Life of circus man beneath the painted face

LAUGHING MAN: Painted faces are fears for their future and dreams for their children.

      

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New Delhi: Many of the artists ran away from home to join circus. They've spent a lifetime taking risks and entertaining others. What motivates them? Do they ever regret joining the circus? And what will happen when they're too old to perform? Beneath their smiling, painted faces are fears for their future and dreams for their children.

It's show time and Tulsidas Chaudhary is busy painting on a smile for his audience. At 13, Tulsi was tired of being called a dwarf and the circus became his escape route to a respectable life.

Tulsi says, “We think that we are low people and if we work in circus we will get name and everything. Then I decided to become joker to make the world laugh.”

Today, at 62, Tulsi has mastered the art of putting on a disguise.

Monica, an artist of great royal circus, was pushed into circus by poverty. Joining circus meant sacrificing studies so her two younger sisters could do well.

“I belong to a very poor family. My father is the only bread earner. So I decided to join him to earn some money, “ says Monica

And 14 years later, Monica has fallen in love with the circus and learnt to be content.

Artists are paid anything between Rs 2,000 to Rs 15,000 a month - depending on their skills and experience and food and accommodation are taken care of. But what's missing? Veterans like Krishnabhakt say it's respect for the artists and an audience to perform to.

Krishnabhakt says, “Earlier people used to give much respect to circus people but now we seemed to have lost the attention.”

In 1957, 12-year-old Krishnabhakt came from Kathmandu to study in Darjeeling. The circus was in his neighborhood and soon Krishna was giving up his books to put on the clown's mask. But it was a decision his family never accepted.

“He asks me what I get from being just another circus joker waiting in line. Come here and do something. But what can I do. Circus runs in my blood. Unless we work in the circus, wear make up and entertain people, our kind can not be happy.” Krishnabhakt adds.

Constant travel, risks to life and sometimes no support from loved ones - so what gives them the inspiration to go on?

Great Royal Circus gymnast Bhikhu Thapa says, “We watch good artist who are quite famous and one day we will be like them. “

Bhikhu Thapa is 20 and was enticed by the circus when he was 10 years old. He works hard on his gymnastics and loves to perform. But occasionally he regrets not having an education.

And even though they've spent their lives here, all of these artists have kept their children away from circus.

Great Royal Circus Cyclist Subhash Jaisingh says, “We didn’t get good thing in life but we want our children to get all things. ”

The ring is theirs only till they can perform. Once age catches up, alternatives are hard to find. Many of them turn trainers for younger artists but most others fear the life outside circus.

“As long as there’s strength in the body, we can work hard. But once we are old, a circus artists is an insignificant person,” Subhash adds.