Abracadabra! Abracadabra …and you can see the smiling young girl suspended - on the tip of a sword! This and other incredible feats can be performed by you too if you have the 'magical touch' that Nagendra Prasad has. The city's well known Magician Nagendra Prasad of AIMC television fame has been entertaining audience all over India for over three decades.

Bangalorebest.com spoke to this enterprising gentleman on his 'magical career'. Excerpts of the interview:

The magical beginning…
"I was born with 'magic', just like my father. My father, the late Dr. Panduranga Rao, was a doctor, but because of his personal interest in the art of magic, he used to perform pretty often. I imbibed his keen interest in the art and learnt it from him, besides reading books on the subjects. I studied Homeopathy, but today, even after 40 years, I am a practicing Magician and that is my profession. I eat, drink and breathe magic!"

What is magic all about?
"Magic is an art combined with science. A magician must give complete entertainment to his audience. Mass hypnotism is used in magic. It is just a way to misdirect, cause an illusion, a manipulation of the audience's mind, which is applied in any magic. A 'trick' is like a tool, but its application, the facial expressions, the presentation should be perfect and neat. It is the psychological state of a person's mind, which a Magician always manipulates."

A good magician needs to have….
" a sense of humor. You also need to know your audience well, arrange for perfect lighting on stage, the proper stage set-up. It is important to attract the crowd with your expressions, actions, clothing, looks, timely talking, managing and overcoming short comings at the nick of time, while performing."

Magic as a career…
"Depends on a person's luck and popularity. Many a time, people with very basic talent in the field also click and do very well because people prefer them."

Is the art dying?
"No, in fact this art has taken a re-birth now. Magic is at its peak today! Children love to watch a magic show even today. TV, computers and films have been distracting them, but they all know these performances are a fake; whereas, a magic show is done live in front of them and their participation is also welcome. It is not a made up thing like the movies."

Your inspiration….
"My father, the late Dr Panduranga Rao, has been my inspiration to date. I give 100% entertainment to my audience. Today, life has become so mechanical that people have forgotten how to smile. That is the driving force behind my magical acts! I also want to do something for the earthquake relief fund and it is my open appeal to the people to come forward and cooperate with me regarding this."

Training…
"I run a magic school called Chethana Lalitha Kala Nikethana in Wilson Garden where I train people interested in this art. I also hold summer camps for kids every year."

Can these feats get dangerous sometime?
"Yes, certain feats can get dangerous if not practiced properly, as complete mastery over a couple of them is very necessary. Feats like cutting a person, making a person lie on the tip of a sword and many more need thorough practice. A magician should never reveal the secrets of the art because then the art loses its appeal and dies. A magician uses all his intelligence while performing and he can do anything if he makes up his mind. Remember, yesterday's magic is today's science and today's magic is tomorrow's science!"

Do you also want to be a magician and awe people? Then contact Nagendra Prasad at:

Address: No 66/8, BTS Road,
12th Cross, Wilson Garden,
Bangalore-560 030.
Phone: 2223 6921
Fax: 2229 0066

Aditi Kumar

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