Date : 14th January, 2005
People : Bhushan, Aditi, Ammu, Myself
Event : The Gemini Circus
End Result : Awe Mixed with Apathy.
Last Evening I revisited my Childhood.
Among the most pleasant recollections of ones youth is the visit to a circus. Random images of Clowns and elephants were in my mind, and then they all got fortified, the minute I entered the Gemini circus Arena.
I remembered the awe with which I had looked up at the trapeze artistes, , the glee with which I had encouraged the clowns, The applause with which I had greeted the elephants.
All this came back to me last evening.. At Bangalore's own Gemini Circus.
The circus is of very ancient origin. Away back in the dark ages, sports in the ring entertained the heathen peoples of the earth. Combats of wild beasts and of men were the most popular form of entertainment in Rome. In Greece feats of strength and skill in the arena gathered a whole nation to the famous Olympian games. Go where-ever you may, in the savage fastnesses of Africa even, and you will see a circus of some sort.
From circus day in Pompey's Rome complete with lions, pachyderms and performances interspersed with chariot racing until modern day Gemini, circuses remain the most enduring and endearing form of family entertainment in the world.
I have read that In many parts of Europe and Africa one can see the remains of great amphitheatres in which clamorous audiences, thousands used to applaud just as modern audiences under the Gemini tents applaud today.
All of us (well almost all) will agree that the first menagerie was owned and run by Noah. Others have claimed the distinction, but Noah alone is entitled to the credit which rightfully attaches to the originator of such a glorious enterprise - The Circus. Prior to Noah's time amusements were comparatively unknown. In putting his show on the road, our friend met with many serious drawbacks. Especially,since there was no road, literally, upon which he could travel. It was all water!!!
Last evening we were welcomed with the typical circus colors "red orange yellow". The acts flowed in one after the other, Perfectly synchronised, harmoniously coordinated.
The acts included, Clowns, comedy skits, Beautiful Russian female Jugglers, Chinky balancing acts, Indian Thunder thighs riding monocycles, Motorcycles buzzin on the ball, coordinated cycling teams, acrobatics, sky walking and the trapeze artistes.
Last Evening I revisited my Childhood.
Among the most pleasant recollections of ones youth is the visit to a circus. Random images of Clowns and elephants were in my mind, and then they all got fortified, the minute I entered the Gemini circus Arena.
I remembered the awe with which I had looked up at the trapeze artistes, , the glee with which I had encouraged the clowns, The applause with which I had greeted the elephants.
All this came back to me last evening.. At Bangalore's own Gemini Circus.
The circus is of very ancient origin. Away back in the dark ages, sports in the ring entertained the heathen peoples of the earth. Combats of wild beasts and of men were the most popular form of entertainment in Rome. In Greece feats of strength and skill in the arena gathered a whole nation to the famous Olympian games. Go where-ever you may, in the savage fastnesses of Africa even, and you will see a circus of some sort.
From circus day in Pompey's Rome complete with lions, pachyderms and performances interspersed with chariot racing until modern day Gemini, circuses remain the most enduring and endearing form of family entertainment in the world.
I have read that In many parts of Europe and Africa one can see the remains of great amphitheatres in which clamorous audiences, thousands used to applaud just as modern audiences under the Gemini tents applaud today.
All of us (well almost all) will agree that the first menagerie was owned and run by Noah. Others have claimed the distinction, but Noah alone is entitled to the credit which rightfully attaches to the originator of such a glorious enterprise - The Circus. Prior to Noah's time amusements were comparatively unknown. In putting his show on the road, our friend met with many serious drawbacks. Especially,since there was no road, literally, upon which he could travel. It was all water!!!
Last evening we were welcomed with the typical circus colors "red orange yellow". The acts flowed in one after the other, Perfectly synchronised, harmoniously coordinated.
The acts included, Clowns, comedy skits, Beautiful Russian female Jugglers, Chinky balancing acts, Indian Thunder thighs riding monocycles, Motorcycles buzzin on the ball, coordinated cycling teams, acrobatics, sky walking and the trapeze artistes.
Everyone was in AWE! one could even hear gasps and sighs alonside the hoots and whistle and applause that was filling the already festive atmosphere.
I have to specially mention that 3 Nice Looking russian women were busy smiling and grinning at us boys!! They were in fact checking us out!!! Beat That!! All eyes were on them, but then their eyes were on us. Thats a whole different story. Maybe ill post a seperate blog on that one! (What say Bhushan?) *wink*
Anyways.. Then came in the animals. Elephants, camels, Horses , Camels storks, Parrots, parakeets, Other assorted birds , and even a Hippopotamus.
UNlike their human counterparts, this time the feeling that engulfed me was different.
All that I cud do wonder how these animals made show business look so easy. And wonder why they got whipped "whoooptashed" even if they were performing.
At this juncture I want everyone to take a moment to empathise with the creatures of show business..
I could see tears rolling down eyes of one particular animal lover who was sitting by my side, (love u for that Ammu) and I realised that suddenly there was a set of questions pouring into my head to which I didnt have answers.
What kinds of animals are used in circuses ?
What are the living conditions like for animals in circuses?
Don’t the animals get to exercise when they are performing?
Why do animals in circuses sway back and forth, bob their heads, and bite the bars of their cages?
Aren’t these animals still safer and better off in captivity than in the wild?
How are animals trained to perform?
What evidence is there of abusive training or handling of animals in circuses?
What legislation regulates circuses and travelling shows in India?
Isn’t it good for children that they learn about animals by seeing them live at a circus?
How is public safety jeopardized by performing animal acts?
If anyone has the answers to these questions.. post a comment. And if anyone knows a way to reduce or minimise animal pain in an established menagerie of sorts.. post a comment.
If anyone feels for the animals.. post a comment.
I'd also like to point out that this circus didnt have the Lion and Tigers and the big cats. Is there a law against using them.. or are they just too dangerous! Will I ever know!?
Anyways. The circus is defenitely a beautiful experiance...
The beauty of the circus is that everyone can understand it, deaf and dumb boy can enjoy it, and a blind man could revel in music and laugh at the clown's jokes. Youth and age, irrespective of nationality, can feast upon the splendors of the sawdust circle and understand it all. If you go to the play and don't understand what the actors are saying you have but a poor time of it. But what does it matter what they say at the circus, as long as they do only half of the things they promise in the advertisements and the posters and hoardings.
Anyways. The circus is defenitely a beautiful experiance...
The beauty of the circus is that everyone can understand it, deaf and dumb boy can enjoy it, and a blind man could revel in music and laugh at the clown's jokes. Youth and age, irrespective of nationality, can feast upon the splendors of the sawdust circle and understand it all. If you go to the play and don't understand what the actors are saying you have but a poor time of it. But what does it matter what they say at the circus, as long as they do only half of the things they promise in the advertisements and the posters and hoardings.
It is true that all the acts were incredible, and we were thoroughly enjoying ourselves with the bubble blowers and the phee phees (hooters) . My favorite part of the circuz this trip around was the look of wonder in all the children' eyes! Defenitely worth a visit.
Before I sign off on this post, The Circus is evidently an ancestor of the Theatre and Amphitheatre. Can we call this art of performance and the precisely timed and well executed hungama the Birthplace of Event Management???? What do u think?
Go visit the Circus, Its at the Palace grounds till the 6th of Feb 2006, and tell me what you think. And Also ponder deep within and realise wether your a ringmaster or a circus animal!
Will post more photos soon.
Love
Anjaan
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