Juggler brothers worry about their dying art

Say many people from their field have left the industry for lack of audience

LAHORE: Most people think juggling is all about throwing things in the air and catching them, but two brothers who have mastered the art consider it both visually complex and physically challenging.

“It is not just about learning tricks. We have even broken our hands while mastering this art,” said Yaseen Juggler, 30. His younger brother Ramzan chuckles and says that this act is more like Pakistani politicians who know how to manipulate each other.  He may be just 22 years old, but the young man is extremely familiar with the art. “Sometimes our politicians get along quote well until slight differences turn major into ones between decades-old allies,” he quips, clearly referring to the battle royale between the PML-N and PTI leaderships.



“Juggling is the manipulation of one object or many objects at the same time, using one or two hands,” says Ramzan.

Yaseen and Ramzan have been learning and practising the art of juggling since childhood, but they think their profession is dying in Pakistan. “Only four highly trained jugglers are in the country, the same way is there are only a few genuine politicians.” adds Yaseen.

The elder of the two brothers says juggling is a physical activity, involving the manipulation of an object for recreation, entertainment, art or sports.

He adds there are several forms of juggling, but in Pakistan, the most common are involve footballs, acrobatics, balls, fires, tables and rings.

“In order to perform this art, one needs a lot of practice,” he says. “At the same time, it is a very healthy activity.”

The juggler adds he and his brother are usually invited to perform juggling acts at schools, colleges, birthday parties, circuses, theatres and festivals.



He says that nowadays, most professional jugglers have left their profession because in Pakistan, people do not know much about the art.

“It is very difficult to make a living through such acts these days.”

He suggests that the government promote such art and activities because they are healthy and having a healthy mind and body is very important in these difficult times.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 24^th, 2017.