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Journalism of Courage
If a circus brings back memories of childhood, fire-eaters, clowns and the trapeze artistes, here8217;s one you shouldn8217;t miss
The spotlight lights up the circular stage, the nets are strung tight, the drum-rolls begin and as they reach a crescendo, a figure perched precariously on a ledge at the very top of the tent rubs his hands together and smiles confidently at the crowd below.
Suddenly, he jumps off the ledge and for one second, time stands still, as he remains suspended in air. While the crowd holds its breath and gasps collectively, the man reaches out and grabs a swinging bar.
The Trapeze Act has begun, and children and adults alike are gazing in awe and anticipation, for the Circus has come to town.
For those under the impression that an evening out at the circus has lost its charm, Rambo International Circus will prove otherwise. The 12-year-old circus has a new and improved look now, with an entirely air-conditioned interior and a hydraulic ring, something that is unique to them, since it is the only circus in India to have both amenities.
8220;We have three shows, at three o8217; clock, six o8217; clock and nine o8217;clock at night. The night show is almost always full, though there are crowds that turn up for the others too, they are fewer in numbers,8221; says Mohan Shahani, who has been associated with the circus since its inception. 8220;The circus was started by P T Dilip 12 years ago, in Pune in Saras Baug. He visited circuses all over the world and took the best example of their techniques and brought back technicians as well,8221; he adds.
Rambo Circus is also the only one in India to have an ice-skating rink inside.
The Rambo International Circus lives up to its name, and has an array of artistes from around the world working with it. 8220;We have men and women from Russia, New Zealand, Uzbekistan and Nepal, among other places like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Bengal and Kerala from within India,8221; says Shahani. The circus has also won 21 gold medals in contests around the world
8220;We don8217;t allow photography because the artistes get disturbed when they perform their acts. And we have acts lined up one after the other so that there is no time wasted between them,8221; says Shahani. Altogether, there are 25 acts and many have fascinating, dramatic names 8212; Boneless Acrobatics, Tarpaulin Dance, Dangerous Acrobatics, Russian Ball-Square Act, and the Spiderman Act, among others. The circus has finished a month in Ahmedabad and will be in Mumbai for the same duration before it moves on to set up camp in another city.
While tickets are priced anywhere between Rs 50 to Rs 200, the rotating ring helps everybody in the audience to catch a glimpse of some of the rich costumes and dramatic acts 8212; huge elephants, an entertaining dog show and of course, the clowns.
As the comic capers begun, the little children in the crowd are laughing out loud, clapping their hands in glee. Whoever said that going to the circus isn8217;t fun any more should spend an unusual evening out here.
