From the early nineteenth century, Indian itinerant artists have been journeying to the imperial centers This volume features source materials, including advertisements, biographies, legal documents, news articles, playbills, posters, reviews, thereby filling a critical void in circus histories.
From the early nineteenth century, Indian itinerant artists have been journeying to the imperial centers. The emerging Indian circus enabled a multitude of surplus labour and migrant artists to find their place within its rubric, subsequent to the encounters with the colonial circuses. The touring Indian circus along with its performers – both human and non-human – played a crucial role in the global circus networks, provoking a range of receptions and discourse. This collection features source materials, including advertisements, biographies, legal documents, news articles, playbills, posters, reviews, thereby filling a critical void in circus histories.
Volume IV: Circus in India
Acknowledgments
General Introduction
Introduction to Volume 4
Part
1. The First Touring Indian Artists- The Jugglers, Tamers, and
Wrestlers
Introduction
1. Engraving of Indian jugglers Mooty and Madua Samme performing the Chinese
stick play, Prague, c.
1822.
2. Ramo Samee at Royal Coburg Theatre, juggler, Handbill,
1821.
3. The Celebrated Indian Jugglers and Theatrical Performers, For One Night
Only (Australia), Handbill,
1852.
4. Wonder of Wonders Rowes American Circus- Indian Jugglers, Argus
(Melbourne), May 21, 1853, p.
8.
5. W.A.C., Journal of a Trip to Melbourne, South Australian Advertiser
(Adelaide, SA:1858-1889), January 30, 1861, p. 3
6. Ancient Indian Jugglers, Star (Ballarat, Victoria), August 3, 1861, p1.
7. Indian Juggling - Once a Week, Victorian Farmers Journal and Gardners
Chronicle (Melbourne), May 18, 1861, p604.
8. Death Transcription of Mahomet Cassim, NSW Registry of Births, Deaths
and Marriages, May 29, 1863
9. Indian Juggler Tricks, Darlings Down Gazette (Qld.), September 10, p.
1.
10. H. Dutt, Lieut. Suresh Biswas. His Life and Adventures (Calcutta: P. C.
Dass, 1899), pp. 114-117.
11. William Hazlitt, Indian Jugglers, Table Talk- Essays on Men and
Manners,
1828.
12. Wirths Circus, Kapunda Herald (South Australia), September 2,1904, p.
5.
13. Bilbys Circus, Hamilton Spectator (Victoria), October 14, 1912, p.
4.
14. Wirths Circus, The Sydney Morning Herald, April 5, 1927, p. 12
Part
2. Traveling Artists from Asia
Introduction
15. Che-Mah, the Chinese Dwarf, Childhood and Education, 1882
16. Carl Hagenbecks Ceylonese Exhibition in Islington, poster, 1886
17. Article 14- No Title, Ceylon Village in Manchester, The Times of India,
May 12, 1886, p.
5.
18. Tannakers Great Japanese Entertainment, poster,
1886.
19. Repatriation of certain Burmese jugglers alleged to have been deserted
at Liverpool in a destitute condition, Government Record, National Archives
of India,
1898.
20. The Barnum and Bailey: Supreme Pageant Aladin and His Wonderful Land,
poster, Collection of the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art Tibbals
Collection,
1917.
21. Bertram Mills Circus: Scottish Tour Inaugurated in Edinburgh, A
Wonderful Show, Linlithgowshire Gazette, July 5, 1935, p.
6.
22. Moving a Tented Town, The Evening Telegraph, July 23, 1935, p.
2.
23. The Big Top at Kirkclady: Bertram Mills Circus, The Fife Free Press.
July 20, 1935, p.
2.
Part
3. Precarious conditions of Indian artists in foreign lands and a public
outcry
Introduction
24. Distressed Indians in the South of France; lately employed in a circus
as acrobats, British Library Archives. Collection Indian Office Records and
Private Papers.
25. Proposed Removal of Quarantine by Egypt against arrival of artists from
Madras, Government Record, National Archives of India,
1892.
26. Removal of Quarantine by Egypt against arrival of artists from Madras,
Government Record, National Archives of India,
1892.
27. Passport granted to Babu Jogendra Nath Paul, and thirty-one members of
the Great Indian, Circus, proceeding to Java, Government Record, National
Archives of India,
1897.
28. Native jugglers, dancers, and circus attendants prohibited from embarking
from Bombay for any country out of British India, Telegrams and Memorandum
by the Commissioner of Bombay, Government Record, National Archives of India,
1900.
29. Letter from British Embassy, Berlin with Memorandum regarding Travelling
Indian Showmen engaged by Mr. John Hagenbeck, Berlin. With enclosure of
particulars of passports of Indian troupe touring Germany, including children
and adults, National Archives of India,
1926.
30. Making Show of Indians, Germans Exploit, Pampering Morbid Taste,
Protest Unheeded, Forward, August 2,
1926.
31. India misrepresented, Bombay Chronicle, August 9,
1926.
32. Exhibition of Indians at Berlin, Fulminations of Carl Hagenbeck,
Forward, August 17,
1926.
33. Indians in Berlin Zoo, The Tribune, November 14,
1926.
34. Indians in a German Zoo, Exhibition Closed, Leader (Allahabad),
November 13,
1926.
35. Exhibition given by Indians in Berlin under the direction of Mr.
Hagenbeck, Legislative Assembly Proceedings, South Asia Archive, March 4,
1927. pp. 1648-49.
36. Removal of the ban on Herr John Hagenbeck of the Hagenbeck family
circus proprietors and animal dealers of Hamburg (Germany) visiting India,
Government Record, National Archives of India,
1929.
Part
4. Touring International Circuses in India
Introduction
37. McCollums Circus, On the Maidan, Calcutta, Playbill. South Asia
Archive,
1864.
38. McCollum and Cousins Circus, (review), The Times of India, November
29, 1865, p.
3.
39. Wilsons Great World Circus, The Times of India, April 22, 1879, p.
1.
40. Miss Cookes Medal, The Friend of India and Statesman, No.2313, Vol.
XLV, July 1, 1879, p.
579.
41. A Happy New Year- Chiarinis Royal Italian Circus and Performing
Animal, (poster), Richard Flint Collection,
1881.
42. Chiarinis Royal Italian Circus and Performing Animals. The Athenaeum &
Daily News, Asiatic Society of Mumbai Archive, December 17, 1881, p.
1.
43. Chiarinis Royal Italian Circus and Performing Animals, The Times of
India, March 11, 1881, p.
1.
44. Wilsons Great World Circus, The Times of India, March 3, 1883, p2.
45. Blondin Blondin Blondin, Early Calcutta Advertisements, 29 January
1884.
46. Wilsons Great World Circus, Early Calcutta Advertisements, January,
1885.
47. Abell, Klaer, and Olmans Circus, The Times of India,
1888.
48. Fillis Circus: An Exciting Incident, The Times of India, February 23,
1891, p.
3.
49. Cookes Circus, The Statesman, July,
1895.
50. George Lansbury; enquires as to whereabouts of brother, performing with a
circus in India, 14 Apr 1896
51. Harmstons Circus, (review), The Times of India, February 14, 1902, p.
5.
52. Harmstons Grand Circus and Royal Menagerie of Wild Animals, Madras,
December 26, 1905, Silk Programme, Theatre and Performance Collection.
Accession No. S.15-2007. V & A Archives, London.
53. Harmstons Grand Circus and Royal Menagerie of Performing Wild Animals,
Calcutta, December 28, 1906, Silk Programme, Theatre and Performance
Collection. Accession No. S.769-1982. V & A Archives, London.
54. Fitzgerald Bros. All New Circus and Menagerie of Highly Educated Wild
Animals, The Times of India, February 10, 1905, p.
3.
55. Col. Frank Fillis Circus, The Times of India, January 29, 1918, p.
3.
56. Maurice Wirth, of the Wirth Circus Family, transcript of interview,
1920. Maurice Wirth interviewed by Michelle Rayner, ABC Radio National,
Australia, Transcription by Mark St. Leon.
57. Thrills for Bombay- Bostocks Circus Attractions, The Times of India,
March 8,
1923.
Part
5. First Indian circuses
Introduction
58. The Great Indian Circus, The Times of India, February 3, 1876, p.
3.
59. Prof. Ramchandra Raos Marhatta Circus, Circus Programme, (Year
Unknown).
60. Grand Indian Circus, The Times of India, November 23, 1883, p.
2.
61. Grand Indian Circus, The Times of India, November 24, 1883, p.
2.
62. The National Circus, Early Calcutta Advertisements, 5 December,
1883.
63. The Grand Indian Circus, The Times of India, January 25, 1884, p.
1.
64. Roys Indian Circus, Early Calcutta Advertisements, September 12,
1885.
65. Professor Chatres Circus, The Times of India, April 9, 1888, p.
5.
66. The Great Indian Circus, The Times of India, October 6, 1890, p.
3.
67. The Great Indian Circus, The Bangalore Spectator, April 11, 1893, p.
1.
68. Professor Boses Great Bengal Circus, Early Calcutta Advertisements,
1900.
69. Chatres Indian Circus, The Times of India. November 16, 1908, p.
5.
70. Prof Devals Circus, The Times of India. November 3, 1911, p.
5.
71. State Ceremonies (during Delhi Durbar)-The Badshahi Mela- Patiala and
Rampur Circus, book section, 1911, p.
92.
72. Karlekar s Grand Circus, Circus Programme, December 18,
1914.
73. Karlekar s Grand Circus, Circus Programme,
1915.
74. Karlekar s Grand Circus, Special Circus Programme (year unknown).
75. A Hindu Ballyhoo, The Literary Digest, July 7, 1917, p.
57.
76. Karlekars Royal Circus and Menagerie of Performing Wild Animals, The
Times of India, January 29, 1918, p.
3.
77. Karlekars Circus: Frenchman's Daring Feat in Motor, The Times of
India, April 1, 1929, p.
6.
78. Karlekars Circus: Terrifying Motor Car Turn, The Times of India, April
16, 1929, p.
4.
79. Abanindra Krishna Basu, Bangalir Circus, (Bengali with quotations in
English), 1938/2018.
80. Abanindra Krishna Basu, Bangalir Circus, (Bengali with quotations in
English), 1938/2018.
Part
6. Women artists in Indian circus
Introduction
81. Abanindra Krishna Basu, Bangalir Circus, (Bengali with quotations in
English), 1938/2018.
82. Miss Tara Bai: The Indian Lady Sandow, The Bombay Chronicle. March 12,
1914, p.
9.
83. Sushila Sundari with Shumbha and Nishumbha Tigers, (image) Banganibasi,
Archives for the Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, Calcutta. Image from
before
1924.
84. Sushila Sundari with Tigress Lakshmi, (image), Bangalir Circus,
Original Publication by Publicity Studio,
1938. Re-published by Gangchil
Publications,
2013.
85. Sushila Sundari in a Pyramid Act, (image), Bangalir Circus, Original
Publication by Publicity Studio,
1938. Re-published by Gangchil Publications,
2013.
Part
7. Strongmen in Circuses and their Acts
Introduction
86. Shyamakanta Banerjee, in Strongmen over the years (A chronicle of
Athletes) (Oudh Printing Press/ South Asia Archives, 1942), pp. 6-12
87. Health and Hygiene A Weakling can become an Athlete Rash Behary
The Gymnast, India Tomorrow, August 6, 1933, pp. 585-586.
88. Saint Nihal Singh, The Indian Hercules: The Amazing Feats of Professor
Rama Murti Naidu, The Strand Magazine. 1915, pp. 695-696.
Part
8. Circus Tents
Introduction
89. Public Meeting to Protest Against the License Tax, The Times of India,
February 20, 1878, p.
2.
90. Article 12-No Title (Chiarinis Circus), December 1, 1880, p.
3.
91. Fillis Circus, February 24, 1891, p.
5.
92. The Circuses, The Times of India, January 23, 1904, p.
8.
Part
9. Non-human Performers from India in International Circuses
Introduction
93. The Circus, Sydney Daily Telegraph, June 2, 1880, p.
3.
94. Woodlochs Circus, South Australian Register, December 24, 1894, p.
7.
95. Harmstons Circus, Barrier Miner, December 11, 1897, p.
4.
96. Fitzgeralds Circus, South Australian Register, June 9, 1897, p.
6.
97. Harmstons Circus, Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners; Advocate,
February 24, 1898, p.
5.
98. Article 3 No Title, The Times of India, January 5, 1898, p.
5.
99. Lennons Circus, Hamilton Spectator, August 1, 1911, p.
4.
100. Eronis Circus, St. Arnaud Mercury, October 10, 1914, p.
4.
101. Wirths Circus, Brisbane Courier. May 28, 1930, p.
24.
Part
10. Indian Circuses and Artists on International Tours
Introduction
102. Chatres Circus, The China Mail, July 12, 1902, p.
4.
103. Chatres New Indian Circus, The China Mail, July 12, 1902, p.
5.
104. Chatres Circus, The Hong Kong Weekly Press and China Overland Trade
Report, July 19, 1902, p.
51.
105. Liners to and From Orient: Shinano Reaches Port Has Indian Circus on
Board, The Daily Colonist, November 5, 1902, p.
4.
106. Hindoo Circus, The Billboard, November 22, 1902, p.
13.
107. Empresss First Circus: Epoch-Making Performance at Pekin, The Evening
Telegraph. November 11, 1903, p.
3.
108. Jas P. Schooner, A Visit to the Summer Palace with Chatres New Indian
Circus, The North China Herald and Supreme Court & Consular Gazette,
November 20, 1903, pp. 1074-75.
109. Chatres Indian Circus (in Hong Kong), The China Mail, November 26,
1903, p.
4.
110. Kannan Bombayo at Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus, (image), Billy Rose
Theatre Division Collection: Circus and Magic Posters, New York Public
Library,
1933.
111. Bertram Mills Circus: Forthcoming Visit to Edinburgh for Two Weeks,
Linlithgowshire Gazette, June 28, 1935, p.
6.
112. The Big Top at Kirkcaldy: Bertram Mills Circus, The Fife Free
Press. July 20, 1935, p.
2.
113. Circus Children, The Yorkshire Post, July 22, 1937, p.
8.
114. Bertram Mills Circus: Coming to Boston next Monday, The Skegness
News, May 26, 1937, p.
7.
Bibliography
Index
Aastha Gandhi is an Assistant Professor teaching graduate program in Performance Studies at B.R. Ambedkar University, Delhi. Her area of research engages with the circus, migration, networks, and discourses of the performing body. A degree in law and proficiency in dance adds to her multi-faceted and inter-disciplinary approach to research. Her forthcoming book, A Critical History of the Indian Circus: Performance, Networks, and Migration (Palgrave Macmillan) frames the evolution of Indian circus history and practice through mobility, migration, and actor-networks.
