Circus comes to town with crowd-pleasing repertoire

Juggling balls and performing acrobatics with candelabras calmly in the post-lunch hour heat of Tiruchi is not an easy career choice, but it is a way of living for the artistes of Gemini Circus, that has pitched its Big Top near the airport in the city since early July.

Gemini Circus, founded by M.V Shankaran and K. Sahadevan in Billimoria, Gujarat, in 1951, is doing its best to draw audiences while facing stiff competition from other forms of entertainment.

Jokers doing their act at the circus show in Tiruchi on Tuesday.
| Photo Credit:
M. MOORTHY

“We are no longer allowed to use animals in our acts or employ child artistes. So we have changed our repertoire to suit an audience that is more used to being entertained by films and smartphones,” V. Sethumohanan, circus manager, told The Hindu on Tuesday.

A trapeze artiste performs in the circus show in Tiruchi on Tuesday.
| Photo Credit:
M. MOORTHY

In its heyday, Gemini Circus provided the backdrop for Raj Kapoor’s magnum opus Mera Naam Joker in 1970, and later, the 1989 Kamal Haasan starrer Apoorva Sagodarargal.

Currently managed by Shankaran’s sons Ajay Shankar and Ashok Shankar, Gemini Circus employs close to 100 artistes and technical staff.

On Tuesday, the circus drew a motley crowd of young and old spectators in the early evening show.

“The school vacations are over, so fewer people are coming in on weekdays. However, the weekend shows are quite popular, especially among families with young children,” said Mr. Sethumohanan.

The circus recruits artistes from places such as Manipur, West Bengal and Nepal, who travel with the company throughout the year, depending on the bookings.

“To maintain continuity, in case an artiste is ill, or needs to go home, we train at least three persons in the same act. Though it is a tough life, many artistes have long performing careers, if they take good care of their health,” said the manager.

The flow of novelty acts is constant, with some, such as the aerial rope acrobatics, roller board balancing and lassoing, impressive to watch. There are some slow moments too, but the audience stays on to watch the next act.

“Those who love the circus will always patronise our shows, even though much has changed over the years,” said Mr. Sethumohanan.