Personality Of The Week
“Magic is an IQ-based activity. It could be a good marketing tool. It is like playing multifunctional percussions. Hence, should be included in the curriculum. In the US it is very much a part of the syllabus. There could at least be two periods a week,” pleads S.A.C. Vasanth, a prominent magician of Coimbatore, who is now going places. He is now known for his show “logic illa magic” on a channel. For this 34-year-old doctorate in Foreign Trade, who worked as a college faculty for three years, it is just a hobby which has turned out to be passion. “Of course, it is my wife who triggered this passion,” confesses Vasanth, who charms one and all with his wit, humour, cascading flow of anecdotes and above all, unimpeachable candour. He admits there is nothing superhuman about it. Also dubs black magic as nothing but a myth. “Out of true magic, nothing of that sort could be done. All that we try to do is to make you believe,” he tells G. Satyamurty.
Though some of his statements look pretty simple, one needs to cogitate to realise their true meaning. For instance, he says trick and magic are separated by a wafer thin line. “As long as you don’t know the secret of the trade, it is magic. Once you know it, it becomes a trick. One step ahead of magic is illusion. I do try to create an illusion for which hypnotism is also used,” he says.
According to him, hypnotism is one wherein one willingly submits himself while mesmerism is one being done without his consent. “Even though you are conscious, you do not know that you are being mesmerised. At times we misdirect you and score,” he says.
According to him, hypnotism is one wherein one willingly submits himself while mesmerism is one being done without his consent. “Even though you are conscious, you do not know that you are being mesmerised. At times we misdirect you and score,” he says.
“The objective is not only to entertain you but also to confuse you. The audience willingly give up understanding but still remain convinced.” Even while working in a college between 1999-2003, he used to perform simple magic shows- for 30 to 45 minutes which gradually increased to 90 minutes and more. He calls them “close-up shows” and also “table hopping” in major hotels. The latter, meant to entertain the guests waiting for their food, caught up so well that a major hotel group contracted him for a substantial period and staged the same in its branches in various parts of the country.
“As my heart was not into education and this started paying me far more than my college job, my wife gave the green signal.” Magic has roots in the East - especially India and China - and the first magic was believed to have been performed in India. Being a magician does require something more than mere tricks. “I can sing. I use to compose jingles. I have given voice-over for corporates. I can speak a few languages.” A magician loses shyness, stage fear and gains confidence.
“I believe in creating concepts whereas many just stop with a few tricks. I avoid the routine boxes, flowers, special coats and also stage. Hence, I try to perform impromptu tricks with whatever is available, including on the TV,” he says. “Though some of the internationally reputed tricks like the ‘rope trick’ are from India, which is even now considered a mystery abroad, Indian magicians fail to shine because of poor updation. Indian magicians are not successful as their counterparts abroad because many of them lack understanding of personality development, body language and thinking ahead of the audience. You are a real time chess player all the way. Above all, once you start doing this for money without love for it, it is not a wise decision,” he says.
Mr. Vasanth stresses the need for good teachers. It is possible to have an academy for magic. It is very difficult to learn with just the books in the market. The International Brotherhood of Magicians bring out monthly magazines and DVDs to help the youngsters. Abroad, magic is choreographed. It is accepted as an entertainment and the governments extend all help and even subsidy.
And some of the top names like David Copperfield, Lance Burton and Rick Thomas have their own theatres. One of them had a sponsor for 75 continuous days. Hence, money was not a problem. However, in India not even the status of ‘entertainment’ is yet to be accorded to ‘magic” by the government. While animals and pets and pyrotechnique tools of the magicians are provided safe and comfortable passage in the US, “I was not allowed to carry even my birds in India.”
“No magician has ever received any award from the Government in India and there has hardly been any sponsor. No attempt has ever been made to promote this at all. The major problem lies with the local magicians themselves. If you can perform quality shows, it will definitely help gain recognition, support and sponsor,” he concludes.
