Under the Big Top: The History and Status of the Indian Circus•medium•8 questions•~8 min
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Question 01
medium
Consider the following statements about the origin of modern Indian circus:
1. The Great Indian Circus, founded by Vishnupant Chatre, held its first performance on March 20, 1880.
2. Vishnupant Chatre worked as a martial art and gymnastics teacher under the Raja of Kurduwadi.
3. The Great Indian Circus toured successfully in Ceylon and South East Asia but failed to match competitors in North America.
4. According to Philip Astley, an English circus master, the first Indian circus was born around 1880.
Which of the above statements are correct?
Question 02
medium
Keeleri Kunhikannan, known as the 'Father of Indian Circus', opened his circus school in 1901 at which of the following locations?
Question 03
hard
Which of the following circus companies and their founding details are CORRECTLY matched?
1. Three Ring Circus — Founded by K. Damodaran; first and only six-pole three-ring circus of Asia
2. Great Bombay Circus — Founded by Baburao Kadam in 1920 as Grand Bombay Circus; renamed in 1947
3. Gemini Circus — Started in Bihar in 1977; called 'The Pride of India'
4. Great Royal Circus — Originally Madhushkar's Circus (1909); taken over and renamed by N.R. Walawalker
Question 04
medium
Gemini Circus, started in 1951 at Bilimora in Gujarat, achieved a notable first in 1964. What was this achievement?
Question 05
medium
Consider the following statements about the decline of the Indian circus industry:
1. The Supreme Court banned hiring children below the age of 14 for circus in 2011.
2. The Government of India enforced a ban on the use of wild animals for entertainment in 1997.
3. The number of Indian circuses declined from around 300 in 1990 to just 30 in 2017.
4. Indian circus companies are currently under the ambit of the Ministry of Culture.
Which of the above statements are correct?
Question 06
medium
Damoo Dhotre, one of the most popular Indian ring masters, was associated with which of the following famous circus in the USA, whose show was known as 'The Greatest Show on Earth'?
Question 07
hard
Consider the following statements about the Indian Circus Academy established to honour Keeleri Kunhikannan:
1. It was opened by the Government of Kerala in 2010.
2. It is located at Chirakkara, the same location as Kunhikannan's original 1901 circus school.
3. It is facing closure due to low number of trainees and financial constraints.
Which of the above statements are correct?
Question 08
medium
Kerala earned the title 'Cradle of Indian Circus' primarily because of which of the following reasons?
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