Circuses in India may be dead within the decade writes Kay Johnson:

• In the 1990s India had 300 circuses. Today there are around 30.
• The decline is part of a wider trend across the world – people have found alternate sources of entertainment that have caused circus revenues to fall.
• But the decline is particularly steep in India where the Supreme Court has banned the use of wild animals and child performers.
• Since many circus skills have to be taught at a young age, the ban against child performers will make it more difficult to train future entertainers.
• Cities have also become more congested and circuses have to set up their tents further and further away from city centers – causing a decline in audience buzz.

Read more about the 150 year history of Indian circuses, what circus owners have to say, and the stories of various circus performers over here.

Source: Daily News