Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (RD)
With Inputs from Media Release
Udupi, May 3: Jumbo Circus with African artistes will be held at Royal Garden ground, here from Friday May 4. The troupe was moved after the shows in Mangalore a few days ago.
Jumbo Circus is the largest and number one circus company in India. It was founded by M V Shankaran. The inaugural show was held at Dhanapur, Bihar on October 2, 1977. It’s now managed by Ajay Shankar and Ashok Shankar, the dynamic and talented sons of M V Shankaran. The company has pioneered and introduced many innovative acts in Indian circus industry.
The Jumbo Circus has around 250 employees which include 40 male artistes, 50 female artistes, 50 administrative and 100 support staff. The African troupe includes eight members (six males and two females), team leader Selemani Hamisi Rajabu, Abubakar Cosmas Mango, Kassim Ally Mtika, Godfrey Condradi Mpanda, Livingstone Richard Masura, Ally Hafidhi Buza, Rukia Shabani Dummi, Rukia Shabani Dummi, Rehema Mashaka Ponda.
The troupe will present formation of human pyramids – pyramids are formations abstracted from the wild habitual levity. This demonstrates swiftness, endurance, power, speed and perseverance to form human pyramids in between semi-pyramids, moves performed in two, three of four acrobatics. It will also stage limbo dance and fire eating – dances performed under burning fire accompanied by traditional African music with background wild animals cries. It will also stage pole acrobatics-the artistes climb up and down two poles in different styles and jump from one pole to another. The speed and dexterity of the performers during this act is remarkable. The background music of the popular Shakira song with their scintillating performance has the entire audience in total rapture.
The circus acts which were being performed for the first time in Mangalore were fish act, Russian stick balance and double pole acrobatic by Africans.
The elephant cricket item has Chanchal, an elephant playing some lofted shots for a six like Mahendra Singh Dhoni. The Siva Pooja item has an elephant worshipping the Siva Lingam. Chanchal has starred in the film Deshavatharam of Kamala Hassan. In the film sequence Chanchal has an interesting sequence with bolloywood actress Mallika Sheravat.
The macaw (rare parrot found in the Brazilian forests) plays a seesaw balance with two cockatoos (rare bird found in Australia) on either side. One cockatoos rides a cycle on a rod with another in tow, pecks with a beak and rides a chariot on the ring floor to the amazement and enjoyment of children.
Jumbo Circus key personnel Sacchindan, African artistes and media coordinator Shrihari Nair were present at the press meet.