Nothing circus about it

By T. Lalith Singh

HYDERABAD, APRIL 6. The grand arena cries for attention. Once, it was the most popular form of entertainment with dazzling acrobats, daring ring masters to whose tune the wildest of the animals swayed and the clowns who left packed audiences in raptures. Those were the days when circus arrived in cities and towns, raising dust and also enthusiasm. Not any more. The dust is raised though, with truckloads of paraphernalia arriving but enthusiasm conspicuously remains low.

The Great Rayman Circus is busy pitching tents in the city -- after a lapse of 13 years -- at Autonagar, Vanasthalipuram. A total of 58 truckloads of equipment, artistes and animals have arrived here from their last sojourn at Jalna in Maharashtra. "Blame it on television or films, but public response to circus has waned," says Harish, a gymnast, who has been performing his feats for the last 22 years. Increasing operational costs and an active animal welfare group which has put spokes on the use of animals at circuses have further compounded their problems.

"We employ around 300 persons apart from the large number of animals. The daily maintenance itself works out to Rs. 50,000," says Mithin Madan of Rayman Circus. Apart from the huge tents for performances, the circus also puts up smaller living tents for the artistes to stay closer to the scene of action. The entire troupe is on the move travelling to at least 10 cities or towns every year. "Mobilisation is the most difficult proposition. Transportation, dismantling and setting up the circus make our pockets go dry," he laments.

The restrictions imposed by the Centre on the exhibition and performance of animals, too, had robbed the sheen and spirit of circus. "They used to be our main attraction. Repeated applause used to resound in the arenas for the extraordinary abilities of taming wild animals such as tigers and lions," rues an artiste. The Great Rayman Circus presently has six elephants, nine tigers, 15 lions, apart from horses and camels. "But we cannot use them for performances as our appeal against the Centre's decision is pending with the Supreme Court," says Madan.

"I have been making people laugh for decades and will continue to do so. It gives me immense pleasure when I see so many people laughing at my antics," exclaims U. Johnson, a dwarf who is joined by five other clowns. The Great Rayman Circus will unfold on Saturday and will be open for the next 45 days.

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Section  : Southern States
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