Indian Circus

Question 1

Vishnu Pant Chatre

Answer 1

• Founded Great Indian Circus in 1880, under the patronage of Raja of Kurduvadi.
• Vishnupant is called “Father of Indian Circus”

Question 2

Keeleri Kunhikannan

Answer 2

• In 1901, opened a Circus school at Chirakkara, Kerala, which became the epicentre of Circus in India
• Many Circus were started by his students.
• Called as “Father of Kerala Circus”
• Kerala is called “Cradle of Indian Circus”

Question 3

Three Ring Circus

Answer 3

• Started by K Damodharan

- First and only six pole three ring circus

Question 4

Great Royal Circus

Answer 4

• Started as Madhuskar’s Circus

- Later taken over by NR Walawalkar

Question 5

Great Bombay Circus

Answer 5

• Started by Baburao Kadam in 1920

- KM Kunhikannan, nephew of Keeleri merged his company with this

Question 6

Gemini Circus

Answer 6

• In 1951, started at Bilimora in Gujarat headed by MV Shankaran
• First Indian Circus to attend International Circus Festival in USSR

Question 7

Jumbo Circus

Answer 7

• Started in 1977 in Bihar
• “Pride of India”
• Largest in modern times
• Later acquired by Shankaran Family

Question 8

Damoo Dhotre

Answer 8

• Most popular Indian Ring Master
• Came to be known as Wild Animal Man
• Was granted US citizenship

Question 9

Circus Industry now

Answer 9

• Industry dwindled due to various reasons
• Circus needs training from childhood, but SC ban on hiring children below 14 in 2011. This reduced its resource pool
• Ban on use of wild animals in 1997
• Circus being dangerous, none shows willing
• With new gymnastics and other forms of e-entertainment, Indian circus failed to match

Question 10

Possible Remedies

Answer 10

• Indian Circus Academy at Thalassery was opened in 2010.
• But due to fewer students it is at the verge of closure
• Proper health facilities need to be given to performers
• Currently, Circus is under Dept of Sports and Youth Affairs.
• Bringing it under Ministry of Culture, can help its revival