Delhi magician working with Delhi Police to raise COVID-19 awareness recounts rags-to-riches tale
Rajkumar, an internationally acclaimed Delhi based Illusionist from Delhi School of Magic is at present working with the Delhi Police to spread awareness about COVID-19 and precautions to prevent it
Just hold your gaze till he returns with what vanished a minute ago. "There is no short cut to be rich nor is there a way which may fetch fame without actually working for it." Rajkumar, an internationally acclaimed Delhi based Illusionist from DSM (Delhi School of Magic) says. He begins recounting his story, which has traversed through many bumpy roads. Kumar has travelled across the world displaying his magical prowess. He has performed in more than 25 countries. His maiden show earned him rupees 10 which is his most treasured possessions.
In the eighties, struggling through a long journey of myriad emotions and various jobs, he worked hard and kept loking for some permanent job that could help him sustain. He did not know what life held in store for him. One thing that really attracted Rajkumar was magic and magicians; even street magicians and performers fascinated him. He decided that he would become a magician; and that too one of a kind. "I want to impart this art to many who need it before I sleep an eternal sleep," the Illusionist said.
When did you decide to choose magic as your career?
I was too young then. I would sit outside my house and wait for the madari (street magician) to come into our lane to perform his tricks. That was fascinating. Why not do what they do to amuse people? I resolved that I would learn magic and the rest is history.
How long have you been into this profession?
It’s been more than three decades and I have performed thousands of shows.
What kind of magician would you love to be called and why?
I deal in all kinds of magic formats. I am an Illusionist. I love playing with borrowed objects; I make them vanish and then make them reappear. People go into a trance when they see things disappear into thin air. I like floating objects through the air.
Elaborate on the art of magic; does it actually happen?
The art of magic can be categorized into Close-up, Illusion, Conjuring and Mentalism What my son Tushar does is kind of positive mind hacking. Magic happens!
How long does it take to learn magic?
It takes from three months to one year. The more you practice the better you will be at performing the art.
Is there a particular age when one can learn magic?
Well, anyone from eight to eighty years of age can learn and even perform at gatherings.
Do you sometimes feel that you should teach the poor who actually want to learn so that they can earn a small living by entertaining small-size parties?
I was flat broke when I started learning magic. Money was a big object and rupees 10 was really a big deal; my first show brought me that. In those days, barter system was quite prevalent. We would give flour and rice to the madari who performed street magic. I used to go after many of them with a desire to learn something or the other from them.
I would love to teach those poor kids who are willing but cannot afford a fee so that they can learn and earn their livelihood. I will teach them for free.
People find it weird and mistake it for black magic, is that so?
Yeah, many do. This is merely for fun and entertainment and it’s no way related to black magic or tantric (sorcery) practices. The magic of mine harms none.
Do you teach if one wants to?
Yeah, I have classes going on in East Delhi’s Cross River Mall.
How much is the fee you charge?
We have a traditional and conventional pattern of guru-shishya parampra. I have trained hundreds of them. Talking of fee, we have different fee slabs for courses starting from rupees 5000 to 20000.
How much do you charge for a show?
I charge from 25 thousand to rupees 5 lac.
Whom do you revere as your mentor and why?
Kantilal Girdhari Lal Vohra aka Lalsaab was the magician of magicians. I hold him in high regard. My mentor performed everywhere with more than 22000 shows. He with his son went about doing shows for long 32 years.
I heard that some magician from abroad made the wonder Taj Mahal at Agra vanish, what was it like?
Yeah, Franz Harary, the American Illusionist did that for the first time in the presence of a lot of magicians and a cohort of guests. He is a source of inspiration. It was nothing actually but magic.
How has your project work with Delhi Government and Delhi Police been like?
It’s been a tremendous experience working with them. Lately, I have started doing shows in association with Delhi Police. It is all about fostering awareness about COVID-19 gripping the world, among the downtrodden and migrant workers through magic shows. We talk about personal hygiene, social distancing, washing hands and sanitization, which they learn and even practise.
We recently worked with southeast district police at a shelter home in Lajpat Nagar. The response was hugely warm.
What message do you put across through your art?
We greatly emphasise on triple M: Magic, Motivation and Message. our show mainly focuses on social distancing and keeping their mouths covered. What should they do while coughing and sneezing etc. Above all, we caution them against defying the lockdown.
What Kind of struggle or hardship do you remember the most as a magician?
I had to struggle for getting married, as no one was willing to marry his daughter to a magician! They believed that the magicians had no career. (chuckles). I thought that no oasis would ever spring for me but eventually that happened.
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