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Thank you Blogadda for picking this post!
“Watch the masked magician as he reveals the best kept secrets of magic on the AXN show, ‘Breaking the Magician’s code’” announced an ad in a newspaper, which immediately caught my attention! Amazing illusions of levitation, slicing a person into two parts with a powerful saw, penetration through tough walls, assistants locked and tied up in metal cages vanishing - all in front of our very eyes, had been always fascinating us since our childhood days. “How did he do it?”, was always a question on the minds of people in the audience.
While watching the 'Masked Magician', who was later found to be the well-known Val Valentino, on AXN Channel’s Thursday night show at 10 pm, “Breaking the Magician’s Code – Magic’s Biggest Secrets finally revealed”, one was shocked to see how the skillful masked performer, after presenting several conjuring acts, quickly followed them up with the revelations about the props used, hidden assistants, secret trap-doors, misleading gestures to divert attention, specially designed chairs and tables, that had actually helped deceive the viewers into the amazing effect adeptly handled by the performers. What was unknown to the audience for several years was unfolding right before them on their TV screens! ‘Oh, such a simple thing, after all – how couldn’t I guess that?’, an instant would come to one’s mind.
As *POOF* - the charm of the trick just vanished!
Being part of the Indian magicians’ fraternity since my school days, yours truly had fiercely guarded these secrets for a singular cause – to maintain the charm of these intriguing, enthralling acts which had regaled the audiences and kept them guessing. “Oh, how does he do it?”; “Does he hyponotize us?”; Surely there’s something hidden up his sleeve, isn’t there?” “There’s something special with the wand in his hand, isn’t it?” When asked, I had only one answer –
“It’s magic!”
Raja the Magician performing an act
Being the younger brother of Rajaram Mavinkurve, better known as ‘Raja the Magician’, a popular children entertainer in the ‘80s and ‘90s, I had the privilege to assist him at stage shows and birthday parties. So did I not follow into his footsteps and perform the acts myself? Well, no! While he was adept at his sleight of hands and deceitful ways, my sloppy fingers and slipshod ways were a threat to the entire trade, much before the betrayal of the masked magician. Having learnt this in private performances at home, my brother was convinced about one thing: Before the arrival of the masked magician, the best way to tell the world how it is all done was really to ask me to perform!
Raja the Magician performing an act
The magicians' fraternity was a close-knit one and guarding secrets was a major avowed principle being strictly followed. Naturally, my public performance was out of question. That left me with a limited opportunity to help out by setting the table before the show and ensuring that curious kids don’t rampage the magical stuff, until it was packed up and carried away for the next show. Several friends and kids would coax us to let them know the secrets to these mystifying acts, but to no avail. The only reply would be:
“Hey, It’s magic!”
Rajaram was also good at networking amongst magicians and entertainers all over India (and abroad too). He took active part in the Society of Indian Magicians and was also the President of the organisation for several years. This involved organizing get-togethers, picnics, competitions and such other activities. Sensing my resolve and interest in the subject, one had no difficulty to gain entry into these esoteric events of magicians, hailing from all over India, in which the secrets of acts were discussed, improvements, innovations and new tricks were actually being demonstrated and taking shape.
After his sudden early demise in 1998, due to a massive heart atttack, (he was 45 years of age), my connections with these wonderful performing artists were lost, barring a few who would call up and keep in touch. So I called up some of them recently and wanted to know their take on the on-screen exposes by the “recent” show. I was informed that the Val Valentino had begun exposing these in the US as early as 1998 and was continuing to do so even until 2008, all for the lure of money.
It was amazing, I thought – several Indian magicians were battling to keep their trade from slipping into bankruptcy but hadn’t fallen for the lure to expose the secrets, thereby letting down their own brethren and here is a guy from the western world who is doing it and raking in the moolah! So what was the reaction of the magicians, one wanted to know?
“Well, good performers continue to do well”, I was told. “Most of the folks know that we are only entertaining and want everyone including kids to enjoy themselves. There’s competition from other performers too, but the challenges are being met by being innovative, introducing some new tricks. And moreover newer kids keep coming into this world!”, he said reassuringly. So, they aren’t vanishing any time soon! I heaved a sigh of relief for my good old friends!
