Illusionist | Mentalist | Humanitarian
When a trick fails the best way to handle it is to usually move on and make the whole mess up feel like it was a deliberate part of the overall act.
I'm a Magician and a Mentalist who's been learning and performing Magic from the age of 11.
2. When did you realize you wanted to become a Magician?
I used to live in California as a child and my family would often go to vegas, which is on the border of California and Nevada, to vacation. Since I was young, I obviously wasn't allowed inside casinos so I would spend a lot of time going for various Magic Shows that were going on around the city.
After a while I started practicing a bit myself and that's how I got started in the field. After a few years of performing publicly I started to consider Magic as a possible full time occupation, and my Career began to grow from that point.
3. What is the most rewarding part of being a magician?
For me its always been the immediate few seconds following the end of a trick when you can see the shock and awe on the face of the spectators. That has always made all the time spent practicing feel worthwhile.
4. How do you handle stressful situations in case things don't go the way they are planned?
When a trick fails the best way to handle it is to usually move on and make the whole mess up feel like it was a deliberate part of the overall act.
I've had instances where tricks haven't gone the way I planned but because I quickly recovered and moved on the audience felt it was a part of the act. Its all about having the confidence to convince the audience.
5. What stereotypes do people have, when they hear the word magic?
The major obstacle Illusionists and Mentalists face today, especially in India, is educating the public about the differences between what I do (Modern street magic and Mentalism, similar to what you would see from David blaine, Dynamo etc), and what traditional magicians in India have been doing for years (wearing costumes, producing pigeons etc). Both have their place, but many people are put off when they hear the word "magician" because they associate it with the costumed performers of the past.
6. Which is your favourite book and why?
Its not related to Magic in any way. It's The Godfather by Mario Puzo, I enjoyed getting to spend more time with the character of Michael Corleone and the narrative structure of the book allowed the audience to get a much better look at his gradual decent from Innocent Soldier to ruthless, yet reluctant Mob Boss.
5. What stereotypes do people have, when they hear the word magic?
The major obstacle Illusionists and Mentalists face today, especially in India, is educating the public about the differences between what I do (Modern street magic and Mentalism, similar to what you would see from David blaine, Dynamo etc), and what traditional magicians in India have been doing for years (wearing costumes, producing pigeons etc). Both have their place, but many people are put off when they hear the word "magician" because they associate it with the costumed performers of the past.
6. Which is your favourite book and why?
Its not related to Magic in any way. It's The Godfather by Mario Puzo, I enjoyed getting to spend more time with the character of Michael Corleone and the narrative structure of the book allowed the audience to get a much better look at his gradual decent from Innocent Soldier to ruthless, yet reluctant Mob Boss.
I, of course, also enjoyed the Harry Potter series and Lord of the Rings. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets used to be my favourite book as a child.
- Vivek Desai
Instagram @vivekmagic
- Interviewed by - Nishad Kinhikar
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