He was suffering from age-related ailments…
On Monday, 24 April 2023, the founder of Gemini Circus and a pioneer of Indian circus, Gemini Sankaran, died, a family member said.
He was 99 years old.
He was admitted to the hospital the past few days because of age-related ailments and he took his last breath on Sunday night.
Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan hailed Mr. Sankaran for playing a major role in popularising Indian circuses worldwide.
"He played a major role in modernizing the Indian circus and included foreign performers and their tricks," Vijayan said.
The CM said he had close ties with Mr. Sankaran who had a positive and progressive outlook.
Mr. Sankaran used to have close relations with various prime ministers, presidents, and other famous personalities.
His death is a great loss to the art of circus in the country, Mr. Vijayan said.
Mr. Sankaran was born in 1924, trained under famous artist Keeleri Kunhikannan for three years, and later joined the military and retired after the Second World War.
After working with various circus groups, initially, he purchased Vijaya Circus Company in 1951 and renamed it Gemini Circus. Later, he started another company, named Jumbo Circus.
He was honored with the lifetime achievement award considering his overall contribution to the circus.
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