B-CIRCUS COMES TO TOWN [PART-II]

PART-II

THE SHOW BEGINS.

Sunday being a holiday and a day of rest attracted many people to the
circus. The first day of the circus was to start with its first Matinee
Show. Since morning people were seen all around where the circus party
had put up. There was a special cordon beyond which no outsider was
allowed to trespass into the prohibited area created by the circus
troupe. The elephants, the horses and some cages with lions and tigers
could be seen from outside the prohibited area. The ticket counters had
opened up since morning and people queued up to get their
tickets.

'The Great Indian Circus' was to hold three shows a day----- matinee,
evening and night show. The cost of the tickets varied----- the 1st
class was the costliest followed by the 2nd class and the cheapest
being the gallery tickets. It was a gala opening for 'The Great Indian
Circus'. The chief guest of the opening show was the District Collector
who was the head of the Sonarpur district administration. The other
invited guests were---
the Chairman of the municipal corporation of Sonarpur, the Chief
Veterinary Surgeon ---- for he would be of utmost help to the circus
party in relation to any problems relating to the animals. In the list
of the invitees were also included the Chief Medical Officer ----- his
importance lay in relation to health problems of the circus troupe, the
officials of the Electricity department, the officers of the Water
Works department and some more lucky people to be among the invited
few.

The entrance gate opened up half an hour before the show began. The
invited cardholders took their seats in the place marked 'Reserved'.
The ticket holders were checked at the entrance gate and took their
seats as per their seating arrangements. Very soon the show had a full
house.

The show started at 2.30 p.m. in the afternoon the circus band sat on a
high platform above the entrance gate meant for the entry and exit of
the performers. This band was placed opposite the public entrance gate
of the arena stage. Very loud music was being played and soon the
performers came into the ring in their colourful, gorgeous wear, each
holding a coloured flag. The colour of the flags varied from red,
green, yellow, blue, purple and orange. In this colourful march past
there were small boys and girls, young men and women and even older men
and older women participants. There were also a body builder and five
clowns. Following these people came the train of animals ---- the
horses, the elephants, the monkeys and the bear. With a loud applause
the audience welcomed the parade party in the arena. Completing one
round of the ring, they all went in and now there remained an empty
stage. All this while the Circus Band had been playing a loud but
soothing music.

As soon as the stage was cleared the Band switched over to light music.
Performers came in and performed their acts and left. The clowns were
present the entire time playing one stupid trick or the other and made
the people laugh. At times their clownish performance made people laugh
such a lot that the sides of their stomachs ached and water came out of
their eyes. One clown was so short that he was hardly two feet tall.
His pranks were the funniest.

There were more girls than boys. The small and young girls performed
balancing and walking on ropes carrying coloured umbrellas and also
displayed gymnastic feats. Among the boys and men, there was a juggler
and some boys performed acrobatics. One of the men gulped down a number
of small fishes with water and then brought them out through his mouth
and put them back into a big glass jug. These special items were
enjoyed and applauded by all those who were seeing.

Time ticked off so soon that the Intermission caught the people by
surprise. By now an hour and a half had passed off. Immediately some
boys and men came around carrying trays laden with packets of popcorns,
potato chips, peanuts and other fried food items. They even had sweets,
toffees, chocolates and chewing gums. Some of them sold tea, coffee,
cold drinks and Ice creams. These being the hot summer days of India,
cold drinks and Ice creams were in great demand. Children chose their
items and bought them. There was a lot of crunching and munching. After
fifteen minutes intermission the show started again.

Whatever it may be the Band went on playing all the time. The Bands
role was of importance because its beats helped the performers of the
show and also caught the mood of the audience as well. After the
intermission the animal shows were introduced. The different animals
had their different masters who were also their trainers. The horses
danced to the tune of the music and the elephants were no way less. The
show of Raju the wonder boy with his dog Lucky was worth a mention. So
were wonder girl Rani and her horse Black Beauty at their best to
entertain the people. The children enjoyed them very much. Then came
the monkeys with their trainer and the bear on the cycle, cycling all
around the ring and getting a heavy clapping from the excited
children.

It was now the Indian Lions and the Royal Bengal Tigers who adorned the
arena. Their ringmaster was Mr. Raman who took utmost care to show the
feats of these wild animals. He had a leather whip in his hand and at
the crackle of it these animals understood what to do. This was not an
open arena show but a special make shift cage had been built up in the
ring when these lions and tigers were brought in. Children cried out of
fear at the sight these roaring animals. But as soon as they were taken
off and put into their cages, everyone clapped a lot and felt a sense
of safety. These wild animals smelled a lot.

Next the girls came out in brightly coloured dazzling dresses on one
wheeled cycles, holding each others hands one after another and some
even carried two young children on their shoulders but maintained
proper balance. The bodybuilder walked in, in a royal and majestic
manner. He gave a show of his muscles and his muscles also seemed to
dance with the music. What applause! Then came a fat lady over whom the
elephant walked from one side to another while she lay flat on a
cushioned mattress.

Time was running fast and the last events were coming in. There was the
motorcycle game inside the globe. The Jeep jump was another special
item. The last item of the show was on the trapeze. Of course they tied
a net ten feet above the ground for safety in case any one fell down
while swinging. The trapeze artists were wonderful in their performance
and every one was happy with the last item of the show.

Soon the show was over and the people who had come to see the circus
were heartily very happy and cheerful and left for their homes. The
show did not end there for it was soon followed by the evening show,
which also started with a house-full. This show also started with a
march past but in the evening show the trapeze item was the first
event. Soon the other events followed and after three hours this show
also ended. The people who had come to see this show also left for
their homes with a happy and cheerful heart. The night show followed
next which also went off successfully with a full house. The people who
witnessed this show also went home happily.

Thus ended the first day of 'The Great Indian Circus'. The performers
were very tired and worn out by the whole days activities. Each one of
them wanted a quiet nights rest in their tents for there were busy days
ahead for them. Very soon, silence and quietness filled the air all
around. There was more to follow and witness in days to come.

To be continued????????? .