Chaplin visits Kankaria Carnival

AHMEDABAD: Visitors to the Kankaria Carnival are in splits these days. Two Charlie Chaplins are holding court. Preaching on issues like anti-terrorism, alcohol and drug abuse, the two actors have become an instant hit with people at the carnival.
On Thursday, Kankaria Carnival witnessed a splendid performance by Indian Charlie Chaplins with their brand of moral messages.
The performance was in mime but the applause from their happy audiences, especially children, resounded through the revelry.
The mime was titled 'Daaku Ka Mann Parivartan.' It focused on four characters - Varaprabha Shirgaoankar as 'Charlie Chaplin,' Arun Oha as 'Daku Mangal Singh,' Ashwin Chauhan as 'Inspector Always Charged' and Suhash Godse as 'Magician Vikrant.'
This group that hails from Pune has been performing since 1984. They perform for the disabled children and also help orphans. "Our aim is to spread the essence of Indian culture through our acts. We'll also be performing in Hungary and England. We perform out of interest," said Subash Godse.
Varaprabha Shirgaoankar, who plays Charlie Chaplin, said, "We aim at teaching the children to say no to tobacco, alcohol and drugs right from an early age. The only way to teach them is to explain the evils associated with vices."
The troupe tours throughout India and performs on various themes like environment conservation, polio eradication and save the girl child. The character of Charlie Chaplin was chosen for this cause owing to Chaplin's famous statement: "I am a citizen of the world."