Karnataka - Mangalore   

It’s magic all the way

— Photo: R. Eswarraj

Abracadabra: Kudroli Ganesh performing a trick in Mangalore on Wednesday.

MANGALORE: It is testament to Kudroli Ganesh’s skill as a magician that when he performed at the Press Club on Wednesday, the journalists broke into spontaneous applause.

The talent of this Mangalore-based magician was further vindicated recently. At the international magic competition in Thiruvananthapuram recently, he won two of the three competitions. Mr. Ganesh was adjudged the “Best close-up magician” and “Best entertainer” at the event, which was attended by over 900 professionals . The meet was organised jointly by the Kerala Tourism Department and the Magic Academy of Kerala.

Mr. Ganesh said that he was adjudged “Best entertainer” because of an item called “Harikathe” — parts of which he displayed during the interaction. “These tricks are very simple and have been repeated often, but the allure is in the way they are presented,” he said.

The trick involved Mr. Ganesh playing the role of a priest performing some religious rituals. The set is complete with folk style music and lyrics written by the magician.

The second title “Best close-up magician” was conferred upon him based on his ability to flummox audiences from close quarters. This form of magic is also called “table-top magic” and involves simple props such as coins and cards.

However, Mr. Ganesh’s face fell slightly when he was asked bout the state of magic and magicians in the country. “If something is not done soon, magic will die out,” he lamented. He felt that magic should be promoted in the same manner as traditional performing arts such as Yakshagana, Bharatnatya and Carnatic music.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Moodbidri’s rare distinction
Coast Guard brings sailor to hospital
Venue of driving test changed
‘Coin mela’ receives good response
It’s magic all the way
Girls score over boys in St. Aloysius College exam
Homestay to open today at Pilikula Nisargadhama

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu