INDIAN CIRCUS

Question 1

The Great Indian Circus was the first modern Indian circus, founded by?

Answer 1

Vishnupant Chatre. It flourished under the patronage of the Raja of Kurduwadi, under whom Chatre worked as a stable master.

Question 2

Which Indian state is known as the ‘Cradle of Indian Circus’?

Answer 2

Kerala.

Question 3

Who is known as the father of Indian Circus?

Answer 3

Keeleri Kunhikannan.

Question 4

The first India Circus to attend the International Circus Festival in USSR?

Answer 4

Gemini Circus in 1964.

Question 5

Which is the Largest Indian Circus of modern India?

Answer 5

Jumbo Circus, “The Pride of India” started in Bihar 1977.

Question 6

One of the most popular ring master of Indian Circus of all time is?

Answer 6

Damoo Dhotre.

Question 7

Reasons for the decline of Indian Circus?

Answer 7

1. Indian circus companies try to keep their trade a guarded secret. This has made it a hereditary affair and kept it within the confines of a select few. This has prevented good managers from entering the circus business.
2. The Indian circus companies feel that circus acrobatics require intensive training from childhood. With the Supreme Court’s ban on hiring children below the age of 14 in 2011, this limited the resource pool of the circus companies.
3. With the Government of India enforcing ban on the use of wild animals for the purpose of entertainment in 1997, a typical genre of performance and attraction for the audience ceased to exist.
4. Among the Indian masses, circus is generally seen as a dangerous profession. So, families are unwilling to let their children choose it as a viable professional career. This has also prevented the development of dynasties of circus performers, unlike in the west.
5. With access to world class gymnastics and other forms of e-entertainments, the younger generation has lost interest in the traditional Indian circus. The circus companies also failed to match up to their expectations.

Question 8

Possible Remedies to revive Indian circus?

Answer 8

• With the opening of Indian Circus Academy at Thalassery in 2010, it was a step in the right direction. Sadly, the academy is on the verge of closure due to less number of trainees and financial constraints.
  1. An increased emphasis on the safety regulations and strict enforcing of the same would help in improving the perception of circus as a career opportunity.
  2. Circus can be used to promote the dying arts among the masses. This would also increase the attraction quotient of the circuses.
  3. Government protection for the circus performers and the companies would also help in reviving the dying industry. Most artists retire by the age of 40, after which they have to work as manual labourers. Security and compensation for them is a necessity.
  4. Presently circuses are under the ambit of the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs. Bringing it under the Ministry of Culture would help in a better strategising for its revival. It would also be an acknowledgement of circus as an art form.