Talktime | Tejas
A self-taught magician, the young Tejas is perhaps the only Indian magician who impressed the master of illusion Franz Harary with his double box trick. MEENAKSHI RAO caught up with him at a show at Kingdom of Dreams where he will wow his audience for the next three months
How and when did you start becoming a magicianIJ
At 7, I saw a documentary on magic on Discovery. I was so captivated that I recorded it and have watched it a 1000 times, even in slowmo to catch the tricks of the 8-year-old boy who was performing. As I couldn’t find a teacher, I took money from my mother on pretext of buying shoes and instead bought a magic series from Pustak Mahal. Then I performed at Rotary Club where a guest told me about a society of magicians which I joined. I competed in the national magic competition where I showed all acts in that documentary and I won!
By 2005, I became a Corporate Magician and from there took up an on-board magician’s job with USA-based Carnival Cruise lines I became so popular that they began sending me for parlour shows. From there, I graduated to stage and travelled to 19 countries before joining the Star One’s reality show India’s Magic Star. I won! Franz Harary of invited me to perform with him at Kingdom of Dreams. Since KOD is among the best in the world, I felt honoured perform with him.
Tell me about your family backgroundIJ
My father is a business man and my mother a home maker. I have two younger siblings, a sister and a brother.
You have a three-month daily show at KOD. How do you plan to execute your showsIJ
For some time, the content will be the same. But since it’s is live show, it will evolve as we go along.
Franz Harary complemented you on the Star One show. What did it mean to you and for which trickIJ
For me, Franz Harary is God. He is to the magic world what Amitabh Bachchan is to Bollywood. His compliment was real magic for me. He loved my octagonal simple box trick in which two boxes are placed at a distance. I enter one box and emerge from the other. Harary gave me 10/10 for this trick.
Who are your idols, Indian and abroadIJ
Among the Indian magicians I am inspired by P C Sorcar whose family has been performing for seven generations. I am inspired by David Copperfield, Chriss Angel and lance Burton. David Copperfield for his Flying Trick where he flies onto the stage, Chriss Angel for his levitation trick. He levitated from one building to another. Franz Harary for his Houdini act and lance Burton for his illusion and hand tricks.
Where do you see Indian magicians on the global mapIJ
In the past two years, the Indian magic world has transformed. lots of new magicians are performing as wholesome entertainers. The young crop is good looking, suave and has great stage presence. People will get inspired by them.
Which is the most difficult trick you performedIJ
Mind reading tricks and prediction of the complete show are most difficult. You need to have complete focus. .
What are the new things up your sleeveIJ
I have performed big stunts for TV but I wish to do a big show for people right in their midst, just like Houdini.
Tell us about your practise schedule.
When I am not performing I am practising, hence I am practising every moment.