After ban on use of wild animals: Circus artistes take to daring acrobatic feats

Mysuru, Apr. 26 (OSR) – Following the ban on use of wild animals in 1998 and elephants from outside the State since last year, the Great Bombay Circus, which has returned to Mysuru after a gap of 10 years,  has come up with a host of new daring acrobatic feats by artistes.

Addressing a press meet at the Circus Tent pitched at the Horse Park behind Mysuru Zoo in Nazarbad, K.M. Sanjeev, Proprietor of the Circus, said that they were now focusing more on acrobatic gymnastics by roping in performers from foreign countries like Ethiopia, Russia and China besides artistes from different States of India.

The main attractions at the Circus, which began its shows on Apr. 15, are the sky walk, comic chair act, acrobat juggling, bird act, vertical swinging acrobat, Russian devil clown act, high wheel cycle skipping, stick balance, hula hoop, ring balance, roller act, basketball etc.

Trained animals like camels, horses, dogs and exotic birds including scarlet macaw, the blue and yellow macaw, African grey parrot and pigeons are adding glitz to the show which will conclude in May second week.

The huge tent can accommodate about 1,500 spectators, Sanjeev said and added that “Earlier before the ban on inclusion of wild animals, performance by animals formed 50% of the acts in the Circus. Now their role has come down to 20% while that of the artistes has gone up to 80%.”

“There are about 70 performers accompanied by over 100 supporting staff to run the show. We need about Rs. 80,000 to Rs. 1 lakh per day to run the show,” Sanjeev said and sought support from Mysureans to come in large numbers and encourage the artistes. Stating that before Zoos came into existence, it was Circus which introduced wild animals and birds to people, he said many people used to throng the Circus just to see these animals whom we treat like our own children.

Scenes for movies like Amitabh Bachchan’s ‘Don’, Hrithik Roshan’s ‘Krrish’ and Surya’s ‘Seventh Sense’ are said to have been shot at this Circus.

Some of the artistes, speaking to SOM said that they need encouragement and appreciation from people because that is what keeps them going.

They also urged the government to recognise them on par with film and sports personalities by giving them national awards on the lines of Russian government.

NOTE: There will be three shows daily at 1 pm, 4 pm and 7 pm with advance booking facility.