21 Sep 2022  |   06:05am IST

When ‘Rambo Circus’ came to town

During yesteryears, circus was part of the entertainment in Goa. The make-shift enormous tent in an open space would excite everyone in the vicinity. But now, it’s after 22 years that the circus has made a comeback to Goa, much to the amusement of kids, young and the old. The only difference that it has moved from the tent to the auditorium, sans the animals show

Pio Esteves

 

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fter 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.”