A Homegrown Photo Series Captures The Dying Glory Of The Indian Circus

India's circus industry is heading towards extinction. What once was a luxurious, magnanimous event of entertainment barely attracts any audiences now. The circus culture itself slowly withered as child labour and wild animal bans took place over the years. With society's move to a technological era, our entertainment mediums changed from clowns, acrobats and jugglers to futuristic laser shows and installations.

In an ode to the dying glory of the art of circus, Rajvi Sheth, a visual artist created a photo series capturing the performances of Super Star Circus in Goa.

"The circus has been an integral part of Indian culture and entertainment for many decades. However, with the rise of digital media and changing tastes of audiences, the Indian circus has been facing a tough time in recent years. We recently visited a circus in Goa, and it was clear that the performances had changed drastically from what we remembered. The traditional acts that once enthralled audiences, such as juggling, tightrope walking, and acrobatics, have been replaced by more modern and flashy performances. Fire shows, laser lights, and live music are now commonly incorporated into the shows to attract younger audiences. While these new performances may be entertaining, they lack the charm and the authentic feel of the old circus. It's sad to see the dying legacy of the Indian circus, and we hope that efforts can be made to preserve the traditional performances that have been a part of our cultural heritage for so long."

"I remember my first circus experience as a child, the awe and magic I felt seeing the beautiful performances and the incredible human potential on display. Circus shows are a true testament to the capabilities of the human mind and body. However, it seems as though the circus is dying out and I can't help but wonder why. Why has the meaning of entertainment changed? I was recently able to attend a circus in Goa, and it was a true recollection of all my childhood memories. The acrobats, the tightrope walkers, the clowns, and all the other performers reminded me of the wonder and amazement that I felt as a child. It's a shame that this form of entertainment is becoming less popular, but I hope that people will continue to appreciate the art and skill that goes into a good circus performance", shares Rajvi.

Follow Rajvi here.

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