Date:26/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/26/stories/2008122650730200.htm

Kerala - Kochi

Watch out for daring Russian acrobats

Staff Reporter

Photo: Vipin Chandran

Mascot: Chanchal, the Circus elephant, cutting the Christmas cake. —

KOCHI: Ready to watch some scintillating acrobatics live? Walk in to the Jumbo circus being held at Manapattiparambu in the city. And a team of Russian artistes will enthral you with their daring acts.

Led by Bahadir, the group has earned applause from all around thanks to the variety they bring in to their performances. The horse acrobat act is performed by Kapaeb Kazbek, Karabaev, Olimjon, Normatov Sardor, Usmanov Alimardon, Ubaydullah, and Faber Natalya.

The Russian team continues to be the favourites, with the audience enjoying every minute of their adventurous journey on stage. Be it the Russian couple act or the Russian stick balance, the artistes stand out from the rest by their deft movements and body control.

Organisers of the event said that the Jumbo circus showcases some of the rare items which had never been performed by any other troupe in the country. Chanchal, an elephant plays the role of a doctor in the ‘doctor elephant’ item. Lucky, her friend, plays the role of a patient. Chanchal also tries her skills in cricket by playing some lofted shots in the elephant cricket item.

The elephant is a favourite and has already won fame through her performance in Kamal Hassan’s film, ‘Dasavatharam.’ Chanchal has an interesting sequence with actress Mallika Sherawat in the movie.

Jumbo Circus, which began in the city on December 19, has around 350 members including 90 artistes. There are three daily shows (1 p.m., 4 p.m., 7 p.m.).