Reality Bites – This time it’s magic!

Like it or not, one thing is certain: The Indian world of Magic has changed over the last three weeks. And clearly, this is only the beginning.

I am speaking of “India Magic Star” currently airing on Star One – a first for magic on Indian reality TV. Surely it is the first of many clones that will follow.

All in all, any exposure to magic on prime-time should be good for the art of legerdemain, unless it results in exposure or is so bad that people abhor it.

I have not watched all episodes (don’t blame me!), but what I saw has not left me feeling good. The magicians on the show – save one (or two) – are rather rusty and leave a lot to be desired. Plus, the initial acts performed were blatant copies of international acts.

If blatantly copying well-known acts was not bad enough, the performers unashamedly claimed these as their own creations! And if you took a magical pudin-hara to digest that lie, they claimed being the first and only ones to have performed these effects in the country!

What’s worse, the judges – erroneously referred as “master magicians” – go ga-ga and wah-wah over anything that is shown, irrespective of how it fared; even when the replay showed how the trick was done!

I remain hopeful that Franz Harare who joined the show this week brings respectability to the show. Our one chance to woo our audiences depends on the difference Franz brings to this bad show.

[This article was published in the 23 July 2010 issue of the Vismayam Magical News. Nakul Shenoy is available at nakul@nakulshenoy.com and twitter.com/Indimagi]

Wow! E-groups!!

Thiruvananthapuram: The Indian magician is becoming internet savvy. With the grace of Internet and computers fast becoming facilities inevitable, many native magicians have already become members of e-groups. A couple of e-groups borne in the IT hub of the country, Bangaluru proves to be hot places of interaction between magicians of the country.

The idea of establishing an e-group for the country’s magicians was the brainchild of young and famous mentalism performer, Nakul Shenoy. His Yahoo-group, ‘IndianMagique’ has been active since 2003 December. For the initial month it had just 14 messages going across. Currently around 150 magicians use it as an online podium for placing their views, tips and helpful information for the benefit of the magic community. Heated exchanges also occur between the members when the issue has got both says.

The group receives an average of 50-150 messages a month. “This eGroup has been set up to equip the Indian magicians with a common platform to discuss the art of legerdemain. Being a magician's eGroup, the membership is restricted to performing magicians from India”, says Mr. Shenoy. Those who are genuinely interested in the art of magic can try for a membership in this e-group by contacting nakulshenoy@gmail.com.

Another e-group in the fore is ‘TalkMagic’, conceived by star performer and manufacturer in magic, Uday Jadugar. This is a Google group that began its function since November 2009. Veterans in the field including A.K. Dutt, Cijam Jammu, Solyl Kundu* and Ramaswamy use to frequently post messages. TalkMagic statistics show that Mr. Dutt stands alltime topper posting over 500 messages. Major attraction of TalkMagic is a free exchange of tricks behind many new magic items.

If you are a magician and member of these e-groups, the time you spare online would be worthier.

[By the time the July issue of the Vismayam Magical News carrying this article was printed, Mr. Solyl Kundu was informed banned from the said e-group.]

The magic of hard work

If you want to get a clear message upheld by mythologies, you should first keep religious colours out of them. Let us listen to the story of Bhageerata a character in Hindu mythology. Bhageerata wanted river Ganga to flow down from the heaven and flow through the ashes of his brothers for the souls to attain eternal peace.

He did relentless Tapas (deep and devoted kind of meditation, sacrificing all eternal pleasure) to appease Lord Brahma – not for a day or two, but for 1000 years. No food, no rest. At last Brahma was pleased and granted his wish. But on one condition that Lord Shiva should reduce the impact of the Ganga falling to earth and avoid a catastrophe.

Lord Shiva was pleased and caught hold of Ganga on his head. But to please Lord Shiva and get the river released, poor Bhageerata had to perform one more round of arduous Tapas. At last Ganga flowed down from the head of Shiva to the lowlands. But on her way, the mischievous river gulped the Ashram of Jahnu Maharshi. Angry Maharshi swallowed the river in a single stretch!

Bhageeratha did’t lose his determination. He went for another round of tiresome Tapas to get the Maharshi cool down. At last Ganga was released through the ear of the Maharshi! The holy waters soaked the ashes of his brothers and Bhageerata stood in gratification of his earnest effort.

Let Bhageerata’s be a lesson for all of us. Only hard work and persistent practicing carve out an able magician.

[Editorial published in July 2010 issue of the Vismayam Magical News]

Let young magicians emerge

The Kerala State school youth festival is the largest one of its kind in the world. If it was a single-day event in 1956 with just 200 participants, last year it crossed the mark of 10000 participants and 7 days of events. Year after year new items are included to the competitions stages. Competitions are held in school levels first. Winners are allowed to prove their mettle in educational district levels, before being selected for the final gig in the State festival.

School youth festivals have been instrumental for many a number of youngsters to turn to the field of art and culture. This has only surfaced the inherent talents in a number of prodigies. Many new art forms have got a new lease of life owing to the simple reason that more and more children practice them with a competitive spirit.

Why can’t magic be included in the school youth festivals? Magic Academy has the strong belief that magic, if included in the school youth festivals of Kerala would bring in a new era of growth for the art of awe in the State. Of course, magic competitions cannot be held in public. But winners can surely present their premium performances in front of the public.

From school levels to the State level, competitions can be held in closed compartments. Kerala already have a huge number of experienced magicians who can judge these contests in all levels.
If there is will, there is a way. If Kerala can be a model State in accrediting magic as an art form under its Sangeet Nataka Akademi, definitely the State can set another model by including magic as a competition item in school festivals.

[Editorial published on Vismayam Magical News of April 2010]

Magical science

This is a humble acknowledgement of an unusually strong presence science has made at the beginning of the New Year. Like a typhoon, waves of science hit the minds of Thiruvananthapuram dwellers from 3rd to 7th of January. Thanks to the 97th National Science Congress that has offered a profound opportunity for paramours of science and seekers of truth, to see the magnificent faces of science that turns the 21st Century. Words of scientific luminaries including the former President, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam ike an elixir rejuvenated thousands. This writer cannot desist from recalling the ecstasy received while enjoying a blessed occasion of performing magic during the second day of this great event.

The month of January also gave the blissful celestial wonder– the lengthiest solar eclipse of the millennium. On the 15th of January it was such a captivating scene to see our darling Moon coming like a magician in black coat, trying a vanishing act upon the Sun. As this magic progressed up in the sky, summoned by the Kerala State Science and Technology Museum, eight of our child magicians were enthusiastically strolling on the lawns of Kanakakunnu Palace, entertaining a huge crowd of sky gazers.

On 12th of January, the world stood stunned at the catastrophic earthquake that transformed Haiti into a heap of dead bodies. Earthquake is one of the ugly phenomenons demanding scientific studies for precise forecasting so as to safeguard humanity. January beckons science – for learning, entertaining and salvaging humanity. Let us listen to this call.
[Editorial of January 2010 issue of the Vismayam Magical News]

Making our art speak

Art can speak. Painter, actor, dancer puppeteer make their performances speak. A magician too does this.

In this process of communication, if other theatrical performances need the spectator to be a little knowledgeable, magic doesn’t need such a prerequisite. Even an illiterate enjoys magic to the same level as a pedagogic literate does.

Magic can promulgate complex ideas and common man’s ideologies with the same degree of ease. For example, magic shows can promote intricate products of the modern world. The same magic sends a simple idea on traffic rules.

Messages when conveyed through a magic show enjoys a permanent place in the hearts of the viewers. The feel of amazement has a big power to crack open even the strongest barriers. Thus magic and its message get ample space in the hearts of the spectators.
Wonders created by a deft magician prompt the spectators to ponder again and again. They become inquisitive. As long as this inquisitiveness is there, the messages of the magic show too haunt them.

Magic shows are capable of communicating ideas beyond the language barriers. Ideas communicated during a magic performance are visual than verbal; psychological than physical and enduring than ephemeral.

Here comes the December of dazzling magic shows. Let us add some enlightening messages on the showbiz.
[Editorial of Vismayam Magical News, November 2009 issue]

Freedom to teach and to be taught

[Editorial appeared in the August number of Vismayam Magical News]

Magic grows into a flowering branch of entertainment tree with the grace of artistic talents of its performers. It sustains with the support of scientific inventions and technological growth.

From Arctic to Antarctic, magic tricks are the same. But its performers vary, their creativity differ and the supporting aspects of science vary.

When in the beginning decades of 20th century, Harlan Tarbell conducted a postal course in magic, no English magician feared of a bleak future. When Tarbell, due to a recession in 1930s released his course notes in the form of 7-volume Tarbell’s Course in Magic, nobody was shocked. Instead our predecessors in magic gladly accepted it as their Bible in magic.

If everybody learn the same trick and perform, who will enjoy? This is a common concern quite often heard in the magic circles. But there is nothing to be concerned about this.

Classroom study makes all equal. But only creativity makes us different. In short, learning magic means undertaking the responsibility of being creative. To be a magician is not a job told for idle persons. Good lot of responsibility is needed while teaching, learning and presenting magic. It is essential that to be successful, a magician needs to be agile, aspiring and inclined to learn and teach.

Hand in hand, we celebrated the 63rd Independence Day of the country only a week ago. On this occasion, let us do not forget that freedom is there, to teach and to be taught. So in magic, let us take more and give more.

Hearty Onam greetings to all!

Hospitable opportunities

Magic shows are among tourism commodities.

Hospitality trade is on a rise today. Government – both State and Central – are encouraging this part of commerce with due priority.

Hospitality is a service of composite nature. It encompasses all sorts of things that would be of interest, that can sooth the clientele. Ethnic food and tranquil place for stay or a placid lake and a posh houseboat are only pairs of commodities in the hospitality market. There is a new range of subjects that are of interest to tourists – both domestic and foreign. Among them, believe it, magic shows have a top position.

India is considered world over as an enchanting, charismatic land where one would find magic rooted deep in the society. Let us offer more magic for the visitors. It was not so long ago that the Magic Academy had launched the groundbreaking concept, ‘Magic Tourism’. Magic tourism serves contemporary as well as heritage magic shows for inquisitive guests. Ever since its launch a couple of years ago, the idea has been receiving tremendous response.

Look around, the number of new era hotels is on a rise. To excel in the market, these hotels need magicians, too. Opportunity is vast. Prepare a tailor made magic to suit the cabaret parties, luncheon meets and roof top extravaganzas.
If you haven’t yet, do acquire enough stock of close up magic to tap the bliss of this booming business. Set your own benchmark in table hopping. Then take a suitcase, pack your props and start reaping the immeasurable bounties.

[Editorial, Vismayam Magical News, January 2009]

Come indedpendence Day, let us 'labour in freedom'

Vismayam Magical News Editorial for July Issue

Freedom is a provision, but not a permission. Freedom provides us opportunity to act the needful, but does not permit us to act as we like. For Indians, this is a point to ponder now, as Independence Day of the country fast approaches. Let us conceive the word freedom in its real meaning. It is a provision to work, express and live for a better future – for us as well as the others.

It is in this sense Albert Einstein’s words prove to be an everlasting truth. “Everything that is really great and inspiring is created by the individual who can labour in freedom”, the great scientist has once told.

Let us have a retrospection. Are we using the freedom for acheiving the Einstein-model ‘really great and inspiring’ goals? Do we labour for making our art great? Time and tide never wait. Catch up with the fast receding time and work for a bright future. Seek all possibilities of realizing that ‘great and inspiring’ results.

In an independent country like India that also shines as the biggest democracy in the world, we are fortunate to be amid a sea of liberties. Let us exploit all spheres of this vast freedom, and succeed.

Magic is an art, the existence of which is decided only by the efforts exerted by its performers. With science and technology constituting its backbone, art of awe will not withstand challenges of time, unless we, magicians, ‘labour in freedom’. Turning the freedom into feats in life, be this year’s Independence Day resolution for us.

The Magical Socialism

Magic as art offers equal opportunities of growth to all its practitioners

[Editorial by Gopinath Muthukad in June 2008 issue of Vismayam Magical News]

Magic is an art of several kinds, we know. Generally, close up, conjuring, mentalism and stage shows are the categories. Sleights of hand and illusion magic (sleights on stage!) are yet another. Some even divide magic according to the props used – cards, coins, ropes or apparently bigger instruments and so on.

Classification becomes complex when it is done in terms of the effect produced: transformation, transposition, telepathy, vanishing, appearing and what not!
Have you ever noticed that even amid such a fascinating diversity, magic is an art of socialism? In magic, the trick you perform using a coin or a feat you accomplish using a huge illusion prop, leaves the same shock of amazement in the minds of the viewers. This is one aspect of that socialism.

Whatever preparations you do, how much you talk, whatever backdrops you use, to measure the value of your performance, the layman has got just one occasion: the moment when the effect emerges. Yes, nothing but only the effect prompts your spectators to certify the magic they see. If the effect fails, everything fails - the speech, the decors, the music, the costume, all turns vain.

A rich magician should not necessarily gain audience praise simply because he has invested a lot, unless he takes care of the beauty of his effects. A financially feeble magician, on the other hand, may earn more accolades simply for being so perfect with his effects. Thus magic upholds another aspect of socialism.

There was a magician, who at first used to get not the money he expected, but what the organizers decided. Undeterred, the magician invested a good part of his meager income for replenishing more cute effects. The demand increased. At last he got the ball in his court. He got that freedom to pick the most appropriate client and most legitimate fee. Remember, this is magical socialism. In magic opportunities are equal.

In magic, not the money, but your creativity makes you a prudent investor.