The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : No space to pitch the umbrella tent of circus

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Friday, May 30, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

No space to pitch the umbrella tent of circus

S. Harpal Singh

Open spaces in towns and cities are shrinking because of new constructions

Vanishing land: Large open spaces needed for a circus to pitch tents are becoming progressively rare in towns and cities.

ADILABAD: The business of circus is fast losing ground as open grounds in urban areas dwindle progressively. The growing shortage of open spaces has become the new ground reality of this form of entertainment that is already plagued by ban of animals and increasing apathy of audience.

“We need an open space measuring about 400 ft X 500 ft for our establishment. During the last decade or so such large spaces have vanished from cities and towns,” points out Praveen Kumar, manager of Empire circus of Kolkata that is opening in Adilabad on Friday.

Once famous

The Empire circus is an A grade unit that tours across the length and breadth of the country. Praveen Kumar cites examples of some famous grounds that were hitherto popular for accommodating circus’ and are not accessible now.

Scenario in Delhi

“Take the case of the ground in front of Delhi’s Red Fort. For security reasons we cannot set up our show there. Delhi does not have more of such spaces. In Hyderabad and Secunderabad the Nampally exhibition grounds and the Gymkhana grounds were our regular venues. None of it is given to us now. The last time we played there we had to camp in Kukatpally,” he says.

“Even in medium sized towns like Nizamabad the open spaces are shrinking because of new constructions. The stadium being constructed in the open ground hampered our operations,” he adds.

It is not just for housing such a large establishment that large open spaces are required within the inner parts of urban areas. Centrally located areas automatically attract audiences resulting in good business. Circus has not reported good business in rural areas.

Good business

“Though we have spent about Rs. 50,000 in ground preparation, we expect good business because of it central location,” says the circus manager of the ground belonging to Endowment department.

It takes over a month to get the ground ready before the circus arrives in a given town. While permission for use of the facility consumes more time some more is required to prepare it to suit the needs of the circus.

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