Laloo, “the Happy Hindoo”

A native of Oovonin, Oudh, Laloo Ramparsad (1874-1905) was born with a parasitic twin springing from his chest. The brother (although it was sometimes dressed as a sister) possessed arms, legs and a functioning penis; all it lacked was its own head. Although a Muslim, he was billed in sideshows as “the Happy, Healthy Hindoo”. This billing was in keeping with the racism and relative cross-cultural ignorance of the times. It’s a given that it wouldn’t fly in any arena today, expect perhaps the world of professional wrestling. At any rate, it should be known that reportage of such facts on this blog never implies endorsement of past attitudes.

In 1888, an English impresario discovered him and brought him back to exhibit in Europe. In 1891, Laloo came to the U.S. where he toured with most of the major circus sideshows, including Ringling Bros and Barnum and Bailey. In 1905, he was headed to Mexico for a tour with the Norris and Rowe Circus when he was tragically killed in a train wreck.

To find out more about the variety artspast and present, consult No Applause, Just Throw Money: The Book That Made Vaudeville Famous