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The CIRCUS comes to town
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A circus show is on to provide pure entertainment to the citywallahs. VIJAY GEORGE checks out the scene in the big, colourful tent.
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IT'S A different world altogether. When daredevilry takes the front seat and life turns risky, all in an effort to "provide, perhaps the only `perfectly clean' entertainment in the world, where a family can sit together and enjoy, these days," to quote one from the clan. Started in 1909 by the Walavalkers, `The Great Royal Circus' has come to Kochi for the first time, in its history. Now, it is a sister concern of the Jumbo and the Great Bombay Circus groups.
"Since the 1960s we have been touring continuously for almost 26 years, in 24 countries," says Dileep Raghavan, the director of `The Great Royal Circus', who hails from Badagara and has been in this business for nearly 35 years.
Just hours before their first show in Kaloor's Manappattipparambu grounds, the whole area is abuzz with frenetic activity. Besides, all the usual events associated with circus including the trapeze, motor bikes, the clowns, the jugglers, the elephants, horses and camels, the show in Kochi boasts of performances by eight artists from Uzbekistan, who are in India, "as part of a cultural exchange programme." Among them, the Valery family is well known for their brilliance in acrobatics.
"The Russians have a natural flair for circus. The support of the Government is tremendous there. Well-placed men and women pursue it almost as a hobby by performing in a circus. There are many institutions that give training to those interested in learning the art. We too can emulate this idea by including this art in our curriculum, for those who are interested," says Mr. Raghavan.
The Great Royal Circus boasts of around 100 performers and about a 150 persons, behind the curtains. Of this, around ten per cent are Malayalis.
According to a veteran, who is part of the crew, "the circus industry in the country, as such, is facing tough times now. A close to 30, 000 families depend for their livelihood on this industry.
Some years ago, the situation was far worse, but things seem to be improving of late, with the audiences showing more interest in the art. But the turning point in the history of the circus industry has been the restriction imposed on performances using wild animals. It has never been the same, since then."
The ban on animals in circus shows was brought into effect, some years back, by the Government which took away animals like lions, tigers, monkeys, and bears out of the circus tents. The circus companies are trying to come out of this "crisis ."
"We used to have a spectacular collection of wild animals that included eight chimpanzees, which we had procured during our tours to countries in Africa. After the ban, they were taken to the zoo in Mysore. During our last performance in Bangalore, when we went to meet them, to our wonder the chimpanzees recognised their trainers and the affection displayed by them, was seen to be believed," smiles Dileep. The circus groups also find it tough to get centrally located grounds to perform, "which is more so, since the elections have been declared."
The performers do daily warm-ups and rehearsals. "Though most of the items in the show are risky, adequate care has been taken for the safety of the artists. We have been insured too," says a performer.
"The artists in the circus are well paid now when compared to earlier times and they lead a normal life," says one from the fraternity.
"We take care of the artists very well and discipline is maintained especially since lots of girls are there and they have to travel and stay at night," tells Dileep.
Now, with the schools having closed for the summer vacations, "it's the season" for the circus groups. For the audiences, it's the time to be spell bound by the performances of the artists, which, at times could send a chill down one's spine.
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Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Madurai
Thiruvananthapuram
Vijayawada
Visakhapatnam
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