NEW DELHI: When was the last time you sat under a big top, spellbound, aching palms applauding the antics of clowns, acrobats, bears and lions? A long time ago, if lions were still leaping through fire rings. The circus today is a very different show from even a decade ago. After the ban on the use of rare animals in performances, the organizers have had to think up new ways to remain in business. The acts have become more complex, the props more interesting, and the artistes now come from all over the world. The Great Bombay Circus, now pitched at Bhera Enclave in Paschim Vihar, Outer Ring Road, already has Tanzanian gymnasts and Chinese candle balancers, and is expecting Russian acrobats next week.
For the circus, the added variety is essential for survival. "We have been fighting a hard and uneven battle competing with TV, internet and videogames," says Dilip Nair, co-owner of the GBC. Not so long ago, he says, the circus coming to town was the biggest entertainment all year. "In 1948, the circus ran for eight and a half months in the centre of Delhi, at the Ramlila Maidan. Today, the city barely lets us stay a month and we are put in some far out corner."
Costs, too, have shot up. The GBC claims to have paid DDA a rent of Rs 12 lakh for the Paschim Vihar ground, and it will move to Dwarka later this month.
To restore the classic circus charm and engage children, it constantly experiments with new acts, such as trampoline gymnastics, target shooting, bicycle performances, knife tricks and advanced acrobatics. At the same time, traditional circus acts such as juggling and eccentric jokers continue.
Animals also play a large, although controversial, role. While bears, tigers, lions, bulls and monkeys are banned, acts with elephants, camels, horses, dogs and exotic birds are part of the three-hour show. The crowd favourite is clearly the 'elephant cricket' act in which an elephant hits balls pitched by jokers with a bat held in its trunk.
"The animals are part of my livelihood. It's not in my interest to mistreat them," says Nair when asked about the demand from animal rights activists to ban all performances by animals. Does he see a future for circuses in India ? "There will always be an audience for live shows," says Nair, whose circus in now in its 93rd year. "I think the next 4-5 years will be the hardest, but if circuses can manage through that we will be okay."
GREAT BOMBAY CIRCUS IN DELHI
Established in 1920 Will perform in Paschim Vihar till Oct 27, then move to Dwarka Two-hour show includes 26-28 acts. Three shows a day, at 1pm, 4pm, 7pm Tickets priced Rs 50-300 Animal acts with elephants, horses, camels, dogs and exotic birds Indian artistes from Rajasthan, Bihar, Gujarat, W Bengal, Manipur and Kerala Foreign artistes from America, China, Nepal, Russia and Tanzania.
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