...

Surviving Dreams: The Struggling Circuses of Bangladesh

The educated urban bhadrolok told me that the circus had gone. Being a stubborn French Breton I had to find out for myself. There were 10 circuses still active by mid-2002, all struggling against bureaucracy, corruption and at times, prejudice.

Circuses have a special - almost magical - place. They entertain us, make us dream, but also allow indiscretions. They bring the jungle into our tamed lives. They make us laugh. The Hindi movie influence has led to hip-swinging ‘princesses’ which some consider cheap.

Spectators pay for their dreams, but for the artists life is only too real:
the uncertain future, the fear of accidents and death, the paltry salary,
the sometimes difficult public. Marginalised human beings who hope for
normality for their children. They have no romantic view of their nomadic existence. It is hard labour, for life, and “the show must go on”.

Pierre Claquin