Prince Randian The Human Caterpillar.
Prince Randian or Prince Rardion (ca. 1871 – December 19, 1934), also known as The Snake Man, The Living Torso, The Human Caterpillar and a variety of other names was an American performer with tetra-amelia syndrome and a famous limbless sideshow performer of the early 1900s, best known for his ability to roll cigarettes with his lips. He was reportedly brought to the United States by P.T. Barnum in 1889 and was a popular carnival and circus attraction for 45 years. Prince Randian can be seen in the 1932 film Freaks.
Randian (whose birth name is unknown) was born with no arms or legs in Demerara, British Guiana. He was a Hindu and spoke Hindi, English, French, andGerman.[1] With his wife, known as Princess Sarah, he fathered four daughters and a son. He and his wife lived at 174 Water Street, Paterson, New Jersey, until his death.
For his act, Randian wore a one-piece wool garment that fit tightly over his body, giving him the appearance of a caterpillar or snake, and would move himself around the stage by wiggling his hips and shoulders. His best-known ability was rolling and lighting cigarettes using only his lips, but he was also capable of painting andwriting by holding a brush or stylus with his lips and of shaving himself by securing a razor in a wooden block. He kept all of the props and materials used in his act in a wooden box that he reportedly constructed, painted and affixed a lock to by himself.
No comments:
Post a Comment