When was the last time you saw a clown entertain you on stage when you were enjoying the company of your family? This is one occasion that Goans can enjoy a two hour programme with 25 clowns from all across the world taking the stage at Kala Academy, Panjim. Clowning is one of the many art forms that have a history in India. However, with new shows across the country, clowning is gaining more prominence.
Curated and produced by Martin Flubber D'Souza, an award-winning international clown, he is visiting Goa with a big grand show for the second time and this year it is even more special as it marks the tenth anniversary of the International Clown Festival. The festival will be held on three days, October 25 to 27 at Kala Academy, Panjim with three shows per day.
“The last time my show was in Goa was in my first year, which was 14 years ago in 2010. We have got 25 clowns from 10 different countries, Argentina, Brazil, Peru, France, Italy, Germany, Russia and India. This is a 10 cities tour and we are doing 75-100 shows. We have started in September and it will be on till December,” says Mumbai-based Martin, who goes by the name Flubber as a clown. Martin was the Vice President of the World Clown Association and the only Indian with that honour.
Speaking about this introduction to clowning 35 years ago, Martin admits that he took the challenge of becoming a clown for a birthday party because others were too embarrassed to it. “I was just out of college and I was an emcee. As I did clowning, I found there is so much joy and energy in doing it. It is not just a clown for children, it's for the whole family. I started exploring and found out that there is so much clown education all over the world. I got admission into the University of Wisconsin to study clownology as a summer program. They gave me a scholarship. Then I got more involved in it and the association,” reminisces Martin.
What is the International Clown Festival all about? “We have a two hour show with clowns performing a whole series of comedy pieces, a bit of juggling, a bit of comedy, unicycling. There is original music, which is very interactive music for the kids and families. It is a whole variety of entertainment for the family,” informs Martin.
Clowning is now taken very seriously and it is due to their efforts that the entertainers are now respected across the world. “The very most important thing is that every one of us are very skilled award winning entertainers. When there is a respect for the art form and focus on making your art look and presenting yourself better, then people will automatically respect you and like you. But if you don't respect your talent, then obviously nobody will enjoy what you are doing,” says Martin, who has performed this show in Pune, Bangalore and Kolkata.
He adds, “There is a sense of achievement and when you are on stage as an entertainer, there is a seriousness to it. There is a lot of interest in this whole art form now because of the internet, videos and easy learning options are available. Youth are trying to explore different areas of work. This year, we have got a lot more women in the group. The girl children are very attracted to the lady clowns as they are able to connect with the kids much better.”
Clowning is not just about clowns. There are clowns in carnivals, schools and even hospital clowning. How do they deal with children who start crying looking at clowns? “They cry not because they didn't know anything. It's that parents push the children onto the clown. A child is seeing a photograph in a book or paper and suddenly you see a 5 foot, 6 foot big person. For them, it's a big shock. When a child is afraid, we stay far away, we make eye contact, make sure that we are safe and we are not threatening. We are giants to the little kids. We have to go down on our knees, go eye to eye on their levels. It takes time for them,” explains Martin.
While the show is for children, parents are also encouraged to emote freely. “It is not just a small kiddie show, it is a family show. When a parent is smiling and laughing, a child sees dad and mom laughing and smiling, it makes a big difference to the child because parents are always stressed out. When parents play with children and the children see parents happy, then the world changes. When you are happy and smiling, you are more relaxed,” concludes Martin.