Specially-abled magicians cast spell with their tricks

31.10.2017
Nagpur: It was a humbling sight to see most among the audience speak to each other through sign language. From among them, most were practicing magicians who gathered on Saturday evening at Sai Sabhagruha to attend All India Deaf Magician Competition. Hosted by Bangalore-based Deaf Magicians Society of India, the event saw eleven deaf magicians from different states such as Delhi, Haryana, Chennai, Kolkata and Mumbai compete in the art of deceiving people.

The event was inaugurated by DMSI's founder Bhupatlal Pandhi, President Suresh Agarwal, patron Navneet Bharuka, Dr Girish Gandhi and other guests. Gandhi welcomed the audience and participants, and expressed pride that Pandhi hailed from Nagpur. "Deaf and dumb children can be good magicians. I am happy that Pandhi has taken this humanitarian idea to the national level. If god takes something from us, he endows us with another gift in turn," he said.

There were three rounds in the contest — stage magic, micro magic and comedy. The first to begin the event was magician Preeth Pavitran from Kerela, who expertly brought things in reality and made them disappear at the next instant. All of the acts were accompanied with apt and engaging music. Narendra Prasad from Haryana made a dramatic entry on stage and gained most cheers for lighting up a bulb with his hand. Arun Kumar Dey from Kolkata had people in splits when he extracted water from a child's ear and nose. Iliyas Mohammad Yusuf Bhagavo from Amrut, Jay Kishan from Bihar, Ravi Chandra Cheravu from Hyderabad and Raju Kammatkar from Mumbai were the other participants who cast their spell with amazing tricks on the audience.

The audience cheered the participants by waving raised hands which was a kind gesture from their end. The second phase of rounds took place on Sunday evening. This was the fourth edition of the competition, previously held in Bangalore, Delhi and Hyderabad.

From among the three rounds, Pavitran, Chandra and Kammatkar won the first, second and third prizes respectively. They were also felicitated with cash prizes of Rs 15,000, Rs 10,000 and Rs 5,000. Other participants were given a memento and a token amount. The winners will attend the 17th World Deaf Magicians Conference to be held in Cyprus next year.