voluntary contribution highlights a unique social dynamic where the act of paying for a blessing is seen as a protective measure against misfortune. The video captures moments where the whip's sound is so intense that it causes physical reactions, such as shaking hands, further convincing bystanders of his supernatural strength and the authenticity of his performance.
Despite the spectacle, the narrator reveals that the entire event is actually a trick designed to entertain and generate income rather than a display of actual superhuman power. The loud noises are created intentionally to simulate being hit by a powerful force, capitalizing on the public's desire for protection and awe. While the participants may not initially realize the mechanics behind the illusion, the video concludes by emphasizing how deeply ingrained these traditions are in local life, where strangers can be seen walking with whips and collecting donations simply because people want to avoid bad luck. The experience serves as an eye-opening glimpse into a specific cultural practice that blends performance art with spiritual superstition.
Read the full video transcript
Wow.
Hello.
Oh, wow, wow, wow.
And
so we were just guys we were just
actually he was driving and we saw Ram
and Ram I guess walks around with this
whip showing how strong he is. And like
showing me how good blessings he has
from the God and he's getting wishes
from the people and the money. Okay.
Yeah. So then he goes with this whip and
then he makes a huge crack, right? And
then people big noise. Okay. Yeah. So
people can believe like oh he's getting
hit hard and he's so strong and
powerful.
>> Okay, okay and and can you ask him how
much people give him each time? Like how
much money people give?
Five to 10. Five to 10 rupees. Can can
ask him if we can follow him for a
couple places where he does this?
Yeah. Okay, amazing.
I'm so I'm so happy to have Wandering PK
with me. So by the way, he's doing
Jaipur tours under Hike with PK on
Instagram. Otherwise I would have no
idea what this was.
So
Yeah, he's going to show you some Okay,
watch watch watch.
OH, OH,
OH. I THINK PEOPLE this is just about
the noise he's creating.
Look at that. Another 10 rupees. Okay,
okay.
This is amazing. Yeah, he's sweating.
Oh, wow. I don't want to stand too close
to this thing cuz it would probably
make a hole in my skin. Yeah. Oh, like
now he's coming to more people.
Okay, no luck here so we're going to the
next.
THIS IS
WHAT?
OH! IT'S MAKING MY HAND SHAKE.
This is crazy.
Look at all the shopkeepers, they're
respecting him. Hello. Namaste.
Wow, and all the shopkeepers are
respecting him and giving him 10 rupees
each location. Huh?
And people they go along with it.
They're like, "Okay, yeah, this guy is
badass. He's godly, he's strong. Yeah.
Here's 10 rupees. Look at this. Look at
this. He don't know this trick. He's
just making the noise. Oh. He's not
hitting himself. Right. Yeah, he just
noise. If you hear you just saying how
he could walk. Right. Right. Right.
>> This much energy. Right. Right. Right.
So, look at this. Now he's at the liquor
store. Is the liquor store going to give
him money?
Oh, look at that. Oh, wow. Okay. Rum.
Dhani Maji. Dhani Maji. Here,
uh tell tell him I want to give him some
rupees also for a blessing.
Okay.
Dhani Maji.
Wow. Something you learned in India
every time you're here. I had no idea.
That was So interesting.
So
Oh, you want a handshake? Hello. Hello.
So, it's so interesting. I've never seen
anything like this before.
>> Yeah. And again, if if if you don't
know, if you're not from here, you're
going to see people like this walking on
the street and you'll have no idea the
significance.
>> are giving money because they don't want
bad wishes from them. Oh. Yeah.
>> [laughter]
>> So, it's a trick. So, kind of like the
the trance thing.
>> thing. The
uh they they they don't want the bad
wishes, so they just give even like 10
rupees. So, it's like 12 cents US, which
is
>> And it's not 10 rupees. You can give 2
rupees, 5 rupees, or 10 rupees. Just any
type to you. Okay.
>> Yeah. Okay.
>> And they don't force. Okay. That's the
good thing about them. They are not
forcing it. Right. If you don't want to
give it, they go to next place.
>> Okay. Okay. Wow. Okay. Interesting.
Thank you so much.
>> No problem. Was there Was there again, I
know you said there's not really a name
for this, but is there something like
it's like there's the blessing thing.
Okay.
>> Yeah. Okay. Interesting.
>> in in the caption. I will search Okay.
and give you the name. Okay. Awesome.
Cool. All right. I hope you guys watch
this video. Again, we were just driving
down the street, going to get a haircut,
watch this video, and then he he pointed
it out. I had no idea even what I was
looking for. I think he was pointing out
the little mobile Yeah.
>> stand here with the wheels. So
>> this is like the cheap area to buy
stuff. So we're going to try and find
like a dollar haircut right now. Yeah.