It’s that time of the year when people are away from the hustle and bustle of their mundane work to spend a memorable vacation at different get-away destinations.
Now, here is another experience for tourists and residents apart from the city’s traditional offering of serene beaches and spiritual succour.
Jumbo Circus is camping in town for the past few weeks featuring artistes from across the world.
A troupe of 40 circus artistes display jaw-dropping performances such as Russian Rope Balance, Boneless Act, Swinging Vertical gymnastic acrobat etc, Comics and lively performance by Tanzanian and Ethiopian artistes.
Dog and Camel Act, Horse Riding and excellent display of parrots and other rare birds is a visual treat to the audience.
The circus acts have changed over the years and the Jumbo circus is among the few that have struggled through and survived the ravages of time.
No jumbo
Jumbo was the most famous African elephant used in circus to entertain the large gathering.
The Central Zoo Authority(CZA) of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has banned the exhibition of elephants in circuses in 2013.
A year-long investigation report showed that the elephants are forced to perform the acts and were not maintained well.
The Ministry de-registered several circuses under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960 to ban the use of animals for entertainment.
The Indian Government also banned the performance of bears, monkeys, tigers, panthers and lions in 1998 based on official reports that these wild animals were tortured and had undergone extreme cruelty.
No child’s play too
The Central government has also prohibited the children below the age of 18 from training at circuses.
There was a slow down in viewing the circus in large numbers after the ban on wild animals.
P. A. Suresh Babu, Manager of Jumbo Circus said, “As we are in the business of running a circus, we take full responsibility of providing protection and good health to our performers and animals.”
In many parts of our country, bulls, horses and cows are tamed to carry people and heavy loads, then why aren’t wild animals allowed to be trained in the circus, he contended.
“Children, after all, are encouraged to excel in sports at young age but they are banned by the government from exhibiting their physical skills in circus,” he remarked. Children love watching the circus, as it shows the realistic performances of the artistes and animals.
The aftermath of ban saw a 50% decline in the business and has barred the entry of young and passionate in circus, he added.
The show is on at the AFT Grounds till May 20.
