An anaconda popping out from a tree branch, looking furiously as though waiting for its prey, tuskers roaring and chimps making faces are some of the major attractions at the ‘man-made zoo’, at the ongoing ‘Handloom, Handicrafts Fun Fair Expo’ at the AU Exhibition Ground, on the Beach Road.
Children were delighted to have a splash as an elephant sprinkled water with its trunk. Lions and tigers roared as visitors passed by. It was a learning experience for the inquisitive children, as brief details of the animal like its zoological name and its habitat, were given on plaques placed in front of the exhibit.
The texture of the skin, eyes and body movements were akin to wild animals in flesh and blood. The grass, plants and trees resembled real ones plants.
Click art
Another major attraction is the ‘click art museum’. Boys and girls were seen clicking selfies with the large images on display, perhaps, to post them on social media and show off to their friends and relatives. The 3-D images give one the impression of interacting with large photographs on display.
One can stand in between the two large wings of a bird and when the picture is clicked it gives the impression that the person is flying. Visitors can get clicked to make it appear as though they were presenting a bouquet to former President APJ Abdul Kalam or receiving a baby from the hands of Monalisa and so on. All has been made possible through ‘click art’ by AP Shreethar of Sivagangai district in Tamil Nadu, through his interactive 3-D trick art.
“The animal world is the result of two years of hard work. We procured the robotic animals at a huge cost from Germany as they are a permanent asset for us. It shows our attachment to wild animals,” says exhibition proprietor M. Rajasekhar Reddy, who was one of the promoters of the erstwhile Gemini Circus.
The Gemini Circus, which had a successful run for 60 years, had to close down after the government had banned performance by wild animals, which led to a drastic fall in revenues. “We are confident that the artificial zoo would be a great learning experience for children,” he adds.
A ‘snow world’ enclosure provides cool relief from the sweltering heat. Amusement items and a number of stalls displaying a wide variety of handlooms and handicrafts complete the unique shopping experience.
