THE BALLOON MAN

India’s Rambo Circus: A Look Inside the Big Tent [PHOTOS]
from: ibtimes.com
By Mark Johanson
November 14 2011


ALL PHOTOS---REUTERS
A performer balances herself on the back of a horse during a show at the Rambo Circus in Mumbai November 9, 2011.
The Rambo Circus was founded in 1991 by P.T. Dilip and travels across India, pitching tent in open grounds such as the Bandra Reclamation in Mumbai. The introduction of tough animal rights laws in India and abroad have limited the use of animals in circus acts, but current organizers Sujit and Sumit Dilip have added amenities such as an air-conditioned, fire-proof tent to keep crowds flocking to the show.

Photo: REUTERS
An acrobat performs on a ring held by an elephant during a show at the Rambo Circus in Mumbai November 9, 2011.
The circus has a colorful mix of performers, including clowns, acrobats, marksmen, animal trainers and their animals. Some performers come from as far as Uzbekistan and Ethiopia to be part of Rambo's two-hour extravaganza.
One group of performers walk tip toe on poles high above the circus ring. Another group of trapeze artists perform in the dark wearing glow-in-the-dark clothing. There are performers who ride upside down on horses and others who do acrobatic stunts in a hoop which an elephant holds on its trunk.

Rajiv Chatterjee, 31, a clown, gets dressed for a show at the Rambo Circus in Mumbai November 9, 2011.

A performer balances himself on a set of knives during a show at the Rambo Circus in Mumbai November 9, 2011.

Ushers stand at the entrance to the Rambo Circus in Mumbai November 9, 2011.

Siafan, 22, a clown at the Rambo Circus, applies makeup before a show in Mumbai November 9, 2011.

 

An acrobat walks on a safety net after a show at the Rambo Circus in Mumbai November 9, 2011