Clowning around

Circus arts gained centrestage in Goa last week as performers from across the world participated in InJuCo, the Indian Juggling Convention, started by a German national in India

Circus arts gained centrestage in Goa last week as performers from across the world participated in InJuCo, the Indian Juggling Convention, started by a German national in India

The moment you step into InJuCo you realise you've stepped into a whole new world that isn't anything like the one we've been living in all these years. People are artists, work is play and smiling, a way of being. For those who don't know what InJuCo is, it's short for the Indian Juggling Convention that took place in Goa all of last week. And for those who don't know what a Juggling Convention is, well, it's time you quit your job, join in and find out for yourself. I did!

At first, you maybe blinded by the dreadlocks, tattoos and piercings all around but once you get over that you'll start noticing the real essence behind all this hippy-ness. Simply put, it's a space where artists jugglers, acrobats, fire dancers, staff and poi spinners, clowns, street artists, healers and musicians come together to showcase their talent, develop their skills and selflessly share their magic with all those around.

This is addiction taken to a whole different level. They practise relentlessly, from morning to night. There are times when the hoola refuses to spin anymore, the staff knocks the spinner hard on the head and the three colourful balls fall straight to the floor after their many-attempted flights of fantasy but the artist doesn't stop. He's at it from morning to night. You'll always see a ball balancing on a juggler's head and a pen rotating between a staff spinner's fingers be it when he's eating a meal, indulging in conversation or just sitting idle. Their art has not only become part of their lives but part of themselves as well.

"India needed a space for artists to come together. That's what InJuCo is all about. A space where artists meet, explore and exchange ideas," says Tom Heine, a German national who started InJuCo last year for the first time in India. "What I like most about conventions are the innocent child-like smiles on each face. We sometimes forget how important it is to play. And what could be better than learning to master your game from some of the best artists of the world."

It may seem like a completely international event with just a handful of local participants, which isn't much of a surprise as circus arts has not really been the most popular thing we've seen while growing up. But it's interesting to notice that one of the key organisers of the event, Lata Seth, 27, is an Indian, born and brought up in Pune. She has been performing for over 10 years, in India and internationally, and attends as many international conventions as she can in a year. "Performing, for me, is meditative. It takes care of my physical and emotional well-being," says Lata. "While practising you don't think as you have to be focused and that helps you to always live in the present."

The convention is a completely non-profit event.u00a0 The artists conduct workshops for free. Every evening sees hair-raising performances, which are also free. And the core team works voluntarily to organise the convention. "It's all about your love for the arts and selfless giving. Internationally renowned artists come here, but not for the money, just for the pleasure of teaching, of passing on the magic," says Lata.

Last year the proceeds were handed over to Lion's Club for a community service project but this year the plan is to open a fund for InJuCo, which will help the convention to sustain itself each year. "InJuCo is just a start. My vision is to build a village of local and international artists; where people from all over the world come together. Art is communication communication is understanding and when there is understanding, there is peace," philosophizes Tom.

InJuCo in its humble avatar shares its spirit with its artists modest yet overwhelming. No grand advertising, no great PR activities and no, I wasn't 'assigned' to write this story. I was part of InJuCo, I learnt well and the little I can do is to try to pass on the magic. Keep playing.u00a0u00a0