Magic for a Reason :)

I had interviewed my dad, Magician Akash P.R.  for the magazine Megarth - which showcases Social leaders and Organisations, Individuals and Businesses that create exponential Social Change -  here it is:

What is your definition of passion and when did you discover that magic is your passion?

Passion means madness to me, you keep thinking about it all the time, no matter where you are, what you are doing. You are unconsciously always thinking about it and drawing connections from your normal life, daily routine to that one thing that means the most to you – your passion! I discovered my passion or rather say realized my love for magic when I was in 5^th standard (approx). Everybody has witnessed some kind of magic as a kid even if not by a professional magician. Sometimes adults try to fool kids by telling them the reason for something rational that they can understand by telling them that its magic. That was beginning when a child is not taken in by the lies adults and the society around us tries to cook up. When you are not taken in by such lies you develop rationality after knowing how things works , you are ready to use the ability to create myth and illusion on your command and use it to entertain people. That is how I discovered my passion for magic. 

Whenever you go up on stage to perform, what are your thoughts before performing?

I only think about my act, how I am going to do it. I just concentrate on my performance. My mind is clean of any other thoughts except my next act. My support staff takes care of the rest.

Magic is one passion that energizes you, but what are other hobbies or activities you are involved in that keeps you happy?

Sketching is one hobby that has been a constant part of my life along with magic. I also paint and carve, modern art being my area of interest. Humming songs in my free time also keeps me energized and going.

There might be ups and downs in the pursuit of your passion but what keeps you motivated to move forward?

When a rough/low point comes in the pursuit of your passion, you sometimes feel like giving it all up and moving ahead with your life, with a lot less tension. But then because it is your passion, and you cannot stay away from it you come back to it and start working ways out. Sometimes when an act goes wrong due to some problem in stage, props, or human fault, after getting frustrated and saddened by it you come back and try to repair, fix or reduce chances of faults happening. You can never let go off your passion.

What is your source of inspiration for magic?

All creative people who have struggled hard and made a name for themselves be it in – singing, dancing, acting or magic, etc – they all inspire me. I love reading about them and there struggle for surviving against all odds inspires me to keep going.

Magic has an entertainment value but can this be used for any other purpose like spreading a social message?

Yes surely. Magic shows can be customized to suit any social cause and spread a message through such magic shows. We also have an organization MFR – Magic for a Reason which solely works for giving magic a human touch. We wish to impart social messages and uplift the society and remove the taboo associated with magic as black magic and not as a performing art.

Please share your thoughts about the perspective towards this form of art and its future.

Magic is an art form which needs no language to convey an idea to the audience. Magic has a universal language which everybody understands and everyone wants to see. But a lot of people still believe in black magic and don’t consider it an art form. We need to work on eradicating this idea from the masses.
The future looks bright for magic and if in India it gets the much needed government support and government gives it the status of a performing art. Only then it is possible that research and development in the field of magic will happen and it would be able to regain its lost glory in India once again!

My performance at Jadu Utsav 2011!!!

Jadu Utsav which was a two day fun filled event celebrating the spirit of magic in Delhi on 10 and 11 September saw huge participation by magicians from all over India. Approximately 300 magicians were there at the magic convention. I too went with my dad, for the first time officially as a "magician" :P....and it was fun! I participated in the Senior Magic Competition and my performance was applauded by all. I won an "Appreciation Prize" for my performance (picture above). My dad, I could see, was more happier then me. :D One thing that I would love to learn from my dad is his ability to make easy functioning props but with wonderful effect. Wish i get that soon, very important in this profession! :)

Magic show at Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Hospital

The magic show at Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute & Research Center on 11th August was a fun filled event for my dad. The cute kids who were present there just made his day. The event which was in association with 'CanKids... KidsCan' -  is a family support group for children with cancer and their families. He had a nice time interacting with the kids during the show and my dad loved it the most when he called the kids on stage for assisting him. I wasn't as lucky as him, as I couldn't go with him for the show, had an asssignment in college :(  Nevertheless I feasted my eyes on the pictures clicked and sent by Pankaj with whom we were in touch with throughout the event. Thanks a lot for your sweet gesture! :)

For more pictures of the event click here.

Merlin Award Ceremony 2011

On 23rd June 2011, about 250 magicians from across the country met up in New Delhi to perform and participate in the International Merlin Awards night. The event had been organised to officially hand over the Merlin Award for the year 2011 to Gopinath Muthukad by the president of the International Magicians’ Society, Tony Hassini. Union ministers Vayalar Ravi, K.V. Thomas and Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit were also present during the handing over ceremony.

The prestigious ‘International Merlin Award’ which is considered as the ‘Oscar for the Magicians’ is presented to those magicians who are best in this profession and have proved their skills to highest level which can be achieved by few both in National and International stage. Gopinath Muthukad became the second Indian to win this award after  P.C. Sorcar junior. The awards show included a 45-minute show of “the best of Indian magic and illusion”. The magical night had been very well organised by “MAZMA-Society for Uplifting Traditional Magic and Performing Arts”. 

I was lucky enough to get my pictures clicked with both Mr. Muthukkad and Mr. Tony Hassini, in all it was a fun filled day with loads of colour, sparkle, pixie dust and of course *Magic*!! Looking forward to more such achievements by Indian Magicians in the near future!