March Masala!!

Year endings and exams…….the things I hate about March. On the other hand I usually look forward to my birthday every year.. so march is a month of mixed emotions.

A metal detector proves i hide no tools to aid the escape..

The Federation of Indian Magic Associates held their 2nd Magic Fair at the Rabindra Sadan ground from the 2nd to the 6th of the month. I was scheduled to perform my Flames and Fiber escape. At 5:30 pm on the evening of the 2nd , I stood in the centre of a circle of straw with an anticipated audience all around me…..

The challenge was to escape from the bonds of a 100 feet of rope with in 90 seconds if not the straw would be ignited adding to the challenge. Though the escape involved a lot less fire than ‘the escape from inferno’ it was none the less more challenging. Besides, I also had a tip-off that there was a chance of the stunt being sabotaged. So with a prayer in my heart and well wishes from my friends, loved ones and colleagues, I announced the escape. After a short introduction touching on the life and work of master escape artist, Harry Houdini. I asked for volunteers to bind me.

The knots get tight as the straw is doused with fuel..

A rather shrewd looking guy came up on his own and I picked another guy who seemed to be a college student. Both guys inspected the chair to which I was to be bound as well as the rope. Once they were satisfied, I sat on the chair and they began to tie me.

Captive..!

The ropes began to tighten against my chest and stomach, then between my legs and arms. I could feel the ropes getting tighter and tighter….tighter than they had ever been…..i could hear the legs of the chairs squeak and crunch as the two from the audience bound me to the piece of furniture. The back legs of the chair started to break under tension of the rope. Of the at least 200 times that I have performed this escape, I had never been bound so tightly or so intricately.

The escape begins..

I could feel my blood flow getting restricted and my hands started to turn a ghastly shade of purple. The six and a half minutes of music had run out twice…. I was being bound for over fifteen minutes. I started feeling faint as my blood circulation was practically stopped. The final knots were tightened and I thanked my two volunteers as they returned to their seats. “Stay Calm” I said to my self. I took a deep breadth and started the escape. There wasn’t an inch of slack rope anywhere. Straining my muscles, I managed to get my right hand out… I started pulling at the knots…..before I knew it, the chair broke beneath me…tying to remain in the seated position I wriggled my body to get out of the knots… in vain.

feeling 'HOT HOT HOT!'

Smokin!!

To add to my plight, my restricted blood flow had caused my body to go numb. Ninety seconds just flew by and the ring of straw was set ablaze by my assistants. I tipped over in the chair and frantically began to gather enough slack… To say the least the fire was hot…. I could feel the heat around my face and palms. I was still bound to the chair and the flames were getting higher.

Out of the flames...Struggling with the rope..

MOM!!

 I managed to stand up and jump out of the circle of fire while I was still bound to the chair… using all my strength and remaining energy I lay on my back on the ground and freed my self from the tangle of fiber that was holding me captive.



'why cant u stick to producing flowers??'said my aunt

 In relief and victory I threw the chair into the flames while the audience cheered….and mom ran into the performing area for a tight hug. Photographs and autographs for friends and fans followed as I triumphantly placed another feather in my cap.

Congratulated my Pamela ma'am, one of my
school teachers..

On the 6th, FIMA honored me and the other Kolkata magicians who were part of “India’s Magic Star” with bouquets and plaques. On the same day I performed at the event. Geometrically impossible, a new twist on the voodoo box and of course Illuminati, my light manipulation routine which I actually did as a show off to other magicians.

Geometrically Impossible..

There were no other performances lined up this month but there are a few things in the pipeline…wish me luck for that.

Ruchira....!!!!

I celebrated a quite birthday this year and was honored to receive a self-written poem from my friend and fan Ryan Viegas from Mumbai. Well here it is…without his permission… :-D

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

A birthday is the most happiest time of the YEAR

It should be celebrated with a piece of cake and a glass full of BEER,

It’s the day you get everything you ever WANTED,

A magical day when every wish is GRANTED,

I hope you have a birthday better than the BEST,

So party hard and enjoy the day to the FULLEST,

I don’t have any gift but I promise to help you in making your dreams come TRUE,

You are a good person and you deserve an awesome birthday so-

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU.

Thank you so much dude….I am really touched….





 The birthday card made by Ruchira and Rongit, my niece and nephew,
saluting my undying love for KFC....

 
God bless and I hope to see you soon. Until next time…

BELIEVE IN MAGIC!!

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February Flirts...

Twas great when I got a call from good friend and fellow magician Kruti Parekh sayin that she was in town. I picked her up and brought her over to my residence and we had a great time talking magic and catching up on old times. Kruti, Mom and myself then went to New Market and also feasted on puchkas..Kruti having Kolkata Puchkas after a decade. Another day, Kruti, our moms and I visited the magic shops and then feasted on Pizzas and ice-creams along with her dad in hobby centre. Twas really great having you here Kruti and a big thank-you for all those wonderful times in Mumbai!!

Kruti and I during the shoot of India's Magic Star

On the 3rd we had a performance at the Thakurpukur Cancer Hospital. The performance was meant for cancer affected children but unfortunately, a few moments before the performance was to begin, one of the children passed away. The wave of grief that swept over the other children and parents in the ward prevented them from coming over to the auditorium. However I performed for the other patients, doctors and nurses. I was honored to have in the audience, Dr. Sanmoy Ganguly ,who had treated me after my accident which occurred during my Escape from Inferno. After the performance, Mom and I went to the children’s ward and I performed close up magic at many bed sides and distributed goodie bags to all the children. The sight of such young children being victim to such a deadly disease brought tears to my eyes.

The next day, the 4th, we performed at a cancer awareness programme at City Centre. Organized by the Global Cancer Trust, this programme was aimed to create cancer awareness among all. Cancer, if detected at an early stage, is curable. The event was emceed by Rj Arnabi, there were plays by the doctors and their families and dance performances by Padatik and Twist n Turn.


Colors.....



The sign of Cancer appears...

I performed 2 slots. The first themed on cancer awareness where I made cigarettes disappear and then produced a hookah. Now though most think that the hookah is safe, it is actually just as dangerous as cigarettes. So after a short talk on the dangers of the hookah, I smashed the hookah on the ground to thunderous applause. I then made a crab, the sign of cancer, appear and disappear. The second slot was pure entertainment, my signature routines, streamers from the mouth, snow etc. The performance ended with the levitation of a girl from the audience.



Dr.Vikash Agarwal and I



I must congratulate Dr.Vikash Agarwal, chairman of the Global Cancer Trust for his exceptional work and devotion in the field.

The 5th saw us performing once again at Swabhumi, The heritage park, for the 9th anniversary of Bhagirati Neotia hospital. Titled ‘Babies Day Out’, the event was for all the children born over the past 9 years at the hospital. We performed to a crowd of over 5,000 people. Birds appeared, girls appeared, a doll came to life, my signature routines, geometrically impossible, the voodoo box etc. I must specially thank the emcee of the event, Pamela, who was gracious enough to be part of my show. When I approached her with the proposition to levitate her, she immediately agreed. Thanks Pam, it was really sweet of you.

This year was the best Valentine’s Day ever as I spent it doing what I love the most. We performed at Shreeram Ozone mall in Dhanbad,Jharkand. We drove 7 hours on the morning of the 14th and arrived at the venue at 2 in the afternoon. After lunch and a quick freshen up, we set up the show. After being introduced by old friend MC Vanisha, I hit the stage.

Ambika and I post the Quick-change act

Creating a poltergiest..

 It was one of the most challenging situations that I have performed in. on a small stage in the middle of the ground floor of the mall with over 4,500 people watching like hawks from all sides on the ground floor and on 4 floors above me. Besides this, there was another personal challenge, one of the Judges of India’s Magic Star had performed for the same client recently, he had been booed of the stage in 5 minutes… However I managed to sweep through my hour’s performance with ease.. The show was a huge hit. I performed my favorite effects and illusions, streamers from the mouth, snow, geometrically impossible and the levitation of a girl from the audience. We drove back that very night..very exhausted but very satisfied.



I was absolutely overjoyed when my old friend, Anna Sarkar was in town for a couple of days.. We have shared a good six years of friendship. Way back in 2005 I had cum up with an original illusion which I had called “The Pentecost”. Anna was the first girl who allowed me to set her hair on fire on stage! Her support is awesome and I must say that she is one of the few who helped shaping the Amazing David that exists today.



I launched the latest model of Hi-Tech Mobiles on the 27th at The Park Hotel. I started the launch sequence with my light manipulation routine followed by 2 of my girls appearing in a smoke filled chamber with cutouts of the phones. My streamers from the mouth routine turned out really well as I had a wonderful lady from the audience assisting. Pay, one of the special guests from china, garlanded me on stage with the streamers… I was following suite but stopped stating if I did the same, then we would be married!! We also performed Instant Magician, the volunteer was a guy called Atul. He reminded me of my friend Magician Atul from Mumbai! Snowstorm and Costume Quick-changes followed before I wrapped up the show with a favorite illusion of mine-Geometrically Impossible.



Well I apologize for this post being so late… well I have also performed an escape stunt n a few good things are in store…. All this n more next month….see you soon….Believe in magic!!!