After Goa was a witness to a ‘circus of defections’ in the political arena, Goans also had a glimpse and taste of a circus in the city auditorium. After almost 22 years, ‘Rambo Circus’ was back in town, but this time around, in the auditorium, instead of a tent.
Way back in 1999, ‘Rambo Circus’ was in
Margao and it entertained the Goan community for almost 60 days. During that
period, there were wild animals inclusive in several acts, besides complete
entertainment via acrobatics, gymnastics and aerials.
But now, due to fluctuating weather
conditions, the organizers decided to bring Rambo Circus to Goa and entertain
the audience in the auditorium, instead of a tent. There were in total ten
shows scheduled for three consecutive days, with three shows for two days and
four shows on one day.
‘Rambo Circus’ received an overwhelming response, with packed
houses on all three days. Four-wheelers were seen parked in a row along the
main road adjacent to Ravindra Bhavan, Margao, due to restricted parking space
within the premises.
Each show consisted of one and a half hour duration, with 22
varied acts on stage. They included acrobats, aerials, aerial hoop, jugglers,
ladder balance, roller squatting quick change, steel walkers, sword balancing,
swallowing and others. There were six jokers to entertain with their mimicry
and comical stunts and the finale included the Indian Flag flying high with all
the performers on stage.
Throwing light on this unique entertainment and the creation of
Rambo Circus, Sujit Dilip from Vengurla, Sawantwadi, said that in 1991 Rambo
Circus came into existence and is growing strong with performances and shows
across India and internationally. “‘Rambo Circus’ was formed on January 26,
1999, by my father P T Dilip, the creator and founder. Although retired now, he
still guides us in our future ventures,” says Sujit Dilip.
“In 1999, three circuses, namely ‘Great Oriental’, ‘Arena’ and
‘Victoria’ were clubbed into one and ‘Rambo Circus’ came into existence,”
revealed Dilip. “By clubbing three circuses into one,” he continues, “the
manpower increased and providing the best entertainment was possible.”
With regards to shows in tents and auditoriums, Dilip says that
it’s much cheaper in tents and the shows can be carried out for a longer period
of time. “But when it comes to auditoriums,” he says, “the rent is expensive
and the shows have to be restricted for limited days.”
Apart from staging shows across India, Rambo Circus has also
moved globally and it has made its presence felt in Gulf countries as well for
almost five years. “Twelve years ago, Rambo Circus was shifted to the
auditorium in Juhu, Mumbai and the response was overwhelming,” Dilip claims.
“Rambo Circus was also part of the ‘World Circus Day’, which is
celebrated on the third Saturday of the month of April annually and it has
entered into the 13th year of its celebration,” Dilip discloses. “Apart from
ticketed shows across India,” he says, “we also organise charity shows in aid
of old age homes and orphanages.”
Dilip says that they are also a member of the World Circus
Federation in Monaco. Being a registered company, it becomes easier to move
places and perform to the content of the spectators.
With regards to animal acts, which would always be an integral
part of any circus, Dilip says that he had animals like lions, tigers,
chimpanzees, camels, horses and dogs, which were an extended family for almost
20 years. “All these animals would perform in our tented shows,” he shares,
“but now, due to the ban on animals in circuses, we focus only on performances
by artistes. But international circuses have all animals performing, apart from
several mesmerizing acts by the artistes.”
Apart
from tented shows or in auditoriums, Dilip confesses that they also organise
online shows. “In one of the online shows,” he says, “around 55,000 tickets got
sold out and it was almost like a world record. We have such shows for school
going children that they can enjoy while in school or at home.”