Circuses provide surreal, fantastic entertainment. At times magical and at others chilling, the circus is a world of fantasy and spectacle for the viewer, but for the performer, a career in the circus often brings with it a nomadic, lonely life. In "Circus Girl", photographer Saibal Das captures beautiful and unusual images of circus girls, photographs which evoke this sense of darkness and resignation that underlies the otherworldly feats they perform under the big top. For instance, in one photograph, a circus girl whose act involves a lioness is seen sitting in front of a mirror putting on her makeup. The lioness that she usually whips in the ring stands behind her, her paw touching the girl's shoulder affectionately. But both wear a solemn look. In another, the girl sits on her props, staring silently at the snack packets strewn on the ground. The giant marquee is empty. Internationally renowned mime artist Nola Rae provides a haunting accompanying text that poetically comments on the transient wanderings of the circus performers who often yearn for a conventional family life while donning their costumes and taking hold of the trapeze. Rae gives voice to the circus girls, articulating the thoughts too often hidden by the brilliant illusion of stage lights.

About the Author
As a staff photographer at India Today, Saibal Das spent considerable time covering the United Liberation Front of Asom insurgency and the ethnic fight between the Nagas and the Kukis. He also documented many important sociopolitical events in Nepal, Bangladesh, and Bhutan. Nola Rae is an internationally renowned mime artist.


Book Information
ISBN 9781906497330
Author Saibal Das
Format Hardback
Page Count 142
Imprint Seagull Books London Ltd
Publisher Seagull Books London Ltd
Weight(grams) 851g
Dimensions(mm) 24mm * 24mm * 2mm