AN INDIAN STRONG MAN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume L, Issue 175, 25 October 1917, Page 2

AN INDIAN STRONG MAN

An Indian Hercules," Rama Marte Naidu, performs . feats of strength that are a marvel. On* of his most sensational tests is to permit an elephant to step on his body. He lies • flat ,oq his back on a thick mattress, -with his head resting on a pillow. A strip of flannel is tightly bandaged about his body, and a . handkerchief tied ( over, his forehead. A cushion is placed on his chest, and a wide 'plank is .laid across it. When he gives the an elephant is ' led by its driver to the plank, and made to walk across it. Though the elephant weighs about four tons, yet Rama Marte Naidu gets up- immediately the animal has walked over him and smilingly bows to the audience,. none the worse for his experience.- ; He generally performs this feat twice- a. day, and -has been doirig ( it for -many" years. Just before the elephant walks over the strong man's body, he permits a 12-hprse power motor car to run over him. He lies with his iace to the ground. A- curved wooden block is fasteneu.' down with spikes. The ' wheel ot th e i'jdes up this block and i passes over his shoulder without hurting I him in the least. Another feat is -to allow two - transport waggons, loaded : to their utmost capacity with boys and men from the audience, to pass over his body. The wheels of one go. over his thighs and those of the other go over -his -chest. Another favourite method by which Rama-Marte Naidu exhibits his ability to bear .weight, a fraction of which would crush an. ordinary person, is to have a huge block of stone weighing a ton and a half, placed unon his body. Sometimes he 'lets half a dozen heavy men, or a; horse and rider, stand on the stone.as it rests on. him. Tn another feat he stops two. 12-horse power motor cars that.are being driven at full pressure in opposite directions. Long . ropes .'"with leather.;, loops at 'the end are tied to the.jback. of each car. He thrusts his- arms .through the loops, and r the cars oanript.. move an inch- as long as he chooses to.;hold them back. His age is about 35 years, and from boyhood he has had the desire to develop his physique, which originally was not robust. He is a strict veo-etarian, and does not even eat eggs- His meals are extremely simple, . consisting of rice, lentils,, vegetables .and nuts. 'He is very fond of puddings, rich with butter or cream, and can. : eat quantities of honey and sugar.' ..;>•.>