Gemini Sankaran, doyen of Indian circus, dies at 99

By Express News Service

KANNUR: Morkkoth Vengakkandi Sankaran, popularly typically known as Gemini Sankaran, 99, the pioneer of the Indian circus commerce and the founding father of Gemini Circus, Jumbo Circus and The Great Royal Circus, handed away at a private hospital in Kannur on Sunday at 11.40 pm. He was beneath remedy for age-related diseases for the earlier week. 

Born on June 13, 1924, to Kolasseriyil Kavinissery Raman Nair and Moorkkoth Kalyani Amma, Sankaran learnt the art work of circus from Thalassery native Keeleri Kunhikkannan for 3 years. He then opened a grocery retailer in his native nevertheless wanted to close it down after struggling massive losses. Later, he joined the army and returned to Thalassery after the second world battle.

By then, his guru Keeleri Kunhikkannan had died and Sankaran continued his circus teaching beneath M Ok Raman of Thalassery. After two years of teaching beneath Raman, Sankaran went to Kolkata and commenced working with the Bose Lion Circus Company as an artist. He later joined the National Circus Company. 

Sankaran’s life modified after he decided to buy Vijaya Circus Company for Rs 6,000 in 1951. He modified the title of the company to Gemini Circus, based mostly totally on his zodiac sign. The first effectivity of the company was held at Bilimora in Gujarat on August 15, 1951.

In 1977, Sankaran launched his second enterprise, Jumbo Circus, and later went on to start out out his third agency, The Great Royal Circus. The mortal stays had been dropped at his house at Varam spherical 10.30 am on Monday. The funeral shall be held at Payyambalam on Tuesday. He is survived by kids Ajay Sankar, Ashok Sankar and Renu Shankar.  Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan condoled the demise. 

“Gemini Sankaran played a key role in popularising Indian Circus on the world stage,” acknowledged Pinarayi. “He handled both the roles, as an artist and as an owner of many circus companies, with ease. He maintained a cordial personal relationships with many world leaders, including prime ministers and presidents of the country. His death comes as a great loss to the world of circus and the people of the state,” acknowledged Pinarayi.

KANNUR: Morkkoth Vengakkandi Sankaran, popularly typically known as Gemini Sankaran, 99, the pioneer of the Indian circus commerce and the founding father of Gemini Circus, Jumbo Circus and The Great Royal Circus, handed away at a private hospital in Kannur on Sunday at 11.40 pm. He was beneath remedy for age-related diseases for the earlier week. 

Born on June 13, 1924, to Kolasseriyil Kavinissery Raman Nair and Moorkkoth Kalyani Amma, Sankaran learnt the art work of circus from Thalassery native Keeleri Kunhikkannan for 3 years. He then opened a grocery retailer in his native nevertheless wanted to close it down after struggling massive losses. Later, he joined the army and returned to Thalassery after the second world battle.

By then, his guru Keeleri Kunhikkannan had died and Sankaran continued his circus teaching beneath M Ok Raman of Thalassery. After two years of teaching beneath Raman, Sankaran went to Kolkata and commenced working with the Bose Lion Circus Company as an artist. He later joined the National Circus Company. googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.present(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); );

Sankaran’s life modified after he decided to buy Vijaya Circus Company for Rs 6,000 in 1951. He modified the title of the company to Gemini Circus, based mostly totally on his zodiac sign. The first effectivity of the company was held at Bilimora in Gujarat on August 15, 1951.

In 1977, Sankaran launched his second enterprise, Jumbo Circus, and later went on to start out out his third agency, The Great Royal Circus. The mortal stays had been dropped at his house at Varam spherical 10.30 am on Monday. The funeral shall be held at Payyambalam on Tuesday. He is survived by kids Ajay Sankar, Ashok Sankar and Renu Shankar.  Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan condoled the demise. 

“Gemini Sankaran played a key role in popularising Indian Circus on the world stage,” acknowledged Pinarayi. “He handled both the roles, as an artist and as an owner of many circus companies, with ease. He maintained a cordial personal relationships with many world leaders, including prime ministers and presidents of the country. His death comes as a great loss to the world of circus and the people of the state,” acknowledged Pinarayi.