"The Great Indian Circus" was first modern indian circus, founded by Vishnupant Chatre , an accomplished equestrian and singer under the patronage of the Raja of Kurduwadi.First performance was held onmarch 20,1880.Toured extenisvely ceylon and south east asia.

Keeleri KhuniKannan "The Fatherof Indian Circus" He was the teacher of martial Art and Gymnastics. On chatre's request he started training acrobats at his acdemy .In 1901 he opened the circus school at chirakkara near tellicherry (Kerala).

Damoo Dhotre he was one of the most famous ring master of all time. Born to a poor family in pune 1902, he joined isako's Russian circus as a proprietor.In 1939, he moved to france with bertram Mills Circus and then on to the world famous Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus USA.Thier show was know as "The Greatest show on earth" he also serve us army from 1943 to 1946. He was also known as "Wil animals Man" and was granted us citizenship in 1960, however he return to india and ided in 1973.

Kerala "The Cradle of indian Circus" student of kunhikanna's , P kannan started his own circus "Grand Malabar" others are the Great Lion Circus, The Eastern Circus, The fairy circus ...

Goverment of kerala Opened circus academy in thalassery 2010.

MAJOR CIRCUS COMAPNIES IN INDIA

Three Ring Circus started by K.Damodaran was famous for six-pole three-ring circus of Asia.
Great Royal Circus one of the oldest circus troupe of india started as madhuskar' s circus in 1909 . Later take over by N.R Walawalker and was renamed as Great royal circus.
Great Bombay Circus started in 1920 Baburao Kadam, the nephew of K.Kunhikannan it became the largest circus company in india with 300 performers and 60 animals.
Gemini Circus started in 1951 at bilmora in Gujrat by M.V. Shankaran.He was an ex-army man expert aerialist and acrobat and became popular as Gemini Shankarettan.

In 1964 Gemini Circus became the first indian Circus to attend the International Circus Festival in USSR. They held shows at Moscow, Sochi and Yalta.It also became famous for backdrop of many indian movies like Raj Kappor's Mera naam Joker.

Jumbo Circus "The Pride Of India" largest circus of the modern times. It was started in bihar in 1977 and was later aquired by shankaran family.Its included russian acrobats and perfromers.