Edited by- Robin Bhuyan (Editor-in-Chief)
Written by- Priyanka Bhattacharya (Sub-editor)
Interviewed by- Uddipta Raj Deka
If we talk about magicians in Assam or the entire Northeast India, the name that comes at the top is none other than Vikram Talukdar, who is known by the public as Jadu Samrat Vikram. Jadu Samrat Vikram is not just the leading name in the realm of magic in the region, but he is also a spiritual mentor. Join us in an exclusive interview with the renowned illusionist, as we discuss his career, the future of magic in Assam, as well as talk about supernatural elements.
What drew you to pursue a career in magic and how did you first learn about it?
Like any youngster, I was always interested in the realm of magic, and since my teenage years, I’ve been pretty enamored with the works of P.C. Sarkar, etc., which is how I finally became engaged to this career. My guru was M. Hussain, and it was him who inspired me the most.
Could you please elaborate on the difficulties you have faced?
Well, to be honest, I had a difficult time at first since there weren’t many employment possibilities. About 20 years ago, when I finished my MBA, I was making a respectable salary. It was very difficult to get established as a magician since organizations, events, etc. did not conduct magic performances. However, over time, we began to conduct corporate events, birthday parties, mega concerts, and ticket-selling shows, and we performed on television consistently, eventually garnering the attention and excitement of the public that our work deserves in the modern day. I think magicians in the modern day should be recognized for their contributions. We’ve come a long way and had to forge our way into the actual world to reach our current standing.
Your magic and the artistry you execute has always captivated the audiences. But, do you believe that supernatural magic exists or is everything just an illusion?
As long as you’re ready to accept it, everything is real. Of course, some magical works include some level of intricacy. Since it takes on several forms, it is impossible to distinguish between the genuine and fraudulent. It’s amazing because of the technological component. For example, magic changes throughout time much like individuals do. We used to create handwritten letters back in the day. Over time, WhatsApp has largely replaced email in our lives. This is not to say that we no longer use email or write handwritten letters; rather, it is our nature to rely on more convenient means of communication, especially when we are entitled to them. In the same way, magic has changed over time and brought with it new variants. For instance, levitation is a superhuman ability that requires years of meditation and sheer patience. It is technically possible to accomplish the same thing with a Levitron by employing magnetic repulsion. To help the audience better understand the difference between illusion and magic, I would also provide another example of telepathy. Spiritual gurus used to be able to mentally communicate with people by entering their thoughts and sending them messages. Do you believe someone would have the patience to allow telepathy to function for a considerable amount of time so they could telepathically connect, considering this generation’s frantic schedules? It’s not justified in my opinion either. You might have a serious and enjoyable talk with your pal over WhatsApp if you have a few minutes to spare. Neither is authentic nor false in any way.
Could you tell us about the magicians who inspired you before you started your career? Is there any name who has had a big influence on your growth??
There are distinct categories of magicians. Some examples include mentalists, conjurers, hypnotists, close-up artists, illusionists, and so on. I consider myself fortunate to have discovered gurus who have instructed me in nearly every aspect of magic. Now that I lead workshops, I get to highlight the abilities my gurus have given me.
Do you believe that the field of magic has been negatively affected as a result of internet media?
In my opinion, internet has actually improved the field of magic even more and made it much simpler to learn it. In my opinion, the young generation’s exposure to new-age media has made this feasible. Let’s use our earlier analysis of handwritten letters as an example. While we now know that there is a huge decrease in the number of postmen, we have also seen an increase in delivery boys for foods and other services, which highlights just one of the numerous advantages of internet and digital media. For example, the fact that five hundred people sign up for magic courses every month demonstrates how young minds are still attracted to the realm of magic, despite the availability of the internet.
Earlier, you were popular as an illusionist, but now you provide spiritual guidance in fields such as Vaastu Shastra. Could you please elaborate on how this transition happened?
I always provided spiritual guidance to people around me who were in need, but now the only difference is that now I have opened my services for the public. I always had an interest Feng Shui, Reiki, etc. I won’t say that I’ve changed my profession or anything like that; instead, I thought I would use my free time to help those in need. Additionally, I’ve created a site where people may contact me anytime they need help.
Can today’s youth consider pursuing magic as a professional career? What advice would you give to aspirants?
Absolutely. Even 10–20k can be charged per concert, by an amateur magician, which can amount to of 60–90k every month. As for advice, I would say that to pique the interest of the audience, both intellect and street smartness is important for a magician. In addition, I would advise both pros and amateurs to pay taxes on the performances they put on since it will give everyone a greater sense of independence.
Is there anything specific about you that the general public is unaware of?
Though my life has been mostly transparent, I suppose many are unaware that I had studied in all three streams i.e Arts, Science and Commerce, which I think has helped me balance being rational and philosophical at the same time, and also helped me grow financially.
What role does spirituality have, in your opinion, for today’s youth?
In my opinion, spirituality is the only path to serenity in light of this generation’s anxiety, depression and frantic schedule. I’ve witnessed individuals battling many mental disorders that are common in our generation, such as anxiety, depression, and other conditions. I believe that everyone should include spiritual practices and personal spiritual development in their lives, as it is the easiest way to find bliss as well as escape from all kinds of psychological issues.
Which advice would you provide to the current generation?
First of all, it is important to go through a significant detox. Second, cutting back on screen time is important; and third, figuring out where our dopamine comes from and finding a healthy substitute for it in order to promote both mental and physical health is of utmost importance.
Your plans for the future?
We are planning to reach out to more people digitally. We are also trying to promote spirituality and bring magic and spirituality under one umbrella. We want to create a platform where people can learn about spirituality, experience the supernatural, learn magic etc.
Thank you very much for your time! It was a great experience talking to you!
Thank you so much!
