| Priyanath Bose | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1865 Jagulia, 24 Parganas, Bengal, British India |
| Died | 1920 |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Ethnicity | Bengali Hindu |
| Occupation | Equestrian and entrepreneur |
| Religion | Hinduism |
Priyanath Bose (Bengali: প্রিয়নাথ বসু ) (1865–1920) was a 19th century Indian Bengali entrepreneur and the pioneer of Indian Circus acts.
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Priyanath Bose was born to Monomohan Bose, a resident of Jagulia in North 24 Parganas, West Bengal. Not much is known about the personal life of Priyanath Bose apart from that the soubriquets 'Dr. Bose' and 'Professor Bose' suggest him to be a college professor of some manner.
The genesis of Circus acts with trapeze, gymnastics, jugglers and shows with trained animals, in Bengal, dates back to the Melas (fairs) which used to be organized on the outskirts of towns and cities. The memoirs of Jyotirindranath Tagore records that Nabagopal Mitra pioneered the National Circus, and that was the start of organized circus acts in Bengal. Ram Chandra Chatterjee, the pioneer aviator of India started his career at the National Circus.
The 'Dr. Bose's Great Bengal Circus' founded by Dr. Bose in 1887 was the pioneering circus act and was a household name in late nineteenth and early 20th century Bengal. He was ably assisted in the venture by his brother Matilal Bose. Tours of this circus party took a hold on the towns and villages of Bengal, and even Swami Vivekananda praised it as "More effective than articles and lectures".
The circus consisted of trapeze acts, gymnastics and wild animals. Not just men, but there were Women performers in the circus act as well. Bose hired Gus Burns, an American , to train the tigers and lions, and there were later Indian men and women who performed as ringmasters, as well.
Dr. Bose was himself an expert at juggling and equestrian events.
It was indeed a multi-cultural event, with Russian, German, French, and Germans aspart of the show, along with the Bengali artistes.
After Priyanath's death in 1920, the Circus was taken over and run by his brother Matilal, but perished thereafter.