Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Our correspondent learns that being a clown is no laughing matter
Hello joker, please shake hands with me,8221; said a chubby kid, while another strived hard to touch my nose and yet another wanted to dance with me. I was showered with all this love at the Moonlight Circus in Pune. I have been called a clown by many friends and family, but taking it on seriously at a circus was not easy. The circus company was reluctant to let me be a part of their show, and after a lot of persuasion they finally agreed. But that was just the beginning of the serious task ahead. For starters, all the clowns in the circus are dwarves, so at 5 feet and two inches I was too tall. I had to go to costume-on-hire shops in the city to find a good clown suit. After a bit of running around, I found myself a nice bright clown costume on rent.
I was asked to report on a Sunday for the evening show. I did that and was asked to go in one makeshift green room and dress up. The other clowns help me colour my face red, white and black. An orientation session with my colleagues was the next step to avoid any goof-up on stage. Tinku, a fellow clown, said, 8220;Aap chinta mat karo hum log bata dega ki aapko kya karna hai.. Mazza aayega.8221; Don8217;t worry, we will tell you what to do. Have fun
With a colourful costume and an even more colourful face, full of confidence I followed the fellow clowns into the ring. My primary job, I had been briefed, was to entertain the audience with funny jigs and also to encourage the audience to applaud the performers.
The tent was filled to the brim. I was asked to walk in a funny manner on to the stage. After our brief spot in the limelight, the trapeze artists and the other performers started their gig. Though I was delighted to sit and get a ringside view of the performances, it was soon our turn to get goofy. Though I was nervous, but I was told that I am supposed to make people laugh by making them laugh at me so started with all kind of funny movements and soon I was the star performer.
While the parents were trying to get a better look at the artistes jumping on horses, eating fire and stretching with spinning wheels on each arm, my target audience, the kids were craning their necks to get a glimpse of me.
My extra bright make up worked wonders. When the show ended I had a flock of kids near me trying to touch my nose, shake hands and dance with me. There was one little fan, who just wanted me to sit with him. 8220; Mera joker, mera joker8221; chants made my day. After hogging the limelight for about an hour, it started taking a toll. My make-up, which main comprised lipstick, kajal and white zinc powder, started to wear off. And the cherry topping to this mess was my red itchy nose. And since the show must go on I could not take a break and scratch my nose.
Two hours later, the show ended. I bid farewell to my new friends who taught me how to make children laugh. As I put on my serious face for the world I realised that being a clown is no joke, it is like any other job in the world and I am grateful my new friends helped me do it well.
