The Big Top or, simply, the huge colourful tent.
Clowns.
Gymnasts.
Acrobats.
Jugglers.
The Ringmaster.
And wide-eyed young children -- as well as their nostalgic parents -- watching the magic unfold.
This is Rambo Circus, one of the many circuses that have been touring India for decades.
But in the tasting platter, multi-option OTT universe of today, the world of the circus is shrinking and struggling to survive.
Until October 30, Rambo Circus will hold shows in Bandra, the north west Mumbai suburb.
Before the show starts, here's what goes on backstage. And how, despite a tragedy, the show went on.
All Photographs and Videos: Hitesh Harisinghani/Rediff.com
The 44 year old has more than two decades of experience as a circus performer.
"The audience matters to us," he says, "and not where we perform, be it at a ground or an auditorium."
"It's my first time performing here," smiles the 33 year old excitedly. "It's super fun."
Biju begins by requesting the audience to pay their respects to P T Dilip, who founded Rambo Circus in 1991.
Though it is just a few hours since Dilip passed away, his performers know that, come what may, the show doesn't stop.
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Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com