Gemini Circus begins in Coimbatore

Mexican wheel, guddi act and double saree  acrobatics are some of the jaw-dropping feats lined up at the ongoing Gemini Circus 

An unfettered performer races atop a wheel that spins under the spotlights — literally as fast as he can run — at a speed of may be 20 miles an hour. He soon perfected somersaults on the wheel and then began performing blindfolded.  The audience is spellbound. “It’s the newly-introduced Mexican wheel act which you enjoy only at Gemini and Jumbo Circus,” says Ajay Shankar, managing partner of Gemini Circus. His father is late MV Sankaran also known as Gemini Sankaran, a pioneer of Modern Indian Circus. “It’s death-defying acrobatic feat which is all about balancing. Three years ago, our artistes got trained by a Mexican troupe. We had something similar called ring of death earlier. But this is much faster and protective harnesses and wires would be impractical,” he explains.

His father is late MV Shankaran also known as Gemini Shankaran, a pioneer of modern Indian circus. “It’s a death-defying acrobatic feat which is all about balancing. Three years ago, our artistes got trained by a Mexican troupe. We had something similar called Ring of Death, earlier. But this is much faster and protective harnesses and wires would be impractical,” he explains.

The wheel has to be one of the most thrilling new acts at the ongoing Gemini Circus which returns to the city after the pandemic. The guddi act is intriguing — one person covered in a cloak doubles up as a male doll serenading the female. A menagerie of life-sized animal statues welcome people at the entrance, that acts as a selfie point to make up for the absence of wildlife. “We have to keep innovating to draw the crowds. The display of robotic animals featuring a hippo, lion, giraffe, zebra and more delights children,” explains Ajay adding that circus will live on.

“It’s not like an exhibition, a yearly affair or a live music show that lasts a few hours. We go live 365 days in a year, which is an unparalleled achievement. Circus is an art form that needs the patronage of the Government and the general public to survive. We get concessions while travelling in railways. We even get an exclusive circus special train to travel to Delhi for shows. Concessions like free water and free electricity while performing will be of great help too,” he explains adding that recognition for artistes in the form of best actor awards will motivate them.

The Indian circus industry, which once had hundreds of troupes, now has only a handful of them. The first blow came when tigers, panthers, bears and monkeys were banned. Then it was struck by the ban on child performers. “Training from a young age is crucial for developing skills. One can only perform acrobatics if rigorous training is imparted at an early age,” explains Ajay.

The big tent near Venkatalakshmi Kalyanamandapam grounds is gleaming with decorative lights. Inside, a group of able-bodied men and women glide like birds in the air, and gracefully move their bodies. They show-off a fine balance of mind and body while doing stunts from a white cloth that hangs from the ceiling. Soon, African artistes take centre stage, do impossible stunts on poles and are greeted with loud cheers. There is a burst of colour on stage when women appear on their cycles as they twist, twirl, jump and dance while cycling. The clowns keep up the excitement with their pranks. The troupe at Coimbatore is a 160-member team including artists from Assam, Siliguri, Nepal, Jammu, UP, and Karnataka. Some of the jaw-dropping feats include juggling, weightlifting, and acrobat performances on rolling boards, hula hoop, and fire dance by African artistes. The globe of death, where motorcyclists roar upside down within a steel-mesh ball, is yet another daring act.

For an artiste at the circus, Ajay says life is never mundane. There is always something to learn, something to celebrate and every day ends with applause and cheers from the crowd. “It is any artist’s dream. We live like family.”