Madhubani/24.01.02
Yesterday, I with two friends went to spend an evening at the ‘Bombay Circus’ that was running in a comparatively obscure locality of the town. Prima facie (= on the face of it) it appeared unimpressive – poor lighting, especially lacking in its furnishing of yellow coloured gas lamps. A powerful microphone, however, blared (= made loud sound) and a revolving searchlight seemed to scan (= measure) the sky.
These two were set up to attract men, but to little effect. The bullock-carts, mostly covered with thick rugs to ward-off the cold, indicated that the spectators were mostly drawn from the villages. Among others, were college students,children and their guardians.
Today it is outdated as a ‘performing art’ in the most literal sense of the term. It calls for skill, daring; its management is equally an intelligent exercise. The events and operations succeed one another with effortless ease that speaks of a unique discipline and promptness.
The circus began with two clowns chitchatting (= talking) aloud in unintelligible lingo (= strange language). Their features contrasted: one seven footer, the other a three one fair and back-brushed, the other mahogany-black and curl-haired. Both peak-nosed, anointed with blue, yellow and red colours. They behaved like odd savage beings as the children or groundlings laughed and clapped. Suddenly they were chased out of the arena by another figure – round as a ball and carrying a clap-stick that made a smacking (= hitting) sound before hitting.
The coarse scene changed for a more elegant (= refined) one. Seven lovely damsels on seven bikes. They were clad in Kimonos (= a kind of Japanese dress) of seven colours, and scoured (= moved swiftly) the floor in an arabesque (= an ornamental design) of lines. It was picturesque.
We, then, saw two stunt-shows (= risky and difficult performance). Two men came with blazing sticks, gulped (= swallowed) and brought them out. The deed was repeated several times as they circled the arena to convince us that it meant no trick. The second stunt performance was ‘Mauth Ka Kuan’ or the Death-Well. Two motor cyclists, adequately protected from head to foot, speeded through the inner floor of a big globe-like object. They crossed each other, but never clashed. My friend said that it might be a feat (= expertness) of time and speed or some other understanding. But it was indeed breath taking (= full of suspense). During this event the crying suckling babes had become quite.
The ‘trapeze’ was indeed the highlight. In no time and almost with clock-work neatness, its men tied and firmly fixed a big net at about six or seven feet off the ground. A flowing rhythmic music accompanied the event throughout as the men swung from one crossbar to another. Some, at times, missed the corresponding bar and plumped on the net.
There were rope-dancing and animal shows. But the outfit of the party was drab and not colourful and glamorous as in the past. The Manager told me that it meant money and men. Today people have turned to newer kinds of entertainment like the films, the TV etc. He is unable to pay his staff properly in view of their risks, nor can he maintain his livestock. They normally choose semi-urban places that can attract the rustics. Often his trainers leave and the company has to suffer.
My friend remarked that it was like a fair and that the team visits the town every alternative year. Its beacon (= inviting) light called people from the remote villages. Apart from viewers, there were traders of rural craft like doll-makers; sellers of Madhubani painting, hair-clips, colourful ribbons, cutleries. Temporary tenements grew up where men enjoyed snacks, fries of various kinds and other tasty eatables. The village women, young and old; unmarried jolly girls who are seldom able to visit the town – all flock into the circus in a mood of ceremony and festival.
Outside the main tent the scene is like a village fair. During the day the domestic animals are tended, washed, fed. The tigers doze in their cages. All told (accounted for) it is a lively entertainment that is becoming obsolete (= out of use) with time.
