The organisers of the first ever-International Clown Festival in India hope to bring back the innocence and laughter associated with clowns. No offence meant, Heath Ledger fans

The organisers of the first ever-International Clown Festival in India hope to bring back the innocence and laughter associated with clowns. No offence meant, Heath Ledger fans

Last weekend, many Halloween parties revealed a certain fascination for the clown's garb. Not dressed to evoke laughter, most of the guests sported fake smile-shaped scars (like The Joker from The Dark Knight), trying to look their sinister best.

Clowns from across the worldu00a0- Canada, South Africa, USA and Malaysia
u00a0- are part of the festival. Pic/Nimesh Dave

Valerie Meiners (better known as Puff The Clown) and a bunch of international clowns who are in the city for the International Clown Festival in India hope to make amends, changing the negative image that's come to be associated with their profession.

The fest, the first ever to be held in India, is scheduled to go on till November 14.
"We are here to entertain the audience, show them what clowning is all about and share the love and laughter that we bring to the festival," says Meiners. For Martin D'Souza, Director of Light House Entertainment, organisers of the festival, this is an opportunity to introduce Indian audiences to clowning of international standard. "The only clowns we know are the midget jokers in the circus. Internationally, a circus clown is very talented. In fact, getting into a circus as a clown is extremely difficult. Jokers make people laugh. Clowns can make people happy," says D'Souza, who is the first professionally trained clown from India.

A group of eleven clowns from Canada, South Africa, USA and Malaysia have been brought brought down by D'Souza and his team. Performances will include on-stage theatre shows, juggling, pantomime, gags, magic and balloon shows. "It will be 100 minutes of non-stop fun and absolute entertainment," promises D'Souza. Meiners says it's best to "leave your worries outside the theatre, think and act like a child and be prepared to have a really good belly laugh."

Watch out for
Four kinds of clowns at the festival
>White-faced clowns, who are said to be very stylish.
>Agust clowns, who wear a little make-up, a big red smile and colourful costume. They are naughty, bumbly and interactive.
>Hobo or Tramp. He's the sad clown. Think Charlie Chaplin.
>Character clowns, who dress up as policemen, doctors and other professionals.

Festival Schedule
November 6: Theatre Show at Stu00a0 Andrew's, Bandra (4.15 pm - 6 pm; 7.15 pm - 9 pm)
November 7: Oberoi Mall, Goregaon (6 pm - 8 pm)
Sunday Brunch at Marriott CourtYard (12 noon till 4 pm)u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0
Theatre Show at St Andrew's (4 .15 pm - 6 pm; 7.15 pm - 9 pm)
November 8: Theatre Show at Stu00a0 Andrew's (6 pm - 8 pm)
November 9: Workshops at St. Xavier's College (9 am - 1 pm)u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0 Theatre Show at St Andrew's (6 pm - 8 pm)
November 10: Workshops at Stu00a0 Andrew's (9 am - 1 pm)
Theatre Show at Stu00a0 Andrew's (6 pm - 8 pm)
November 11: Theatre Show at Stu00a0 Andrew's (6 pm - 8 pm)
November 12: Charity Show at Thane's Holy Trinity School (4 pm- 6 pm)u00a0
Tickets: Rs 500 to Rs 1,500. For tickets, log on to www.clownfestindia.com, www.bookmyshow.com. Call Vidhi Sharma on 9820644016 for details.