The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : The big top continues to draw the crowds

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Thursday, Jan 10, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

The big top continues to draw the crowds

Deepthi Govindarajan and Nishanth Pio

Jumbo Circus also features acts by European artistes

— Photo: K. Murali Kumar

Daring: A member of the Jumbo Circus performing a gymnastic act in Bangalore.

BANGALORE: The scene is deceptively domestic. People stretching, eating and little children running around in an open ground. No, it is not a picnic: it is a scene at the Jumbo Circus that has pitched its tent in the city, and its employees are engrossed in their morning routine.

However, the magic of the night before has worn off all too soon. And it becomes clear that as much as their days may be about performing under the arc lights, their lives are far from glamorous.

Santosh, a 27-year-old acrobat, lives in a tiny tent with his wife Pooja, who is also an acrobat. The tent looked like it had outdone its capacity, with just the basic necessities. For the small town resident from Nepal, the fascination for the circus made him take it up as a profession and he has been with the circus for 10 years. “This is what I have always wanted to do,” dismissing his modest lifestyle.

Working with them is Mohan, a more seasoned performer. He has been with the circus for over 20 years and has had the misfortune of watching several performers take the plunge to their death. “I am scared, but practice helps me overcome my fear,” said Mohan, but the years spent with the circus and the difficulties of it showed on his tired face.

His wife, Preethi, who was born and brought up in the circus, fully understands the complexities involved in circus life. One of her greatest regrets, she says, is to live away from her children. “We travel all the time, and so decided that the children will stay with their uncle. We work hard to educate our children in the hope that they have a better life.”

The Jumbo Circus also features performances by European (primarily Russian) artistes. Bahodir, an artist from Uzbekistan, who has been in India for over three years, now says he enjoys being here. “This is something like an exchange programme.” he says.

“In Russia, the circus is a respected institution and the performers are considered artistes and given due respect. For someone coming from that environment, the hooting and jeering from an unappreciative audience is highly demotivating.”

Rasina, another artist from Russia chose to be a part of the circus to fulfil her childhood dream to be a star. She said she loves the show business and aspires to become a Hollywood or Bollywood star one day.

She admits that the road she is travelling is a long and tiresome one. She admitted that as much as she enjoys her work, she goes through phases of depression that she feels comes from her having to do the same drill over and over again.

As the entertainment industry radically transforms into a globalised arena, in your face and inescapable phenomenon is the circus becoming a thing of the past?

Mohan is optimistic about the future of the circus: “How long can you sit at home and watch television?” he asks. “Besides, the circus is also constantly evolving. We have managed to survive and the circus will continue to be a major part of society.”

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