Karnataka - Bellary   

Stage set for Jadugar Anand's `Mayaloka'

Staff Correspondent

He is on the verge of achieving the fourth world record by giving 27,000 performances

ABRACADABRA: A file photo of Jadugar Anand and his troupe members in action.

BELLARY: Unlike in movies, artistes come out of the silver screen and then go back. Such a strange experience can be had at Jadugar Anand's "Mayaloka" that commences at Raghava Kala Mandir here on Friday.

Along with this new item, which Mr. Anand calls "projection magic", there are many more breathtaking feats, including the vanishing/appearance of an elephant, disappearance of the Statue of Liberty in slow motion, to enthral the young and old alike for two-and-a-half hours.

Mr. Anand, who has three world records - underwater escape in 40 seconds, riding a motorcycle blindfolded covering a 200-km stretch between Indore and Bhopal in three-and-a-half hours, and telepathy covering a distance of 450 km - to his credit, says that he is on the verge of achieving the fourth by giving 27,000 performances.

Mr. Anand, who is the president of the All-India Magic Federation, told presspersons on Wednesday that his troupe besides entertaining the audience, would also exhibit its social commitment by highlighting social evils such as corruption. Citing an instance, he said riding a two-wheeler blindfolded (which will be performed by his son, Akash, was not merely to gain publicity, but to create awareness on safe driving. He said, "We perform this act with a message to the people that when a blindfolded person can drive without causing harm to himself and others, why can't those with eyes? There were no instances of visually challenged persons getting killed in road accidents. He said, "Magic as profession is interesting, but those who think it is only fun and easy to perform should think again." He attributed the success of his shows to teamwork. Sixty people would take up various responsibilities and the success of the show depended on their coordination, he said. Mr. Anand mooted the idea of setting up an academy for magicians to help the new generation to learn the art. He had been appealing to State governments to extend their support in this regard.

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