Jumbo Circus Hits Bangalore After 6 Years

Bangalore: The Jumbo Circus, one of the oldest remaining circuses in India, has organised its show in Bangalore after six years.

With 350 staff and 120 artists, the main attractions of the circus were the Russian artists.

The performances by the Russian team included lasso by Natasha and hula-hoop by Razina. The other highlights were the "Globe of Death" by three men and women involving stunts on motorcycles horizontally and vertically.

And, of course, there were the old favourites such as the "Three Sword Act", "Ladder Balance", "American Ring of Death", besides, ring balance, fire dance, flying trapeze, vertical swinging, clown chair act, elephant cricket, dental dance and spring net.

Jamanlal who has been with Jumbo for last 50 years said, "He is very happy entertaining people all his life."

But on the other hand, circus is having a set back due to lack of governmental support.

The promoter of Jumbo Circus, A K Premnath said that the restriction on having wild animals in circus have resulted in 30 per cent loss in business.

"There are very few big grounds left in the cosmopolitan cities to conduct huge circus shows," Premnath added.

Bahaduri, a Russian artist, who has been with Jumbo Circus said, "Unlike Russia in India, circus artists are not treated well. Russian artists have a security of pension but Indian circus artists are left helpless in their old-age." Founded in 1977 by M V Shankar in Bihar, the Jumbo Russian Circus has travelled through all the states of the country.