Jadugar Anand: Magicians Need Government Help

Indian Magician Jadugar Anand is in the news once again. The New India Press has coverage of his most recent set of shows in Shimoga.

In addition to the magic he's successfully brought to thousands in and out of India, Mr. Anand hopes to bring attention to the plight of magicians within the country.

Mr. Anand told reporters, "India stands at ninth place in the world ranking in Magic! Yet, the government had not given any recognition to this art. Magic too is an art. But, Government has not identified and encouraged it, as done to music, dance or drama."

Mr. Anand is the president of the All India Association of Magicians. His organization boasts 16,000 members and yet believes its numbers have not been properly recognized by the Indian government.

"Only thing government had done for us is it has reduced the entertainment tax, We do not have extraordinary demands. Give same facilities to us as given to other arts," Mr. Anand said.

Faithful readers of Quinlan's Inside Magic will recall Mr. Anand's efforts in the past few years to not only bring Magic to the Government's attention but to improve society's view of Magic as a profession.

Mr. Anand observed, "There is a invisible screen between society and magic. No parent will allow his or her children to pursue a career in magic."

The trade association is in the process of starting their Academy of Magic at Jaipur and if the Indian Government will provide assistance, they hope to build a second Academy in Bangalore.

How bad is it for magicians in India?

Mr. Anand told the New India Press he has seen "many magicians who died of hunger."

The All India Association provides medical and other support to members to help combat this life-and-death struggle.

Mr. Anand pointed to France's use of Rober Houdin's skills to arrest an impending revolution in Algeria. His message: it worked for France because they appreciated the power of the art form and encouraged its development. Magician Anand has a post-graduate degree in English and his son received his MBA and still performs with the show.

Thus far, Mr. Anand has put on about 450 shows in Kamataka plus another 2,000 shows in Southern India. He intends to continue his push for Government support for Magic and magicians as he continues his tour.

Magic News India Jadugar Anand

Mr. Anand is the Fastest Magician on the Planet

Anyone can make an elephant disappear quickly, but how many can make it appear in a matter of seconds.

He makes the Statue of Liberty disappear in slow motion, a trick performed for the first time in India.

His world of illusion has been hailed by audiences and critics alike as one of the greatest magic shows of Asia, which is not merely performing tricks but creating miracles beyond your wildest imaginations.

One can watch in awe as the Jadugar cuts a girl in half using high speed electric saw blade. Pigeons fly out of seemingly empty baskets, a dog goes into a box and out emerges a girl.

Jadugar Anand's set of new tricks include passing through a rotating fan mounted on a table, girl balancing on a bamboo pole. He even brings an elephant onto the stage, much to the amusement of children.

Girls floating and vanishing in mid air, birds appearing from his fingertips and many more breath taking illusions are what Anand offers.



Appropriately the first question dealt with the state of Magic in India today.


Viju: What is the present status of magic in India?

Anand: It's indeed sad that there are no many takers for magic, which has still to be accepted as an art, rather than a mere entertaining profession. Between the two performing art forms held high globally are the Russian Circus and Indian Magic. But the younger generation has to be motivated to take up magic.

Viju: As the All-India Magic Federation national president you have been in the forefront in the campaign to set up an academy for magic. Why and how far have you progressed?

Anand: There is a need to form an academy for magicians, as this will help those from the new generations to learn the art. People should know more about this art as it could help get rid of many superstitions that exist in society.

Every year, around 1,000 people get killed in our country because of misconceptions and superstitions related to black magic. The formation of an academy will help people have a clearer idea about magic and also encourage youngsters to learn the art.

The ground is ready for the formation of an academy in Jaipur and setting up an academy in Bangalore is also on cards.



Mr. Anand believes Magicians are neglected in India and need to be encouraged by the government . He commends the Government of Karnataka for not imposing entertainment tax on magic shows.

"However, government policies have not been encouraging and we don't even have an academy to teach the art to our future generations."

If there is anyone who can help bolster Magic's place in India, it is Mr. Anand. It may not be done in the blink of an eye, but it will happen if Mr. Anand is involved.

Jadugar Anand A magician par excellence

In the age of non-stop music and entertainment, Anand Avasthi casts a spell of 9,000 seconds of illusion
AN ELEPHANT vanishes at the wink of an eyelid and a snake turns a charming damsel in a split second... that is Jadugar Anand's Mayalok. A magician par excellence, Anand has a trick up his sleeve for every second one spends in his world of illusions.
In the days of TV soap operas, here comes a refreshing wholesome family entertainer, that too, at an unmatched speed. A veteran of 26,000 shows, Anand provides the right mix of music, magic, dance and drama with the perfect blend of stage craft to keep the audience glued to their seats during the two-and-a-half hours of magic show that promises to entertain people of Guntur during the week at Sri Venkateswara Vignan Mandiram.
Introducing himself to the audience in the most magical way, Anand appears on the stage from nowhere to put himself in the `Book of Magic' that unfolds page by page. An embroidered impressive flowing cloak with typical turban with a heavy coat of make-up on the face provides the mysterious look that captivates attention.
World record holder in under-water escaping within 40 seconds, Anand believes in providing the nava rasa with a technical edge to provide a touch of modernity. Beginning the show with the usual tricks like building a castle of playing cards, producing a garland from thin air to honour the chief guest of the show and converting a magic wand into a bouquet of flowers, he went on to perform the more difficult vanishing acts.
Converting a beautiful girl into a beast, a snake into a girl and back as a snake in full public gaze kept people guessing. Variations in vanishing acts, dramatising them keeps the audience interest intact in the magic show. Use of film clippings and laser beams enhances the quality of the magic show when compared to similar ones a decade ago.
Social messages like fighting corruption were effectively driven home with a trick or two spliced into a narrative story. The background commentary was dubbed in Telugu topically changing the scenes to suit the local political condition and social practices. No show is complete without audience interaction and Anand invited the District Collector, K. Ramakrishna Rao's son Siddharth on to the dais to perform a few hilarious tricks to keep the interest of the young visitors intact.
For the three boys, who boldly came on to the dais, a photograph each with Jadugar Anand came as a bonus to proudly show to their friends at the school.
To keep the Doubting Thomas at bay a visitor, Sekhar Reddy, was chosen from the audience to watch the vanishing trick on Anand's assistant. By convincing the representative of the spectators, Anand had won the hearts of all.
Bringing a real elephant on to the dais was an elephantine task for his staff, but vanishing it was a cakewalk for the magician. Out of Anand's Mayalok, he was the talk of the town from schools to offices.

Blindfold Ride Follow-up By Magician Akash

Now about my Blindfold Ride which happened on 2nd April, 2007. Well, the Blindfolded ride went rather well, one of the most comfortable I had in a long time. It lasted one and a half hour! But I was so lost in it that I realised it only when it was about to get over. Anyways, it started in a funny manner where all the Guests who were to be garlanded, decided to garland me instead with my garlands only. I find this system odd and funny because I never feel myself fit to be garlanded. I am a shy person when it comes to acknowledging my feats. Of course, I have to get interviewed by papers and channels, but i don't really feel anything special when i see my face in papers or TV. I just feel it is one of my duties to interact with these people who let people know what's happening and why. They are very nice people but most Indians are crazy about appearing on any media. Somehow, I lack that craze in me. But like I mentioned in my profile, I DIG live performances. It could even be a decent singer singing a song for me. It gives me goosebumps to witness such artistic talents right in front of my eyes. Maybe that's one reason i don't watch much TV or movies. I find them not-so-real. They have options of editing and using all kind of technology. But live performances are so real! Nothing is made-up about them. Same for this blindfold ride.

The media support we got for the ride was beyond my expectations. to be precise, 16 satellite channels covered it, three-fourths of them from North India. All newspapers in Hyderabad covered it, as did others in Karnataka and West Bengal too. Reuters, UNI and PTI were there, and many papers chose to select this news from them. Impressive coverage it was, even more than what we got in Chennai.

Before the ride, a band of Medical Adhesive Tape was stuck to my eyes, then a block of cardboard, cotton pad, thick layer of wheat flour cake, then a roll of cloth band which went around my head for four times, then a satin-lined hood which covered my full head, then a Black band on top of it, mentioning JADUGAR ANAND on it. The bike was a Hero-Honda Karizma( a very stable bike,I feel). Two ambulances followed me everywhere I went. Ahead of me, four vehicles full of Media people and their cameras were wrestling to get the best shots. So I often snaked my way amongst them to let each of them have good views. I also often shot ahead of everyone in the coterie so that they KNOW that I am not dependent on any signals from them for my feat. People get really creative when trying to guess a magic-trick. When three-fourths of the ride was over, one the guys came from somewhere and put a helmet on top of my face. Just read the list of things already on my eyes and face again. On top of that, He just thrusted a helmet! He said some channels had called up to tell that Traffic police is planning to fine me on the next junction for not using a helmet. I can't begin to tell how it felt with that helmet stuck so tightly to my head! But I felt as if my talents were being challenged( a situation I love to meet!), so I decided to play it their way. I drove the rest of the way with that helmet. This helmet incidence was more stranger than the Chennai one(a channel reporter was courageous enough to decide to sit on the pillion while my ride was on). That Chennai girl was brave and she really enjoyed the ride. Most people would pay me NOT to sit behind me during this ride. But she was a logical and firm girl. But this helmet story was crazy!

Most strange things happen while I ask permission to do this feat(from the police). In Goa, the concerned officer didn't even let me enter his office and started to throw me out till I insisted that he let me speak my part of the story. then I showed him the TV clips and written permissions from Police Commissioners of Chennai and other major cities. I also explained to him that I am not suicidal. I am a magician who knows what he's doing! After all this, he decided to help me out. In Bangalore, police permitted us one day before the event, but cancelled it at the last minute! It's a different matter that their cancellation was covered so extensively in Media that even the Ride itself wouldn't have got. Chennai police was so worried about it that they waited and watched. Only when my 60 kms ride got safely done, did they give a written permission ( after two days!!!:-) )!

I would want to point out one difference between others and people of Hyderabad(even the whole of Andhra Pradesh). The difference is that people here are EXTREMELY courteous and polite. They really helped me out on the roads during the ride. They cleared as much of the roads for me as they possibly could when they saw me coming. Some have been so concerned about me that they were screaming on every turn - "Akashji, left turn now!" or "Akashji, right turn now!" Maybe that's the reason I have so many friends in Andhra Pradesh and Telegu is the only South Indian language I know so much about. Vishakhapatnam is certainly one of my favourite places. People here are truly wonderful. I remember many instances when I have asked my way to some part of Hyderabad and people have left their own tasks and piloted me all the way to my destination, just for politeness sake. I don't think any other place in India(or elsewhere) can claim such outstanding hospitality.

Hyderabad is awfully hot these days. When I finally arrived the end of the ride, I was soaked in sweat, but submerged in appreciation for these wonderful people of Hyderabad. They welcomed me majestically on my arrival back. Some coverages of the same:

I guess after seeing these newspaper coverages, some of you must be wondering why police hinders this guy's performance when his motive is to create traffic awareness. Well..........join the club!! I wonder too!!! In every of my interviews,I stress heavily on Road safety and Traffic Rules. Indian Road conditions are as good as many Third World countries in my view. I just want to help the police department educate people. I talk of importance of Traffic Rules, Seat Belts, Helmets, not using mobiles on roads, not smoking on the roads, concentrating while driving, not assuming helmet as total protection, and so on. I wonder why I am not seen as an ally to this monsterous problem of Traffic in India. I hope someone will see the point soon!
Love
Akash

Jadugar Anand A magician par excellence

In the age of non-stop music and entertainment, Anand Avasthi casts a spell of 9,000 seconds of illusion
AN ELEPHANT vanishes at the wink of an eyelid and a snake turns a charming damsel in a split second... that is Jadugar Anand's Mayalok. A magician par excellence, Anand has a trick up his sleeve for every second one spends in his world of illusions.
In the days of TV soap operas, here comes a refreshing wholesome family entertainer, that too, at an unmatched speed. A veteran of 26,000 shows, Anand provides the right mix of music, magic, dance and drama with the perfect blend of stage craft to keep the audience glued to their seats during the two-and-a-half hours of magic show that promises to entertain people of Guntur during the week at Sri Venkateswara Vignan Mandiram.
Introducing himself to the audience in the most magical way, Anand appears on the stage from nowhere to put himself in the `Book of Magic' that unfolds page by page. An embroidered impressive flowing cloak with typical turban with a heavy coat of make-up on the face provides the mysterious look that captivates attention.
World record holder in under-water escaping within 40 seconds, Anand believes in providing the nava rasa with a technical edge to provide a touch of modernity. Beginning the show with the usual tricks like building a castle of playing cards, producing a garland from thin air to honour the chief guest of the show and converting a magic wand into a bouquet of flowers, he went on to perform the more difficult vanishing acts.
Converting a beautiful girl into a beast, a snake into a girl and back as a snake in full public gaze kept people guessing. Variations in vanishing acts, dramatising them keeps the audience interest intact in the magic show. Use of film clippings and laser beams enhances the quality of the magic show when compared to similar ones a decade ago.
Social messages like fighting corruption were effectively driven home with a trick or two spliced into a narrative story. The background commentary was dubbed in Telugu topically changing the scenes to suit the local political condition and social practices. No show is complete without audience interaction and Anand invited the District Collector, K. Ramakrishna Rao's son Siddharth on to the dais to perform a few hilarious tricks to keep the interest of the young visitors intact.
For the three boys, who boldly came on to the dais, a photograph each with Jadugar Anand came as a bonus to proudly show to their friends at the school.
To keep the Doubting Thomas at bay a visitor, Sekhar Reddy, was chosen from the audience to watch the vanishing trick on Anand's assistant. By convincing the representative of the spectators, Anand had won the hearts of all.
Bringing a real elephant on to the dais was an elephantine task for his staff, but vanishing it was a cakewalk for the magician. Out of Anand's Mayalok, he was the talk of the town from schools to offices.

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Blindfold Ride Follow-up By Magician Akash

Now about my Blindfold Ride which happened on 2nd April, 2007. Well, the Blindfolded ride went rather well, one of the most comfortable I had in a long time. It lasted one and a half hour! But I was so lost in it that I realised it only when it was about to get over. Anyways, it started in a funny manner where all the Guests who were to be garlanded, decided to garland me instead with my garlands only. I find this system odd and funny because I never feel myself fit to be garlanded. I am a shy person when it comes to acknowledging my feats. Of course, I have to get interviewed by papers and channels, but i don't really feel anything special when i see my face in papers or TV. I just feel it is one of my duties to interact with these people who let people know what's happening and why. They are very nice people but most Indians are crazy about appearing on any media. Somehow, I lack that craze in me. But like I mentioned in my profile, I DIG live performances. It could even be a decent singer singing a song for me. It gives me goosebumps to witness such artistic talents right in front of my eyes. Maybe that's one reason i don't watch much TV or movies. I find them not-so-real. They have options of editing and using all kind of technology. But live performances are so real! Nothing is made-up about them. Same for this blindfold ride.

The media support we got for the ride was beyond my expectations. to be precise, 16 satellite channels covered it, three-fourths of them from North India. All newspapers in Hyderabad covered it, as did others in Karnataka and West Bengal too. Reuters, UNI and PTI were there, and many papers chose to select this news from them. Impressive coverage it was, even more than what we got in Chennai.

Before the ride, a band of Medical Adhesive Tape was stuck to my eyes, then a block of cardboard, cotton pad, thick layer of wheat flour cake, then a roll of cloth band which went around my head for four times, then a satin-lined hood which covered my full head, then a Black band on top of it, mentioning JADUGAR ANAND on it. The bike was a Hero-Honda Karizma( a very stable bike,I feel). Two ambulances followed me everywhere I went. Ahead of me, four vehicles full of Media people and their cameras were wrestling to get the best shots. So I often snaked my way amongst them to let each of them have good views. I also often shot ahead of everyone in the coterie so that they KNOW that I am not dependent on any signals from them for my feat. People get really creative when trying to guess a magic-trick. When three-fourths of the ride was over, one the guys came from somewhere and put a helmet on top of my face. Just read the list of things already on my eyes and face again. On top of that, He just thrusted a helmet! He said some channels had called up to tell that Traffic police is planning to fine me on the next junction for not using a helmet. I can't begin to tell how it felt with that helmet stuck so tightly to my head! But I felt as if my talents were being challenged( a situation I love to meet!), so I decided to play it their way. I drove the rest of the way with that helmet. This helmet incidence was more stranger than the Chennai one(a channel reporter was courageous enough to decide to sit on the pillion while my ride was on). That Chennai girl was brave and she really enjoyed the ride. Most people would pay me NOT to sit behind me during this ride. But she was a logical and firm girl. But this helmet story was crazy!

Most strange things happen while I ask permission to do this feat(from the police). In Goa, the concerned officer didn't even let me enter his office and started to throw me out till I insisted that he let me speak my part of the story. then I showed him the TV clips and written permissions from Police Commissioners of Chennai and other major cities. I also explained to him that I am not suicidal. I am a magician who knows what he's doing! After all this, he decided to help me out. In Bangalore, police permitted us one day before the event, but cancelled it at the last minute! It's a different matter that their cancellation was covered so extensively in Media that even the Ride itself wouldn't have got. Chennai police was so worried about it that they waited and watched. Only when my 60 kms ride got safely done, did they give a written permission ( after two days!!!:-) )!

I would want to point out one difference between others and people of Hyderabad(even the whole of Andhra Pradesh). The difference is that people here are EXTREMELY courteous and polite. They really helped me out on the roads during the ride. They cleared as much of the roads for me as they possibly could when they saw me coming. Some have been so concerned about me that they were screaming on every turn - "Akashji, left turn now!" or "Akashji, right turn now!" Maybe that's the reason I have so many friends in Andhra Pradesh and Telegu is the only South Indian language I know so much about. Vishakhapatnam is certainly one of my favourite places. People here are truly wonderful. I remember many instances when I have asked my way to some part of Hyderabad and people have left their own tasks and piloted me all the way to my destination, just for politeness sake. I don't think any other place in India(or elsewhere) can claim such outstanding hospitality.

Hyderabad is awfully hot these days. When I finally arrived the end of the ride, I was soaked in sweat, but submerged in appreciation for these wonderful people of Hyderabad. They welcomed me majestically on my arrival back. Some coverages of the same:

I guess after seeing these newspaper coverages, some of you must be wondering why police hinders this guy's performance when his motive is to create traffic awareness. Well..........join the club!! I wonder too!!! In every of my interviews,I stress heavily on Road safety and Traffic Rules. Indian Road conditions are as good as many Third World countries in my view. I just want to help the police department educate people. I talk of importance of Traffic Rules, Seat Belts, Helmets, not using mobiles on roads, not smoking on the roads, concentrating while driving, not assuming helmet as total protection, and so on. I wonder why I am not seen as an ally to this monsterous problem of Traffic in India. I hope someone will see the point soon!
Love
Akash

A TALK WITH KING OF JADU- JADUGAR ANAND

We've featured the Indian magician Mr. Anand in the past for his skill as a performer and ability to generate interest in his show and magic in general.
Daijiworld took considerable time and care with their feature on this great magician from India. Plus it has a great hook: Mr. Anand is the Fastest Magician on the Planet.
Anyone can make an elephant disappear quickly, but how many can make it appear in a matter of seconds. He makes the Statue of Liberty disappear in slow motion, a trick performed for the first time in India.
His world of illusion has been hailed by audiences and critics alike as one of the greatest magic shows of Asia, which is not merely performing tricks but creating miracles beyond your wildest imaginations.
One can watch in awe as the Jadugar cuts a girl in half using high speed electric saw blade. Pigeons fly out of seemingly empty baskets, a dog goes into a box and out emerges a girl.
Jadugar Anand's set of new tricks include passing through a rotating fan mounted on a table, girl balancing on a bamboo pole. He even brings an elephant onto the stage, much to the amusement of children.
Girls floating and vanishing in mid air, birds appearing from his fingertips and many more breath taking illusions are what Anand offers.
Appropriately the first question dealt with the state of Magic in India today.Viju: What is the present status of magic in India?
Anand: It's indeed sad that there are no many takers for magic, which has still to be accepted as an art, rather than a mere entertaining profession. Between the two performing art forms held high globally are the Russian Circus and Indian Magic. But the younger generation has to be motivated to take up magic.
Viju: As the All-India Magic Federation national president you have been in the forefront in the campaign to set up an academy for magic. Why and how far have you progressed?
Anand: There is a need to form an academy for magicians, as this will help those from the new generations to learn the art. People should know more about this art as it could help get rid of many superstitions that exist in society.
Every year, around 1,000 people get killed in our country because of misconceptions and superstitions related to black magic. The formation of an academy will help people have a clearer idea about magic and also encourage youngsters to learn the art.
The ground is ready for the formation of an academy in Jaipur and setting up an academy in Bangalore is also on cards.
Mr. Anand believes Magicians are neglected in India and need to be encouraged by the government . He commends the Government of Karnataka for not imposing entertainment tax on magic shows.
"However, government policies have not been encouraging and we don't even have an academy to teach the art to our future generations."
If there is anyone who can help bolster Magic's place in India, it is Mr. Anand. It may not be done in the blink of an eye, but it will happen if Mr. Anand is involved.

Interview with Anand Jadugar

Indian Magician Jadugar Anand is in the news once again. The New India Press has coverage of his most recent set of shows in Shimoga.
In addition to the magic he's successfully brought to thousands in and out of India, Mr. Anand hopes to bring attention to the plight of magicians within the country.
Mr. Anand told reporters, "India stands at ninth place in the world ranking in Magic! Yet, the government had not given any recognition to this art. Magic too is an art. But, Government has not identified and encouraged it, as done to music, dance or drama."
Mr. Anand is the president of the All India Association of Magicians. His organization boasts 16,000 members and yet believes its numbers have not been properly recognized by the Indian government.
"Only thing government had done for us is it has reduced the entertainment tax, We do not have extraordinary demands. Give same facilities to us as given to other arts," Mr. Anand said.
Faithful readers of Quinlan's Inside Magic will recall Mr. Anand's efforts in the past few years to not only bring Magic to the Government's attention but to improve society's view of Magic as a profession.
Mr. Anand observed, "There is a invisible screen between society and magic. No parent will allow his or her children to pursue a career in magic."
The trade association is in the process of starting their Academy of Magic at Jaipur and if the Indian Government will provide assistance, they hope to build a second Academy in Bangalore.
How bad is it for magicians in India?
Mr. Anand told the New India Press he has seen "many magicians who died of hunger."
The All India Association provides medical and other support to members to help combat this life-and-death struggle.
Mr. Anand pointed to France's use of Rober Houdin's skills to arrest an impending revolution in Algeria. His message: it worked for France because they appreciated the power of the art form and encouraged its development. Magician Anand has a post-graduate degree in English and his son received his MBA and still performs with the show.
Thus far, Mr. Anand has put on about 450 shows in Kamataka plus another 2,000 shows in Southern India. He intends to continue his push for Government support for Magic and magicians as he continues his tour.