wish I knew some trick that would make Gurgaon appreciate magic

GURGAON: He can convert a torn piece of newspaper into a Rs 500 currency note, he can cut his finger into two pieces and rejoin them within seconds, he can even zoom through the lanes of Gurgaon on a motorcycle, blindfolded.
But, despite knowing some unique tricks, magician Samrat Shankar has yet not managed to master the magic trick that will make the urban Gurgaon regain interest in an art form, which is almost on the verge of extinction in the city.
While the rural areas of Haryana are still fascinated by magic, Gurgaon seems to have no interest left for it. I think it is a bit too developed to move beyond the mall and multiplex culture and enjoy art forms like magic and theatre, said Shankar, who is presently in old Gurgaon, doing two shows every day.
The 60-year-old veteran, who was born in Haryana and later moved to Rajasthan, has won several awards and accolades for his performances in India and abroad. While people in the West have always enjoyed the Indian magic tricks, it is unfortunate that people in India now seek other forms of entertainment. The prefer watching movies like Harry Potter on the big screen and play games on the Play Station. But they have little interest in watching a live magic show, he said.
Shankar, who will be performing at Payal hall, an old movie theatre in old Gurgaon, till mid-December, laments the fact that the city does not have a proper auditorium or hall where magicians can enthrall the viewers. If we had a centrally-located auditorium in the city, perhaps more people would have come for the shows, said the magician, whose tricks have enthralled people irrespective of age, gender or class. He is, however, not daunted by the declining popularity of magic. I try to come up with newer tricks and make the show as interesting as possible. While it is mostly kids who force their parents for the shows, the adults, once they are inside the auditorium, enjoy as much as the kids do. Some of the corporate houses, too, are helping us promote magic. Last Sunday, a number of professionals from Wipro came for our show and enjoyed it immensely, said Shankar.
Talking about the magic behind these tricks, Shankar said, Magic is 75 per cent tricks and 25 per cent hypnotism. When one is watching a magic show, one enters a state of trance. We hypnotise our audience with our eyes and our voice, and they see what we want them to see. This amazes them and leaves them wondering, he said.
Shankar, who has been nominated for the prestigious Padma Shree award, said people often go to sadhus and tantriks when they are confronted with problems. But they need to understand that these so-called saints perform no miracle. They only do things that a magician can do within seconds, he said, adding, I have mastered Yog Sadhna as well, and I feel concentration is the best remedy for all problems. I have even helped people with suicidal tendencies to overcome their depression and troubles through meditation.
Shankar has now requested the Haryana government for land, where he can set up an institute for learning magic and Yoga. If more people learn it, magic will certainly regain popularity, Shankar said.
The state has sought details for the project. Hopefully, it will materialise soon, he added.