It's a world that many of you would have read about, dreamt of its grandeur and even fantasised about being a part of it. In the city many had the opportunity to witness its magic first-hand. The Great Bombay Circus!
Here's some history. It was Baburao Kadam who founded the Grand Bombay Circus in 1920 which was later renamed the Great Bombay Circus when K.M. Kunhikannan the artist and founder of the Whiteway and Hind Lion Circuses merged in 1947.
This circus has entertained many a big names like the King Mahendra of Nepal and his queen, former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, former Tamil Nadu chief minister and actor M.G. Ramchandaran and more. The Great Bombay Circus has also been the setting for films like “Krish”, “Don” starring Amitabh Bachchan and was also recently seen in the film “7am Arivu” where actor Surya plays the role of a circus artist. In fact, the circus had a performance by a cycle artist who, it was announced, had trained Surya for his role.
et al The show kick-started with a trampoline act and was followed by juggling, a parade, acts on hoop-shaped swings suspended in the air, acrobatics by African artists, whip act by Russian artists, trapeze acts and many more.
No circus is complete without the clowns. They managed to tickle the funny bone every now and then with their goof-ups and tricks. The children in the audience were in awe of the daredevil stunts performed by the artists and laughed the hardest when the clown's pants came off mid air or when he was chased by a “ghost”.
According to their website, the circus now has around 300 employees including 30 male artists, 60 female artists, 40 administrative staff and 180 support staff. When you see them at work on stage and behind the scenes erecting the props and sets with clock-work precision, you realise there's more than just magic — it's more about hard work, team work and a passion for the circus.
Catch the show:
@ Moore Market, Near Chennai Central Railway Station.
Time: 1 p.m., 4 p.m., 7 p.m.
Ticket Rates: Rs.50, Rs.100 and Rs.200. (For Advance booking between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. for Rs.200 tickets contact: 8056253334,9940233395,8526973925)
Corporate office ph: 9324022455 / 09020027234/ 09388208042 (Enquiries by sms only )
E-mail: greatbombaycircus@gmail.com
Website:>www.greatbombaycircus.in
RAHUL VENKATESAN, III B, Sishya School: This is my first time at a circus. I have read about the circus in many books and it's just like how I had imagined. I came with my cousins to the show and had a lot of fun watching every act. I especially liked the whip act and the shooting one.
ANULA, I, Chelsey School, Shimla : I have come down to Chennai for my winter break and my mother brought me to see the circus. I had never seen or heard of it before so had no idea what it would be like. I really enjoyed the show. I loved the clowns; they were funny!
ANSHI and NIDHI, Bhavan's Rajaji Vidyashram: This is our third time to a circus. It is a lot different from the previous years. Though there are a lot of new acts, I hoped to see some from the previous years'. But I enjoyed the show and loved the cycle stunts.
