‘Where Has Our Laughter Gone?’ Martin ‘Flubber’ D’Souza Brings International Clown Festival To Mumbai
Why would someone with a B.Sc (Physics) and an MBA in Marketing, decide to leave it and pursue Clowning as a career? That’s the question we thought of asking Martin ’Flubber’ D’Souza who while in college, was compering at weddings and birthday parties, until the day came when a client asked him if he would ‘dress’ as a clown for a circus theme party. “So thus began my career as a clown and doing…
Martin 'Flubber' D’Souza, a man with a B.Sc in Physics and an MBA in Marketing, decided to pursue clowning as a career. Initially, he compered at weddings and birthday parties while in college. A client requested him to dress as a clown for a circus-themed party, sparking his career as a clown. His passion evolved into the company, Mad Hatters, which has brought the art of clowning to various events such as theatres, schools, birthday parties, corporate events, hospitals, and communities.
D’Souza has traveled the world showcasing his skills and was once the Vice President of the World Clown Association, a part of the International Jugglers Association and the Indian Society of Magicians. He received the International Clown of the Year award in 2016.
This month and next, D’Souza will bring a diverse group of clowns from Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Spain, and India to Mumbai. The 2026 edition of the festival will focus on "The Search for Lost Laughter," as D’Souza believes that in today's digital world, people are spending more time on screens and less time truly laughing together.
He states that laughter has become a rare occasion due to the constant need for speed, competition, FOMO, and the pressure to achieve. D’Souza believes that laughter can be deeply healing, breaking down barriers and making people feel lighter, more connected, and more human.
The festival features international clowns from around the world, as well as a few Indian clowns. D’Souza hopes to establish an Indian Clown Festival or even a TLC: The Laugh Convention, which would include comedy, mime, puppetry, and other performance skills. He believes that live performances have a unique advantage as they bring people together in a shared experience, unlike reels or memes.
D’Souza emphasizes that clowning is about understanding human behavior and often features exaggerated versions of oneself rather than making fun at the expense of others.
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