Nakul in the public sphere

Daily Tweets...

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 18:30:53 GMT

13:16 @rafialikhan Oh wow! Look who's posting updates! ;-) #
13:19 @nishitd Missed you at #BRTFF! Was hoped to catch up in person :-) #
13:20 @dhempe @rajasen If you guys do make any plans, do let me know. Will try my best to join in. #
13:22 @kashaziz So, it was actually a fake video / spam forward? Or is that the way they want to see it? #
13:27 @RajaSen If you are anywhere near MG then you can drop into the Bangalore branch of Strands in Manipal Center. #
13:28 @kashaziz Oh! If that's the accepted truth, then it's really a good piece of news... :-) #
13:31 @nishitd Did they look like they want to win the test, or happy to have already won the series? :-) #
13:33 @Saurabh Oh! If you are sure on all that being done, then possibly you can get to some work? :-) #
13:40 @ThePaulDaniels Very many happy returns of the day, Paul. Have a magical one. Best wishes to you and Debbie. #
13:42 @nishitd Aah! Yes, theirs good zeal and zest among them... Yesterday too there was a light-hearted "punching" moment between MDD & YS... :-) #
15:24 @dhempe Something's wrong with that link... the content area on the page shows an error... #
15:52 @mannu Good to know. Just pass it over for "a review" when you are done... :-) #
16:14 @RajaSen I am in Banashankari 3rd Block. Just let me know where... and I'll try my very best :-) #
16:34 @dhempe Sure! Koramangala should work fine for me, if I am able to join you all. Let know by sms as decided! @RajaSen @nishitd @peegeekay #
18:22 @RajaSen Sure thing! @dhempe @peegeekay @nishitd Just let me know where in Koramangala, and I'll meet you all there... :-) #
18:34 @dhempe Perfect! See ya there :-) #
18:59 Rajnath Singh visits Varun Gandhi in prison; says BJP will not remain silent on this issue! So what have they been doing? #indiavotes09 #
19:14 All we hear from BJP on Varun is loud talk and promises! If they had to act, they would have. They must mean to make him an election issue! #
19:18 @santoshp Just wait for the flight to land... And everybody will get up, and stand with their luggage as if they are getting off a train! :) #
19:28 @daaku Isn't that what it stands for - Help! Search! Rescue! ;-) #
19:30 @shwetank If you have local-issued passport it is really quick - mostly within 3 days, in some cases up to a week. #
20:37 @daaku Good for you; Hope you do find what you are looking for. If you get further lost or need help there, @rafialikhan lives right there. #
22:46 @dhirajbhandary You think we should tell Atanu? RT @nimbupani: Finally, you can get rid of your hotmail accounts for good! is.gd/pi9v #
22:56 Meeting up with @dhempe @peegeekay @rajasen @daaku @ashwin was loads of fun :-) #
23:06 Heh! RT @inthing: "if electricity is due to electrons, is morality due to morons ??" ... I said WTF. #

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Tweet!

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 07:53:46 GMT

I always thought that blogging was the thing for me, as I normally like to write longer thoughtful (and sometimes thoughtless) pieces. But having pushed it as much as I could, I set up a twitter account a couple of months back; December 3rd to be exact.

And here I am now fully hooked on. So if you are on twitter too, you can follow me at http://twitter.com/nakulshenoy

Another instance of the sender, message & receiver remaining the same... the transmitter is what seems to matter nowadays!

LEARN MAGIC -- The Two-Day Workshop in the Art of Magic

Fri, 23 Jan 2009 08:07:58 GMT

BANGALORE: Are you one of those who has been fascinated by magic? Have you ever toyed with the idea of being a magician? Have you ever tried learning magic tricks ? Have you ever felt the need to have a hobby that could entertain your close ones?

If you answered YES to any of the above, then The Magic Space in Bangalore has the perfect answer for you! The Magic Space is launching a new Learn Magic course, in the ever-popular two-day workshop format.

To be conducted on February 28 and March 01, 2009 at The Magic Space premise on Girinagar 50 feet road, this learn magic workshop has been put together with the professional and corporate employees in mind, and will provide them with the know-how, training, and the essential tools to take up the art of magic as a hobby.

Magic has been known to entertain all ages. It has been known to be used by doctors and other professionals as a hobby both for their own enjoyment and also to entertain those around them.

The Learn Magic workshop will apprise the attendees with the basic history and theory of magic, and familiarise them with the various genres of magic. Over a highly-packed two day session, accomplished and well-known magicians would enable and equip the participants to perform magic and entertain their friends and acquaintances.

This basic course will provide the fundamentals of magical entertainment, and pave the perfect path for the participants to take up a more active interest in the art of magic. Along with sharing the theory and workings of the magical craft, this workshop also aims at improving one's presentation and public-speaking skills, which are so integral to the art of magical entertainment.

To know more details about LEARN MAGIC -- The Two-Day Workshop, visit www.themagicspace.net or email workshops [at] themagicspace.net or call 9900 970 099.

The damage is never collateral when it's personal...

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 10:03:08 GMT

When I said January 18th 2009 would be the one and only time Beyond Magic would play as a full-evening show, this is not quite what I meant. But the way things have transpired since, I may never want to try anything similar.

Planned and pitched as a world premier the show had all that it needed - the hype, the media blitz, even two very unique acts. I also had some very dear friends making it to the event at the last minute, and making it that much more unique and special.

Special thanks are in accord to Dhiraj and Ganesh with the way they handled the backstage, and helped me with many last minute preparations. Vishakha helped in every way to try and organise the pass distribution and ticket sales, while Umesh was at his inimitable best with the kind of irrepressible publicity material he created for the show.

Giri was a pillar of strength and am utmost fortunate to have him as a friend, for he took care of everything that was needed to get the show up and running. Special thanks to Pravin Godkhindi, Aruna, Navneeth, Divya, Rafi, Prahlad, Sharath, Suhas, Niranjan, Deeksha, Guru, and Raghu, for all the wonderful moral support they extended to make the show a grand success.

Special thanks are in accord to Yashwanth Sirdeshpande for his immense support with media publicity. Thanks also to Siddharth and the folks at MSN India for a wonderful hype created around the event, and Aparna at Reliance Retail for immense support accorded via Reliance TimeOut.

The show was well-attended, although we did not quite make it a full-house. I did a decent job (as always, it could have been better!) and played well to the august crowd that had gathered at the Chowdaiah. It was a fun evening and was well liked by the people that made it.

Just when everything was going perfect, and a fairy-tale dream was turning into reality, I had to blow it all off. Perhaps it was the tiredness of a 90-minute solo show or perhaps it was just utmost foolishness, the reason just does not matter anymore.

What does is among one celebration, I managed to kill at least three good friendships, possibly more. One moment of unminded callousness on my side, and I lost the trust and faith of the people who had stood by my side and had been providing me with every kind of support. I have hurt them enough to have lost all their trust.

At this point of no return, I can only think I did not deserve their faith, trust, and love. Truly, nobody who hurts his close friends in this manner can ever hope to have good friendships. And I guess I am no different.

I can only remain sorry, and wonder: Perhaps there really is something called a coincidence, where a series of incidents conspire together against you.

@ Girish, Aruna, Ajith, Divya, Sandeep, and Vidya: I thank you for making it to the show and contributing to its success in your individual ways. I remain extremely apologetic and sorry for what I made you feel afterwards.

Beyond Magic set to enthrall at the Chowdaiah Memorial Hall, Bangalore

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 07:44:28 GMT

I hope you allow a little of the usual self-indulgence and self-promotion in my blog. Would be great if you would be kind enough to forward this information to your friends and contacts, and help boost the ticket sales.

Thanks!

Nakul

Win free tickets to the Beyond Magic show this Sunday!!

A special staging of the unique psychic entertainment show: Beyond Magic - An Intimate Evening of Psychic Phenomena -- is being held at the Chowdaiah Memorial Hall, Bangalore on Sunday the 18th of January 2009.

Nakul Shenoy and his Beyond Magic have been wowing corporate audiences worldwide in exclusive and prestigious events for over five years. This mystical show has been featuring as the mainstay entertainment at corporate events, seminars, conferences, product launches, et al. and has entertained the likes of Apple, Microsoft, Wipro, Infosys, GE, HSBC Bank, ICICI Bank, Samsung Electronics, Microland, APC, PAN-IIT, et al.

This is the first time that the highly successful show steps into the world of public mainstream entertainment, and Nakul Shenoy's Beyond Magic is expected to take the city and the country by storm, as psychic entertainment makes its foray into the Indian entertainment catalogue.

Being hosted as a full-evening theatre entertainment show at the prestigious Chowdaiah Memorial Hall, the Beyond Magic show is being hosted as an exclusive invitee-only event. Very few tickets are being sold to this world premiere event via Reliance TimeOut (on Cunningham Street, Bangalore) and www.buzzintown.com

To win free tickets to the event, visit: www.msnindia.com/magic

In The News:

Nakul's Magic to Bedazzle Bangalore -- RadioIdli.net (January 09, 2009)
Meet the Mind Bender - Bangalore Mirror (January 11, 2009)
Magic of the Mind -- Deccan Herald (January 13, 2009)
Beyond Magic: Mangalorean Nakul Shenoy to Read the Minds of Bangaloreans -- DaijiWorld.com (January 13, 2009)
Nakul Shenoy to present 'Beyond Magic' -- Mangalorean.com (January 13, 2009)
Nakul Shenoy's Beyond Magic: Call it Psychic Entertainment -- BuzzinTown.com (January 14, 2009)
ಜನವರಿ 18ರಂದು ನಕುಲ್ ಶೆಣೈ ಜಾದೂ ಪ್ರದರ್ಶನ -- ThatsKannada.com (January 16, 2009)
He knows what you're thinking -- The Hindu (January 18, 2009)

Why can't the media think? Don't they have a brain?

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 12:02:21 GMT

Despite repeated requests from the NSG and the Army personnel to refrain from showing the live footage of the anti-terrorist operations at Mumbai, the media is playing out a farce and continuing to show sensitive live footage of the operations.

I was just watching the NDTV guys play out a live act (yes, I choose to call it an act) where they were ostensibly deciding whether showing the footage was jeopardising the operation or not. Then Srinivasan Jain decided to give a live commentary of what was happening as they were requested not to broadcast live footage.

At one point he said, "I think the terrorists inside already know they are being attacked by grenade launchers. So we can now talk about it".

Why can't these otherwise intelligent journalists understand that any information they are sharing could be sensitive to the operation, and in terms jeopardising the lives of the brave soldiers who are fighting the terrorists on our soil.

Even as I type this newscaster Vikram asked Srinivasan Jain to get the camera closed in on his face, so that no sensitive information was going to be shown.

Barely 10 seconds later there was a loud sound. And the camera immediately panned and tilted and zoomed to the window that was targetted by the security forces! And then Srinivasan was right there asking the cameraperson to zoom right in to show the window being damaged, and then asking to zoom out a little for a better view! Perhaps in the excitement he forgot what he was saying a second back?

After a brief silence he is now back saying "thoda sa left mein zoom kare". The bloody morons (excuse me, but I think this expletive is well deserved) are showing the exact windows and floors and wings that are being attacked.

Whatever happened to media restraint? Whatever happened to Media Ethics?

The adrenaline took over! Ethics is only for the textbooks?

For a brief moment there was news that the news media was blocked out in Mumbai. While this was a good move, what prevents these terrorists from getting their information from accomplices outside of Mumbai?

I am totally for a total ban on any and all live footage (visual/audio) being telecast during the operation. I would go to the extent of saying that the media should be held responsible for the deaths of the security personnel whose operations may have indeed been compromised due to the live streaming of the footage, especially the paramilitary forces dropping in to the building, and the NSG moving in for the operations.

Many of these so-called journalist I had held in high esteem in the past. Not anymore. I am today as of this moment totally ashamed of the media behaviour.

I am close to being ashamed of being associated with the craft of journalism.

PS: And in the meantime Mr Srinivasan Jain continues to amaze me by "not showing operational details"!

Jaago India! It's time to unite and save the Motherland...

Thu, 27 Nov 2008 08:41:06 GMT

For a brief moment I had the following as my GTalk status message:
Wanted! For the Indian Government: A backbone and a soul...

Then a close friend pointed out with understandable anguish that the members of the police, fire, and security forces were also the government; the various brave people from the public administration who were involved in solving the latest terror crisis were also the government.

Trying to make a case that my reference was to the ruling party (forming the government) was a battle lost even before it could be started. And understandably so.

So let me try a different approach.

This recent spate of at least 10 different terrorist strikes all across the country in the last one year is slowly but surely poking holes in the internal security set-up of the country. Many questions are being raised to the Indian government which seems to have failed to undertake effective measures to check terrorism on Indian soil.

Among others, the Deccan Mujahideen -- virtually an unheard of organisation until a few months back -- is surely ruling the roost in terms of carrying mass and large-scale terror attacks across the Indian Nation. Or at least being quick and first to claiming the credit for most of these inhuman and evil highly coordinated attacks.

That the top three police officials - who were consistently a pain to the terrorist and criminal organisations - were killed in the initial part of the attacks, points to the intensity with which the terror operations were planned. A news report communicated the shock of the police force when their top officials were martyred, with a sub-inspector recounted the incident amidst shock and sobs.

Checking up with family, friends and acquaintances in Mumbai, brought to light many who had a close call during the terror attack, but had been decidedly fortunate than the hundred dead and two hundred injured. While the legendary resolve of the Mumbaikars came through in their statements, the uncertainty caused by the grim situation also crept through in their statements.

"All well and safe. So far."

"Indeed it's horrific! I'm in Pune and praying for the people of Mumbai."

"Horrendous situation. Still quite chaotic."

"Everything's fine here. At home today. Truly terrifying."

"Was out when the open firing happened. We actually heard the firing and saw police vans everywhere. But luckily we managed to find a cab home immediately. We are safe now."

"We are alive and well, for the time being. And will remain so if Patil permits."

"Situation is very bad out here. We are fine."

In a day or two the media and the rest of us will be talking and heralding the resolve of the Mumbaikars, who will not let anything stop them. But seriously, taking nothing away from their iron-strong resolve, what can a Mumbaikar do? For that matter what can anybody do?

Terror attacks or not, the people (read "the common man") do have to return to work, to continue earning their livelihoods, to carry on whatever it is that they do daily in their lives.

This is a fact of life for most, if not all, of us!

At this moment, I can't help but think to how any other city would cope with such a tragedy. Given the sad state of affairs with regard to the security infrastructure, I can only fear a mayhem.

As the questions that need to be brought up are being raised on the inaction of the Home Minister on the myriad terror attacks, which seem to be continuing unchecked, we also need to remember to pay our gratitude to the numerous under-paid under-equipped under-appreciated security forces who are fighting a daily battle to save our souls.

I do hope the politicians at the helm of the country pull their acts together, better today than tomorrow. For once they can stop bringing in politics into everything.

This is not a time to talk of political ideologies, nor of bringing in religion, nor of breaking the country and its people into castes and sub-castes, and playing vote-bank politics.

This is a time for the Raj Thackerays and Narendra Modis and Omar Abdullahs and Rahul Gandhis of the country to come together to fight for and save our Motherland.

This moment of terror, grief and tragedy is as right a time as any for all Indians to come together as one and resolve to do everything in our power and beyond to fight the enemy that is increasingly affecting our daily lives.

Whose side are you on, Media? Or are you really that foolish?!

Thu, 27 Nov 2008 05:48:42 GMT

I salute the brave martyrs of my motherland who laid down their lives fighting for the freedom and security of the people of India.

I salute the brave policemen and soldiers who are, even as I write this, exchanging fire with the terrorists holed up in some of the top hotels in Mumbai.

I salute the brave firemen who were busy fighting the flames atop the Hotel Taj -- even as the security forces and the terrorists exchanged bullets!

I salute the resolve of the brave Mumbaikars who will continue to lead their lives against all odds.

True. The terrorists attacked Mumbai.
True, that they targeted some of the hippest hotels in the commercial and cultural capital of the country.
True, that their primary targets seemed to be foreigners staying in there.
True also, that their primary target seemed to be the top three police men who were on a war against terror and terrorists.

Having said that, this has to be seen as an attack on India and Indian-ism. This is an attack on democracy, an attack on freedom, an attack on the people of India.

The Terrorists may seem to have won a battle here, as they mauled down the top three anti-terrorist cops, and also most of the morale of the police force.

But it is a truism and a certainty that the NSG Commandoes, the ATS, the RAF, and the other security and police personnel will win over the situation, and give a fitting reply to whosoever dared attack my country and its countrymen.

Among all this, I can't help but raise a pertinent question: What the heck on earth was the Television Media thinking as they broadcast their up-to-the-bullet LIVE telecast of what was happening at the Taj and the Oberoi hotels?

I sat up in front of my idiot box in the morning shaking my head in disbelief, and wanting to wake up from a terrible dream, as I heard the Times Now newscasters describe every single move that the police and security forces were making and not making!

I could not believe that any journalist could be so foolish (yes, I said foolish) and so moronic (I am not sure that's even a word, but I think it should be!) that he or she was following the actions and plans of the security forces on camera, broadcasting it in realtime and also giving words to what was happening in detail!

"The police are trying to storm the hotel from this door at the back of the nearby building, which has a connection into the hotel"

"You can see the security forces on this balcony of the second floor of the building, getting ready to attack the terrorists"
(Oh!! Did I miss to use the "alleged" word? I don't care!)

"The snipers are now stationed here (with live video footage, of course!) are are trying to get a clear shot of the terrorists from the window"

Did this information and realtime news and imagery help me in any way at all?
No. It did not.

Did this LIVE news footage help any body who was watching this from the safety of their rooms?
No. I think not.

So who did this news best benefit, if any at all?
Yes! You guessed it!

The terrorists who were inside the hotel, keeping a close eye on their hostages (who I sincerely hope are alive and unharmed)! All the terrorists need do is switch on the TV... and watch every plan of attack that the security forces come up with on TV... Live and Realtime!

Tell me my media friends: Are you as dumb as that? Really? Or have we reached a date and time when the viewership and TV ratings have gone on to count above everything else? Even National security!

Think again, Media! Whose side are you on? Or are you really that foolish?

Radio Idli features Harish Pai!

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 05:23:39 GMT

A couple of months back I entertained at a private event in Dubai and sharing the stage with me for the second time in that many events was Harish Pai (as was Sangeetha Mallya, who I have mentioned in the past).

A semi-finalist in the Sa Re Ga Ma Pa World Series TV special, Harish is hugely popular with the Konkanis living in the UAE, and is a regualr feature of most Amchi events there. And why not? Harish has a wonderfully melodious voice and creates wonder with his renditions of popular film and folk numbers.

I am happy to see and hear Harish's karaoke rendition of Kehna Hai now posted at RadioIdli.net.

I hope you like what you hear. I do.

Nakul

Set a Guinness World Record! Download Firefox 3.0

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 08:22:24 GMT

Spread Firefox announces that we can be part of a new Guinness World Record by getting the Firefox 3 during Download Day to help set the record for most software downloads in 24 hours!

For more details and to pledge your download, see Spread Firefox

Sangeeta Mallya featured in Radio Idli

Fri, 30 May 2008 07:42:29 GMT

Sangeeta Mallya's karaoke rendition of dil mein tujhe bithaake from the film Fakira has been posted at Radio Idli.

A winner at the Mega-Finals of the Zee TV-produced TV Series Antakshari (held in Goa in 1998), Sangeeta is now based in Dubai with her husband Dr Sandeep Mallya.

I have in the past enjoyed the good fortune to listen to Sangeeta in person, and thank Radio Idli for bringing back those lovely memories, and of course for promoting Sangeeta's special talent.

Do go over to Radio Idli and listen in to Sangeeta's soul-stirring rendition.

Nakul

Bangalore to have a Magic Space...

Fri, 23 May 2008 03:42:16 GMT

After months of dedicated effort, The Magic Space is finally ready, and all set to be launched. This Sunday (May 25) will see Bangalore have The Magic Space, when it is inaugurated at 10AM.

With The Magic Space, Bangalore & of course India potentially have a hotspot for magicians from all over India & the world to drop in to -- to meet and discuss the nuances of the art of misdirection.

I congratulate my friend Giridhar Kamath for fulfilling my and many a magician's dream of having a perfect place to get together, and discuss magic. Thanks Giri -- for ONLY you could have done this. I wish you all the success with this latest venture.

More details on what's expected on May 25 and thereafter can be read at my Magical Musings blog.

I welcome you to The Magic Space ...where spells are cast!

Nakul

When journalists goof-up...

Thu, 15 May 2008 09:48:11 GMT

Can you spot any difference in these articles on Manick Sorcar?

Another Sorcar makes award-winning magic -- By Suman Guha Mozumder, India Abroad

Another Sorcar makes award-winning magic -- Suman Guha Mozumder, India Abroad

Perhaps looking at the P C Sorcar family-tree explains why some things are missing in the "reproduction" on Manick Sorcar's website?!

:-)

The Jana Gana Mana Controversy...

Fri, 09 May 2008 03:50:27 GMT

A friend forwarded me the following email with the words "What say?":

This is interesting......

"Jana Gana Mana" - Just a thought for the National Anthem! How well do you know about it?

I have always wondered who is the "adhinayak" and "bharat bhagya vidhata", whose praise we are singing.. I thought might be Motherland India ! Our current National Anthem "Jana Gana Mana" is sung throughout the country. [SNIP!]

OKAY! You know what follows! This email forward has been doing rounds for quite a bit now, and keeps cropping up in our inbox every once in a while...

So I thought I would just re-post what I wrote on the Jana Gana Mana controversy way back in November 2004:
Of Songs, Anthem, and controversies...

I hope it will catch the attention of some of my friends who missed it earlier, and give them a thought before they encourage this misinformation campaign with another forward!

Nakul

Meeting K Lal -- The doyen on Indian Magic

Wed, 07 May 2008 06:08:19 GMT

Being a member of the Jury for the magical competitions at Vismayam 2008 was challenging and fun, but even that could not compare with the utmost joy gained from meeting the doyen of Indian Magic - Magician K Lal from Gujarat.

It indeed was a very special moment when the nonagenarian came visiting The Magic Space stall at Vismayam 2008, and said good things about the products that were on display and sale there.

Hearing appreciative words from Master Magician K Lal about my Essential Card Magic Kit for professional and amateur close-up entertainers was surely the best part of the four day convention for me. Not to mention, entertaining the legend was an enthralling experience that will stay with me all my life.

K Lal ji -- I have to say -- is the one of the most humble and encouraging people I have met, especially in the Magic fraternity.

Kudos to the grand old man of Indian Magic, who is billed as The World's Greatest Magician for his shows the worldover!

Please Note:
K Lal is currently performing in Chennai with his son K Lal Jr. Catch the show if you can!

Bangalore has The Magic Space...

Tue, 06 May 2008 08:34:28 GMT

My friend Giridhar Kamath (of The Magic Shop, Bangalore) is all set to launch a new and revolutionary magic store called The Magic Space in Bangalore.

Unlike the other few stores we have in the country dealing with magical props, The Magic Space is set to be *the place* for magicians from all over the state and country to meet up to discuss the nuances of the art:

The Magic Space, Bangalore</span> is the perfect place for magicians to get together for a tete-a-tete, to exchange ideas, to read magic magazines and books, or just for a cup of tea/coffee; a next generation Magic Shop where you can catch up with magician friends – old and new.

If just that was not enough, you can also experience and buy all kinds of high-quality magical wares here: from the oldest to the latest product in the world market, from the best in genre to your all-time-favourite item.

My recent conversations with some of the top magicians in the country also shows that the excitement is catching. Magician M Yona, Mega Magic Star Kudroli Ganesh, Cardician Shekhar, Indian Houdini Prahlad Acharya, and many more expressed their keenness in holding lectures and presentations at The Magic Space, Bangalore.

Nothing surprising in there, given that Giri has always been giving that extra importance to the quality of the magic apparatus manufactured by him.

And that's enough to get anybody about the new launch and the upcoming activities. Including me!

I wish Giri and his Magic Space all the magical success it deserves, and more...

A Land of Magic called India…

Tue, 06 May 2008 08:20:31 GMT

Yes! I chose to start with the most clichéd title there is! And here’s why.

India since time immemorial has had Maya (illusion) and Indrajal (Magic) deeply entrenched in its folklore, myth and legends. India has been known as the Land of Magic and Mystery right from the days of the very first foreign traveler stepping on to the Indian shores. Various mystical and paranormal occurrences have found a mention in many anecdotes, biographies, and other writings.

Having said that, Indian Magic—by that I mean, itinerant and traditional Indian Magic—has had quite a harrowed and troubled status. During the colonization of India, many a western magician and ‘investigator’ that came to India in search of its elusive mysteries, went on to write anecdotes and books that were nothing more than exposures to the methods of the Indian itinerant magician. Read any of these accounts, and you are left with a rather dubious view of the traditional magician.

For some reason, Indian magic has never been projected as a skill or an art in these accounts, and always looked on as a pseudo-practice of black-magic or skullduggery. In other words, a practice befitting exposure to show it the way it is, to demean it even. Even the legendary trick (that arguably never was) is best known as The Indian Rope ‘Trick’.

No wonder then that the itinerant magic shows have remained shunned by the public, and continue to be looked on with fear and trepidation. Today, the itinerant magician performs only in the streets and nukkads of secondary towns and villages, and has almost been reduced to being a social outcast in his own land.

Indian Magic is in many ways the purest form of magic owing to the simplicity and everyday nature of the props used; in that sense almost prop-less. Mostly in the Bizarre genre, Indian magic deals with decapitations, snakes, scorpions, mediums, readings, not to forget fully-surrounded levitations, vanishes, productions.

Watching the itinerant magician at work is a treat to the eye, especially for magicians, as each performance is nothing short of a seminar in the nuances of misdirection, perfect usage of logic and storytelling.

I consider myself most fortunate to have been able to watch the irrepressible performance of Sri Samjunath Vadi, who at the young age of 83, mesmerized magicians and laypersons alike with his inimitable productions of scorpions and snakes. Truly a master magician, Sri Vadi who after stripping himself to prove nothing hidden on his bare body, transforms a brick to a serpent in less than a blink of the eye!

I have been lucky enough to see this act at least three times, and truly have no idea how he does what he does. Nor would I like to know, for this act to me is the best example of the Real Magic that India, the land of Magic & Mystery has been renowned for.

If you doubt my word, I invite you to witness a live performance of an itinerant magician, and dare you NOT to enjoy it.

PS: This article originally appeared in the Convention Souvenir for Vismayam 2008 - The International Magician's Convention held at Trivandrum between May 1-4, 2008.

PPS: An earlier article on Indian Itinerant Magicians can be found at Mesmerising Indian Magic...

Bangaluru stylu travellingu...

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 08:11:22 GMT

Returning to Bangalore on Sunday evening we encountered this rather interesting (and adventurous?) mode of public transportation!

These photos were taken at the Nelamangala Traffic Signal, where the traffic policeman seemed not to notice this blatant violation of traffic and safety laws.

If that was not enough, look at the first photo closely, to notice that the registration plate is BLANK! No license plates!

Step in to Mickey's World of Magic

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 13:21:29 GMT

Disney Magic Show is playing at the Koramangala Indoor Stadium at Bangalore, and true to its name teleports us to the magical world of Walt Disney.

This two-hour show brings our way a delightful show hosted by two human magicians - Benny and Brad, and brings us many magical moments through Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck and of course, the irrepressible Goofy.

Mickey, Benny, and Brad all take turns at performing some excellent illusions, designed by Jim Steinmeyer. Being a Disney show, the production is rich and classy, further strengthened by an interactive presentation.

Truly a children's show, adults will also relive their childhood as various cartoon characters make an appearance, in the fairy tale inspired acts. Transported to Alice's Wonderland, we meet Alice, Mad Hatter, and the Rabbit. Cinderella, Belle, Jasmine, Snow White, and the Fairy Godmother come by to make an appearance too!

Based on the Saturday evening show I was a spectator to, I would rate it a 4.0 out of 5 on entertainment, 0.5 less owing to bad audio amplification. The experience of what was essentially a highly interactive and entertaining show was reduced due to the problems of clear amplification.

To rate it purely on a magic front, I would rate it at 3.5 out of 5. While a couple of illusions like the double levitation were brilliant, the rest were pretty much run of the mill.

All in all a good show to watch, at least for the entertainment is provides, to the child in each of us. A must watch, once.

Nakul

Umesh Shebe presents his first solo painting exhibition: Pratibimb

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 06:19:46 GMT

Umesh Shebe (a close friend of mine) is hosting his first solo painting exhibition Pratibimb: Reflectionsof Life... on the 1st and 2nd of February, 2008 at the Alliance Francaise, Bangalore. Pratibimb: Reflections of Life will feature Umesh's collective work of drawings, sketches, abstract paintings and modern art.

Today's Deccan Herald (January 17, 2008) carries an article on Page 1 of Metro Life:

For more information regarding Umesh Shebe and Pratibimb: Reflections of Life... please do visit www.ushebe.com

Do pitch in and help spread the word about Umesh's painting exhibition. Most importantly, do drop in at the Alliance Francaise on that Friday and Saturday (Feb 1 and 2, 2008).

Hope to see you there!

Nakul

Why do we "connect"...? (a question)

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 06:38:25 GMT

(Fair warning: The following post is rather philosophical, and may appear a tad diatribical to some.)

I have often been interested about relativity of time and space -- albeit of a philosophical nature. And this would not come as a surprise to anybody who has interacted with me for a while.

There have been many a instance--in this life--where the mind has acted in what could be described as queer, or picking up from Dr Richard Wiseman's recent book - Quirky. The mind seems to lose all sense of time (duration) and space (distance) with certain people, with who you feel a special connection; In catching up with a hitherto unknown person for what is definitely a very short point in time, you get the feeling that you have known them for ages... for some eons of time.

I have been lucky to experience this feeling on more than a handful of occasions -- the result being I have this bunch of very close and trusted people in my life, each meeting with who only adds a couple of lifetimes of closeness! Each of these individuals that I now have in my life, hold a distinctive and inseparable position in that; Sharing a connection that is special, mystical and almost nearly inexplicable.

These are the people one could say with hindsight - "we just connected". And therein lies my question (possibly, rhetorical in nature).

What is it that really brings each of us on this common plane of understanding? What is it that brings this special set of individuals so near and dear to one, after just one or two meetings, letters, mails, chats, or telephonic conversations?

I have and continue to speak about "coincidences" and their role in life, on destiny per se. But as I look within and analyse the people around me - the company of who makes me what I am - I cannot help but think and ask: Is this all a mere coincidence? I can't help but borrow a couple of thoughts from Richard Bach and James Redfield, and ask: Is there really anything called coincidence? Why does everything in life seem to have a plot - an agenda even?

There have been occasions where I tried to find answers to these questions, analysing a moment that befriended one or deconstructing a chance meeting that made somebody an inseparable part of life as I know it. The large number of shabby theories and repudiated hypotheses are a witness that an answer is not anywhere in sight.

As I deliberate on these matters, my thoughts tend to be perplexed and grow more confused. But one thing remains true: I am thankful to these people in my life - who share that magical bond with me - for having chosen to go along, and make my life special and memorable.

Nakul

Playing Carmegeddon to work and back...

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 10:47:20 GMT

An Open Letter to the Bangalorean who Drives:

Dear Bangalorean,

I have a question for you; A question I have been meaning to ask anybody who will listen.

How do you drive? More importantly, how do you sleep -- knowing you drive like the way you do?

You hold no qualms for traffic rules, and go where and how you please.
You offer no respect for pedestrians, and treat them the same way you would while playing Carmegeddon -- scum who deserve to be driven over.
You offer no courtesy to vehicles smaller than yours, pushing them off your path and the road -- treating them like they are mere obstacles in your path.

All in all, you drive like you were in a cross-country rally (the roads being in line) on Devil's own mission - to damage as many vehicle and human life as possible.

Shocked? Well, I hope at least some of us are.

I can't help but wonder what has transpired in our social environment that has detached us from the ultimate value otherwise accorded to a human life. We have 'learnt' to treat other vehicles on the road as just that - machines, attaching no human significance to the people inside!

We blare our horns, shout the choicest of swear words, zip in-and-out of non-existent lanes, push anybody close and slow enough off the lane (better still the road), and still manage to take two hours to cover a 15-20 kilometer stretch!

Traffic Signals are a snarl, thanks not only to the bad road management of the authorities, but equally due to our utter contempt of traffic rules. 10 seconds after a signal turns red, we refuse to keep at bay, and try to squeeze through non-existent spaces.

And God forbid the day that the traffic policeman is not at his traditional post - for then it is a free-for-all, ain't it? Except free would be a misnomer -- stuck-for-all-eternity is more like it.

And this is exactly the way it was at 7:30 AM today at the BTM traffic signal. The traffic policeman was AWOL for 10-odd minutes that seemed like eternity. And there we were: Everybody trying to everywhere, when in fact nobody could move an inch for the next twenty minutes; Till the policeman returned to take control of the situation.

And this forced me to think out loud: Why are we like this? Have we lost all sense of civility? Have you an answer or a thought?

Nakul

My reply to "A Bridge to Burn"

Wed, 19 Sep 2007 12:08:37 GMT

This was posted as a reply to my friend Bijoy's blog post A bridge to burn at CNN-IBN Blogs.

I post a copy-paste of my post to solicit your thoughts...

---

Dear Bijoy,

"Why the Saffron-bashing?" - That's all I have to ask.

You talk of traffic snarls, and being a co-inhabitant of Bangalore, I can concur with that thought. But ain't every political party and so-called VVIPs to blame here: They hold up traffic to ensure 'important' people can catch their flight, and the rest of us can miss ours. Traffic cops get sacked because HDD's cavalcade has to wait 5 minutes.

So why single out this one stoppage organised by the so-called "saffron brigade"? This could have just remained the immediate trigger for your write-up, but alas, that was not what it is.

I find the constant brandishing of the anti-saffron flag by most sections of the media - and now on blogs too - rather disturbing. We in the writing and media circles seem to take pride in criticising anything that has any inkling to ancient India and what was ancient Indian culture.

We have now stooped to questioning the basic texts that define modern Hinduism - the Ramayana & the Mahabharatha - and questioning the faith of millions that are associated with the same. And if anybody dare ask a question to this - they are termed saffron and non-social.

Well understanding the danger that a lot of readers (other than you!) are going to term me just that, I can't help but ask if ANY such behaviour would be found acceptable if we started questioning events from the Bible, Kuran, and other religious texts.

I respect the other religions, what they preach, and what the respective followers practice. All I ask is let me practice my faith, in peace.

I do not infringe on other's beliefs. Please do not infringe on mine.

Is that a fair thing to ask?

Nakul

PS: Two points on the DMK-related incident: It is utterly sad and unfortunate that two people had to lose their lives, for what is clearly a political issue.

My heartfelt condolence goes to the families and friends of these hapless souls. I pray to God that justice be done, and that the criminals be brought to justice.

Proud of my Country. Shameful of my countrymen.

Sat, 11 Aug 2007 03:53:36 GMT

There have been many events in the recent and not-so-recent past that prepped me to touch pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard); The execution of Saddam Hussein, the attack on the art student for an 'objectionable' painting, the election(?) of the President of India, the NICE corridor fiasco, numerous terrorist attacks in India, the foiled terror attack in London, the Haneef episode,... the list is large.

It was only my complete mastery at procrastination (I am the best procrastinator there is!), that enabled me to avoid a return to the blogosphere. And of course, there was this statement by one of our learned cabinet ministers, who sniggered at the people's campaign (mostly online) to bring back APJ Abdul Kalam for a second term as the President of India, as a insignificant minority who live in a deluded world of computers and virtual reality.

All this and more, could not prepare me to what I saw on the idiot box early yesterday morning. A group of 30-odd people (mostly men) attacking a lady, ostensibly to teach her a lesson for crossing pen with the sword of religion. This was too much to take and here I am typing away at my keyboard.

The scary fact remains that these so-called leaders carried out this horrendous attack inside a Press Club of India premise, right under the glare of numerous journalists, unmindful of the fact that they were on camera - both photo and camera! Or perhaps that was exactly the point -- that they were on camera; That this was a quick way to be 'known' across the state and country, arguably boosting their chances at the next elections.

And what has the new Lady President of our country got to say about this barbaric attack on an author - a lady author at that? Silence. Sorry! Did we miss something? We did not even hear a peep from the Rashtrapathi Bhavan.

What has the most powerful lady in the country got to say about this shameful episode? Sorry, but we did not hear any "tch tch" noises emanating from Madam's 10 Janpath either.

As for our new Vice President, all he had to say is people should not take law in their own hands. Asked a point blank question on what he feels about this uncivil incident, the learned intellect chose neither to condemn the incident nor state it as deplorable.

One should not find this too surprising as the Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM)--the party to which these three legislators belong--is one of the partners of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government at the center. I only wonder if we should treat this as a government-sponsored attack on democratic rights and secularism -- especially since secularism is a topic that the UPA heralds as its own?

As my mind revisits this inhuman incident, I can't help but wonder what would have happened to Taslima Nasreen had some journalists and morally-guided co-invitees NOT come to her rescue. The newreel showed this motly group led by three legislators repeatedly attacking the exiled Bangladeshi writer with everything they could lay their hands on: chairs, flowerpots, bouquets. I can't help but wonder if these three elected representatives of a democracy called India would have perhaps physically assaulted Ms Nasreen if they could reach her? Would they have gone to the extent of killing her if the others had not kept them at bay?

Based on what the perpetrators stated on new cameras -- "We will behead her if she sets foot in Hyderabad" -- I have to say yes. Although deep inside I still think this was all an act linked to polity and to please that incomprehensible and inexplicable "vote-bank". And in that moment of time, I really can't help but think: What right-minded individual would elect these characters?

A country once respected the world-over for its philosophies of non-violence and non-cooperation, has turned into a modern Wild Wild West (except this is the Mystical East) -- where lathi-wielding and gun-toting people roam the streets, beating the shit out of anybody who does not agree with their ideals and ideology.

As my motherland reaches the independent age of 60, I can't help but state - I am proud of my country, and shameful of my countrymen. We seem to have lost the spine and the morals that gained us independence and freedom.

A basic question come to mind: Do we deserve a democracy? (if what we are living in now is indeed a democracy).

If Mahatma Gandhi were amongst us today, would he have led us on another freedom struggle -- For independence from the nincompoops who govern us?

Nakul

Deleted entries...

Fri, 13 Jul 2007 10:39:38 GMT

For the first time ever, I have deleted two of my blog entries. These relate to Emmanuel, the kid who has been fighting cancer. I remove the older posts, to prevent or minimise the misuse of a honest plea for help. The situation has changed much since, and I will let Ram handle it the way he wants.

Thanks to all my friends and their friends who extended a lot of much-needed support to Emmanuel.

Nakul