A Photo book by Pierre Claquin was officially
launched in Dhaka at the Alliance Française
last Sunday. The book, titled "Surviving
Dreams: The struggling circuses of Bangladesh,"
features photographs taken at circuses around
the country over the last two years. The French
Ambassador to Bangladesh, Michel Lummaux, was
present as the Guest of Honour at the ceremony.
In his speech, the Ambassador reflected on an
experience involving circuses in Bangladesh,
"We were talking about circuses in this
country with a couple of people, both Bangladeshis,
whose immediate response was, 'There are circuses
in Bangladesh?' This was followed by their stating
that any photographs taken must have been at
least thirty or forty years old, as possibly
there couldn't be any existing circuses left.
It was astounding at the people's complete ignorance
of the matter, but it also reflected the fact
that the popularity of circuses were on a wane."
On this decrease in interest, Pierre Claquin
said, "Compared to a decade ago, circuses
now utilise a different outlook altogether.
Most of the shows performed during the day follow
the usual standards, but the night shows are
different. The night shows combine the regular
acts with those of traditional Bangladeshi Jatra.
The focal point here is pretty girls and women
wearing skimpy outfits. Obviously the only audience
will be men, and hence the circus is forced
to lose its appeal as a family place."
He added, "I hope that this book will work
as an encouragement for people to visit these
circuses. Without further public response, they
may die out, taking with them decades of tradition."
The book features black and white snap-shots
of life and work in the circus. "I used
black and white film for this project because,
especially in the case of circuses, it is very
easy to be distracted by colours," said
the photographer. The book will be on sale at
the Alliance Française, on Mirpur Road
in Dhanmondi, and at Tribal Craft, located at
Road 7A in Banani. |
