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Thursday, December 9, 2010

FROM INDIA--

Scrambling circus industry sees hope in foreign artists
Panaji, Dec 9 (PTI)

With stringent laws in place about the use of wild animals in shows, the Indian circus industry increasingly banks on the foreign performers to compensate for the thrill, an industry insider said.
"Our circus has foreign nationals like Russians, Africans and Nepalis who give guest appearance during the show," Makhrand Pandit, manager of The Great Royal Circus, told PTI here.
"These artists introduce new acts in the Circus, which compensates for the thrill, which is lacking in absence of wild animals," he said.
"Since 1999, many wild animals have to be pulled out from the performance. We are allowed to keep elephants, camels, horses and different kind of birds," Pandit said.
The Great Royal Circus is a part of conglomeration of Great Bombay Circus, Jumbo Circus and Gemini Circus. The circus group was conceived in 1879.
The circus had also figured in Raj Kapoor's legendary movie - "Mera Naam Joker".
Pandit said that they have a six-member team of Africans who perform acrobatics and fire dance.
A Russian dancer does a `boneless act' while Nepalese artist Sushila Arya known for balance-in-trapeze is also in the team adding kick to the show. Pandit said that Indian circus industry is in the dying stage due to non-availability of artists and withdrawal of wild animals following stringent law.
"India has 55 big circus groups and 300 smaller ones, which are struggling for survival," he added.
"Though the government has exempted circus owners from the ambit of Entertainment Tax but more support is needed to prep up this sagging industry," Pandit said.
Grand Royal Circus' Managing Partner Ajay Shankar said talented artists in India do not have a chance to stay long in the game.
"This is probably the reason why Indian circuses cannot match up to the Caravans of Europe and America," he said, adding that in these countries, children who show gymnastic skills are picked up early and trained under qualified coaches.
Shankar said that in India, we have talent but facilities to train and motivate budding performers willing to join the Caravans is non-existent.

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