Kannur: Gemini Shankaran alias MV Shankaran, founder of Gemini Circus, passed away on Sunday at his residence in Kannur. He was 99. He had been suffering from age-related ailments. 

Shankaran, who is the oldest circus artiste in the country, also served as the president of India Circus Federation. 

He has maintained friendly relations with Prime Ministers Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Morarji Desai and Rajiv Gandhi, as well as world leaders like Martin Luther King Jr, Mountbatten, Kenneth Kaunda and astronaut Valentina Tereshkova.

Born in June 1924, Shankaran went on to learn Kalari from martial arts trainer Keeleri Kunhikannan in Thalassery. He then joined the Army following his brother’s steps and retired after four-and-a-half years. In 1946, he joined the famous Boss Lion Circus in Kolkata. 

Soon after, he became part of the then popular National Circus and Great Bombay Circus. Shankaran, along with a friend, also took over the Vijaya Circus, which had been struggling under financial problems. Following which, he founded the Gemini Circus. 

In 1977, Shankaran took over Jumbo Circus. He also participated in the International Circus Festival that took place in China. He has won several honours including lifetime achievement awards. 

His wife Sobhana predeceased him and is survived by children Ajay Shankar, Ashok Shankar and Renu Shankar.

The funeral will be held on Tuesday at Payyambalam, Kannur.