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The circus life

Fiza Naveed, 11, looks at her reflection as she brushes her hair inside her family tent. PHOTO: MYRA IQBAL/ THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE

Circus performers earn an average of Rs1,500 per act and barely scrape enough for a comfortable living. PHOTO: MYRA IQBAL/ THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE

Wasim Ahmed, 9, tidies his bed after getting dressed for his performance at the Lucky Irani Circus show in F-9 park. All the Lahore-based circus troupes are camped in tents for the duration of the show. PHOTO: MYRA IQBAL/ THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE

A circus performer amuses the crowd by spinning plates on sticks at the Lucky Irani Circus show in F9 park. PHOTO: MYRA IQBAL/ THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE

The Lahore based circus troupes are camped in tents backstage for the duration of the Lucky Irani Circus show in f9 park. PHOTO: MYRA IQBAL/ THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE

A newly-recruited circus dog is tied up in one of the tents backstage. PHOTO: MYRA IQBAL/ THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE

They are provided living tents and meals during shows by the circus manager. PHOTO: MYRA IQBAL/ THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE

Kaka sprays water on his hair to style it before his performance at the Lucky Irani Circus show in f9 park. PHOTO: MYRA IQBAL/ THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE

Humera, 17, applies makeup backstage before her act at the Lucky Irani Circus Show in f9 park. PHOTO: MYRA IQBAL/ THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE

Circus performers earn an average of 1500 rupees per act and barely scrape enough for a comfortable living. PHOTO: MYRA IQBAL/ THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE

Young Natasha, 10, nervously peeps outside the curtain at the crowd before her act. PHOTO: MYRA IQBAL/ THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE

Iqra Ahmed holds her baby brother affectionately as she watches TV in her tent backstage after her performance is over. PHOTO: MYRA IQBAL/ THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE

Siblings in the crowd watch an enthralling performance. PHOTO: MYRA IQBAL/ THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE

A young boy is seen mesmerized by the performance during the Lucky Irani Circus show in f9 park. PHOTO: MYRA IQBAL/ THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE

Mian Naseer Troupe has been teaching and performing gymnastics for five decades at the Lucky Irani Circus.

Reader Comments (12)

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Aisha

Jul 10, 2012 - 9:47PM

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love love love it.

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..

Jul 11, 2012 - 12:14AM

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My father took me this circus 12 years ago when they were performing in Pindi. I was incredibly fascinated by all the performers. I had a great time!! Thumbs up to all the people who bring a smile on others faces. I wish them health and success. Ameen.

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Kiran

Jul 11, 2012 - 9:48AM

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I wasn’t aware that there still existed a Circus in Pakistan and I’m happy to be able to have a glimpse inside their world through these wonderful photos.

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national

Jul 11, 2012 - 10:09AM

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thats great…such events should hapen more frequently

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rashid

Jul 11, 2012 - 1:04PM

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the poor children of the circus i feel so sorry for them they need to be educated its totally inhumane and its child labor

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gul

Jul 11, 2012 - 7:18PM

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Bro Rasheed m agree with you

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Fahad Raza

Jul 12, 2012 - 2:20AM

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Burma 2012

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Dureen

Jul 12, 2012 - 10:30AM

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Breaks my heart.. especially Fiza’s portrait…

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Dureen

Jul 12, 2012 - 10:32AM

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But I obviously hadn’t seen Waseem’s photograph. Good this is so cruel

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um

Jul 12, 2012 - 2:29PM

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my fatehr took me to the same circus around 14 years back and this time thanks to f9 and CDA i have been able to take my dad to this circus, we enjoyed it a lot

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Opinion

Jul 12, 2012 - 5:35PM

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Two sides of life’s, saw pics at LSA pics and The life Circus. LSA is also a kind of circus of high up….
well if lux spend money on these poor people or Lux sponsor this circus then it will bring changes in there life. rather promoting circus for highup.

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ChaoticOne

Jul 15, 2012 - 7:48PM

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Myra Iqbal… Thumbs up. Some brilliant work from you, I see vast potential here. Good Luck.

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