Quick Facts
Biography
Sushila Sundari (1879 - 1924) was the first Indian woman to perform in a circus. She was known for her daring acts with the tigers at the Great Bengal Circus.
Early life
Sushila Sundari was born in the year 1879. Very little is known about her family background and early life. Her sister Kumudini was also a performer at the Great Bengal Circus.
Career
Sushila Sundari's was one of the star performers of the Great Bengal Circus, owned and directed by Professor Bose. She was an expert gymnast and trapeze artist. She could also ride a horse. At the opening of show, she and her sister Kumudini arrived on the stage riding on horse.
In November 1896, the Great Bengal Circus displayed their acts at the durbar of Rewa. The price of Rewa was so pleased with their performance that he gifted them a pair of Bengal tigers. The tigers were believed to bring luck to the team and therefore christened as Lakshmi and Narayan, after the Hindu deities. Sushila learned how to master the tigers. By 1901, the shows of Great Bengal Circus would feature Sushila Sundari in daring acts with the two tigers. She would enter their cage with ease and make them growl, stand up and sit down. She would arm wrestle with them and display their open jaws. After that she would recline on them and pose for photographs.
When of one of the trained tigers died, she attempted the daring acts with an untrained tiger named Fortune. During the performance, Fortune severely wounded Sushila with its paws. Sushila became invalid for the rest of her life. Her health deteriorated and she passed in 1924.