Does magic with mind
Alex
Alexander, popularly known as Alex, is an actor and a renowned magician with two Guinness Book of World Records under his belt. He is the first person to perform 24-hour non-stop magic in India. He did 3,442 items. In one of them, he made an elephant and a car disappear. He walked on water and cut a woman in two. Levitation was also part of the act.
Incidentally, he has bagged the Best Villain Award for 2001 announced by the Tamil Nadu Government recently. That is not all. Alex holds another record — for being a mind reader or `mentalist.' He claims that he can read a person's mind and make the person do what he wants. Excerpts from an interview with S. R. Ashok Kumar.
What is mentalism?
Mentalism means I can read your mind. In the words of the great Appadurai, mental magic or mentalism is a special technique to peep into one's mind. The mentalist reads your mind and can also control it through mental suggestions, which you obey without protests.
It is similar to telepathy, thought transference, crystal-gazing, etc. . Appadurai was the event director of the show, which was a success in all respects.
Ismind reading also a part of the magic act?
Yes, but not in its entirety. So I decided to have a special show.
Why did you want a special show?
The Guinness people also asked the same question. I told them that after having one Guinness Book of World Record, I wanted to specialise in a particular department. So I took up mind reading and have created two Guinness records. I also have the Limca Book of Records in my kitty.
The brain is supreme in man. So where does the mind come in?
It is the mind which dictates the brain's action. That is where the mind reader comes in... It has been proved in my show. I performed from 9 a.m. to 9.30 p.m.
The senior editor of Limca Book of Records, Ms. Arthy Muthanna Singh, who not only watched the show but also took part in it was thrilled by every item I did. After the show, she asked me whether I could do all of it again, another time. I told her tha if she was willing to stay and see it, I was ready to do it.
She signed the provisional certificate right there on the stage. I heard that the Limca people do not give away certificate like that on the stage.
How many people watched the show?
Thousands watched the show. Those who came in the morning did not leave the venue till the end.
Are you happy with the two Guinness records?
I am. I want the Government Of India and the State Government to recognise us. I am proud to be an Indian and a Tamil.
The Tamil Nadu Government has given you the Best Villain Award for 2001 for the film, "Mitta Mirasu."...
Yes. I thank the Chief Minister for choosing me for the award. Both acting and magic are important for me and I will strive to accomplish more.
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