Pune: The proprietor of Rambo Circus, Sujit Dilip, has wanted to bring international circus artistes to India for 20 years now. A two-decade-old member of the prestigious Monte Carlo International Circus Festival, Rambo Circus aims at creating a similar platform at home.Pune will host the first edition of International Circus Festival at Buntara Bhavana in Baner, from Nov 5 to 15. It aims to introduce audiences to circus traditions and specialised acts from across the world, bringing together performers from five countries, including Vietnam, Mexico, Ethiopia, Nepal and India.“Over the past three years, we have become actively involved in international circus festivals. I have travelled to Monte Carlo twice as a jury member, judging performances and witnessing artistes whose families have been in the circus for six or seven generations. They travel across countries, carrying skills and traditions that have been passed down through their families. Watching them perform made me want to bring that experience to Indian audiences,” said Dilip.Bringing performers from different countries involves substantial expenses, including international flights and accommodation. Without govt support, organising a festival of this scale in India is financially challenging, said Dilip. “Taking Indian circus artistes abroad presents another hurdle, with many struggling to obtain passports because they lack the documentation required to establish their identities. Several were born into circus families and have spent their lives travelling with the troupe.”The festival will feature Vietnamese artistes Tong and Toy performing jar balancing and a duo aerial straps act; Ethiopian performers Rok and Meron presenting pole shoulder balancing and duo frames; and Mexican artiste Heidi showcasing the demanding discipline of hair hanging. Nepalese performer Sarita will also be part of the international line-up. Indian artistes will join them in a programme featuring aerial displays, acrobatics, LED dance, slinky performances and clown acts.Unlike conventional circus competitions, the festival will not have a formal jury. Instead, audiences will scan a QR code after the performances and cast their votes. The format has already had trial runs in Hyderabad and Bengaluru in Sept, where audiences voted Vietnamese performers as their favourites, followed by two Indian acts, Rolla Bolla and the Laserman. “We wanted the audience to become the jury. Circus is ultimately about connecting with people, and their response should count,” said Dilip.The festival will also travel to Delhi during Christmas.
