MAGIC means Multimission Advanced Ground Intelligent Control.

The English words magic, mage and magician come from the Latin magus, through the Greek µ????, which is from the Old Persian maguš.

Magic is an illusion. Just like something vanished into thin air. Magic itself is a form of art that catches one’s attention and seems so fascinating that it will make you wonder 'How Is It Possible'.  And out of curiosity, you’ll search around when everything will seem like the real world.

Magic holds the power to drive you into fantasies and you are forced to jump into that image no matter what.

Magic is nothing but hand tricks done with perfection.

But it takes a magician years into practice to achieve such perfection

The earliest known written magical incantations come from ancient Mesopotamia (modern Iraq), where they have been found inscribed on cuneiform clay tablets that archaeologists excavated from the city of Uruk and dated to between the 5th and 4th centuries BC.

How did magic begin:-

The Western conception of magic is rooted in the ancient Judeo-Christian and Greco-Roman heritage. The tradition took further shape in northern Europe during the medieval and early modern period before spreading to other parts of the globe through European exploration and colonialism after 1500.

Magic has a long and varied history and has captivated and enthralled people for over 2,500 years. The first recorded magic act was by the magician Dedi who performed his tricks in Ancient Egypt in 2,700 B.C. He is credited with the first cups and balls magic trick.

Magic, which encompasses the subgenres of illusion, stage magic, and close up magic, among others, is a performing art in which audiences are entertained by tricks, effects, or illusions of seemingly impossible feats, using natural means. It is to be distinguished from paranormal magic which are effects claimed to be created through supernatural means. It is one of the oldest performing arts in the world.

The performance of magic involves words (e.g, spells, incantations, or charms) and symbolic numbers that are thought to have innate power, natural or man-made material objects, and ritual actions performed by the magician or other participants. A spell or incantation is believed to draw power from spiritual agencies to accomplish magic. Knowledge of spells or symbolic numbers is often secret (occult), and the possessor of such knowledge can be either greatly revered or feared. In some cases, the spell is the most highly regarded component of the magical rite or ceremony. 

Opinions vary among magicians on how to categorize a given effect, but a number of categories have been developed. Magicians may pull a rabbit from an empty hat, make something seem to disappear, or transform a red silk handkerchief into a green silk handkerchief. Magicians may also destroy something, like cutting a head off, and then 'restore' it, make something appear to move from one place to another, or they may escape from a restraining device. Other illusions include making something appear to defy gravity, making a solid object appear to pass through another object, or appearing to predict the choice of a spectator. Many magic routines use combinations of effects.

Because magic is based on performance, ritual and the magician’s knowledge and ability play a significant role in its efficacy. The performance of magic also presumes an audience, either the spiritual forces addressed, the patient-client, or the community. 

Wizard, mage, magi, magician, conjurer, sorcerer, witch, warlock

Magic is often described according to various specialties or genres.

Amateur magician performing 'children's magic' for a birthday party audience

1) Stage illusions

Stage illusions are performed for large audiences, typically within a theatre or auditorium. This type of magic is distinguished by large-scale props, the use of assistants and often exotic animals such as elephants and tigers. 

Famous stage illusionists, past and present, include Harry Blackstone, Sr., Howard Thurston, Chung Ling Soo, David Copperfield, Lance Burton, Silvan.

Indian Magicians - 

Magician P C Sorcar: First amongst most famous Indian magicians

Magician and Harmonica player Ashok Bhandari.

Magician Kantilal a.k.a K Lal.

Suhani Shah - famous female magician/illusionist in India.

2) Parlor magic

Parlor magic is done for larger audiences than close-up magic (which is for a few people or even one person) and for smaller audiences than stage magic. In parlor magic, the performer is usually standing and on the same level as the audience, which may be seated on chairs or even on the floor. According to the Encyclopedia of Magic and Magicians by T.A. Waters, 'The phrase [parlor magic] is often used as a pejorative to imply that an effect under discussion is not suitable for professional performance'. Also, many magicians consider the term 'parlor' old fashioned and limiting, since this type of magic is often done in rooms much larger than the traditional parlor, or even outdoors. A better term for this branch of magic may be 'platform', 'club' or 'cabaret'. Examples of such magicians include Jeff McBride, David Abbott, Channing Pollock, Black Herman, and Fred Kaps.

3) Close-up magic

Close-up magic (or table magic) is performed with the audience close to the magician, sometimes even one-on-one. It usually makes use of everyday items as props, such as cards (see Card manipulation), coins (see Coin magic), and seemingly 'impromptu' effects. This may be called 'table magic', particularly when performed as dinner entertainment. Ricky Jay, Mahdi Moudini, and Lee Asher, following in the traditions of Dai Vernon, Slydini, and Max Malini, are considered among the foremost practitioners of close-up magic.

Indian Magicians - 

Magician Shardul

Magician Upendra Thakur

Magician Raj

Magician Mhelly

Sharadkumar

Magician Abhijeet

Escapology is the branch of magic that deals with escapes from confinement or restraints. Harry Houdini is a well-known example of an escape artist or escapologist.

Magician Jitendra Raghuvir

Pickpocket magicians use magic to misdirect members of the audience while removing wallets, belts, ties, and other personal effects. It can be presented on a stage, in a cabaret setting, before small close-up groups, or even for one spectator. Well-known pickpockets include James Freedman, David Avadon, Bob Arno, and Apollo Robbins.

Mentalism creates the impression in the minds of the audience that the performer possesses special powers to read thoughts, predict events, control other minds, and similar feats. It can be presented on a stage, in a cabaret setting, before small close-up groups, or even for one spectator. Well-known mentalists of the past and present include Alexander, The Zancigs, Axel Hellstrom, Dunninger, Kreskin, Derren Brown, Rich Ferguson, Guy Bavli, Banachek, Max Maven, and Alain Nu.

Theatrical séances simulate spiritualistic or mediumistic phenomena for theatrical effect. This genre of stage magic has been misused at times by charlatans pretending to actually be in contact with spirits or supernatural forces. For this reason, some well-known magicians such as James Randi (AKA 'The Amazing Randi') have made it their goal to debunk such paranormal phenomena and illustrate that any such effects may be achieved by natural or human means. Randi was the 'foremost skeptic' in this regard in the United States.[22]

Children's magic is performed for an audience primarily composed of children. It is typically performed at birthday parties, preschools, elementary schools, Sunday schools, or libraries. This type of magic is usually comedic in nature and involves audience interaction as well as volunteer assistants.

Indian Magicians - 

Magician Vijay Raghuvir

Zenia

Kruti Parekh

Milind Kumar

Sharadkumar

Magician Shravan Kumar

Magician Abhijeet

Online magic tricks were designed to function on a computer screen. The computer screen affords ways to incorporate magic from the magician's wand to the computer mouse. The use of computing technologies in performance can be traced back to a 1984 presentation by David Copperfield, who used a Commodore 64 to create a 'magic show' for his audience. More recently, virtual performers have been experimenting with captivating digital animations and illusions that blur the lines between magic tricks and reality. In some cases, the computer essentially replaces the online magician.

In a 2008 TED Talk, Penn Jillette discussed how technology will continue to play a role in magic by influencing media and communication. According to Jillette, magicians continue to innovate in not only digital communication but also live performances that utilize digital effects. The 2020 COVID-19 lockdowns ushered onto the world stage a surge of online magic shows. These shows are performed via video conferencing platforms such as Zoom.

Mathemagic is a genre of stage magic that combines magic and mathematics. It is commonly used by children's magicians and mentalists. 

Suhani Shah 

Satish Deshmukh

Corporate magic or trade show magic uses magic as a communication and sales tool, as opposed to just straightforward entertainment. Corporate magicians may come from a business background and typically present at meetings, conferences and product launches. They run workshops and can sometimes be found at trade shows, where their patter and illusions enhance an entertaining presentation of the products offered by their corporate sponsors. Pioneer performers in this arena include Eddie Tullock and Guy Bavli.

Ashok Bhandari 

Magician Jitendra Raghuvir

Magician Vijay Raghuvir

Suhani Shah 

Satish Deshmukh

Gospel magic uses magic to catechize and evangelize. Gospel magic was first used by St. John Bosco to interest children in 19th-century Turin, Italy to come back to school, to accept assistance and to attend church. The Jewish equivalent is termed Torah magic.

Street magic is a form of street performing or busking that employs a hybrid of stage magic, platform, and close-up magic, usually performed 'in the round' or surrounded by the audience. Notable modern street magic performers include Jeff Sheridan and Gazzo. Since the first David Blaine TV special Street Magic aired in 1997, the term 'street magic' has also come to describe a style of 'guerilla' performance in which magicians approach and perform for unsuspecting members of the public on the street. Unlike traditional street magic, this style is almost purely designed for TV and gains its impact from the wild reactions of the public. Magicians of this type include David Blaine and Cyril Takayama.

Bizarre magic is a branch of stage magic that creates eerie effects through its use of narratives and esoteric imagery. The experience may be more akin to small, intimate theater or to a conventional magic show. Bizarre magic often uses horror, supernatural, and science fiction imagery in addition to the standard commercial magic approaches of comedy and wonder.

Shock magic is a genre of magic that shocks the audience. Sometimes referred to as 'geek magic', it takes its roots from circus sideshows, in which 'freakish' performances were shown to audiences. Common shock magic or geek magic effects include eating razor blades, needle-through-arm, string through neck and pen-through-tongue.

French comedy magician Éric Antoine

Comedy magic is the use of magic in which is combined with stand-up comedy. Famous comedy magicians include The Amazing Johnathan, Mac King, and Penn & Teller.

Quick change magic is the use of magic which is combined with the very quick changing of costumes. Famous quick-change artists include Sos & Victoria Petrosyan.

Camera magic (or 'video magic') is magic that is aimed at viewers watching broadcasts or recordings. It includes tricks based on the restricted viewing angles of cameras and clever editing. Camera magic often features paid extras posing as spectators who may even be assisting in the performance. Camera magic can be done live, such as Derren Brown's lottery prediction. Famous examples of camera magic include David Copperfield's Floating Over the Grand Canyon and many of Criss Angel's illusions.

Classical Magic is a style of magic that conveys feelings of elegance and skill akin to prominent magicians of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Notable classical magicians today include Yu Ho-Jin and Ryan Lally.

Ambigram Magic / Dream with a handheld pattern giving a reversed shadow by mirror symmetry.  'It's all done with smoke and mirrors', as we say to explain something baffling.

Mechanical magic is a form of stage magic in which the magician uses a variety of mechanical devices to perform acts that appear to be physically impossible. Examples include such things as a false-bottomed mortar in which the magician places an audience member's watch only to later produce several feet away inside a wooden frame. Mechanical magic requires a certain degree of sleight of hand and carefully functioning mechanisms and devices to be performed convincingly. This form of magic was popular around the turn of the 19th century—today, many of the original mechanisms used for this magic have become antique collector's pieces and may require significant and careful restoration to function.

Famous Magicians of India 

1) Magician P C Sorcar: First amongst most famous Indian magicians

The most familiar name among the Indian households, P C Sorcar was a brilliant scholar. You can also read about Magician P C Sorcar in the book PC Sorcar: The Maharaja of Magic. An ethnic Bengali, Sorcar chose magic as his full time profession after completing his graduation. His magic routines soon earned him robust acclamation among Indian as well as foreign crowd.

P C Sorcar had a true international appeal. He toured across countries to perform breathtaking magical tricks in a show named Indrajaal. Such was his performance and influence over people that his name became synonymous to magic in India. In a rare honor bestowed to P C Sorcar  for his contributions to society, the government released a postal stamp on his name.

2) Magician O P Sharma

O P Sharma also known as 'Jadugar' is a famous magician performing predominantly in the Northern states of the country. Any list consisting of the best indian magicians will be incomplete without his name

We all grew up looking up his posters which had only his extremely ecstatic face colored in Glowing green or Hot Magenta. The man gained worldwide popularity when he made a building disappear in Jodhpur. Since then, he has pulled off a slew of such disappearing acts along with his son O P Sharma Jr.

3) Magician and Harmonica player Ashok Bhandari

Magician Ashok Bhandari is a man of multiple traits. At the age of 15, the entrepreneur inside persuaded him to manufacture detergents. Later, he moved to Varanasi, the spiritual capital of India and his interests took an inclination towards Magic.

Being a pro at playing Harmonica, Mr. Bhandari started performing shows to support his love for Magic.

The magician feels deeply hurt listening to the extent of abuse of magic by Godman and Tantriks primarily in rural India. Thus, he has thought of organizing magic workshops at schools to catch children while they’re still young and create awareness on magic abuse.

4) Magician Kantilal a.k.a K Lal

An iconic magician whose career spanned for more than 60 years, Mr. Kantilal Vora performed staggering 22000 shows in India and abroad.

His audience included famous Bollywood personalities of yesteryears like Raj Kapoor, Shammi Kapoor, Rajendra Kumar, Nargis etc. His stunning routines like 'Head separated from Body', 'Killer Saw' and many more enthralled viewers of all ages.

Hailing from Ahmedabad, Gujarat, Mr. Lal started performing with his son K Lal Junior. His life journey ended at the age of 88.

5)  Magician and Shadow player – Prahlad Acharya

A prominent magician, escapologist, stunt performer and illusionist who hails from Udupi, Karnataka is termed as Indian Houdini by media. Mr. Prahlad is also an expert Ventriloquist and a shadow play artist. He performs under a show named 'Maya Jadoo'.

He also holds separate shows for his shadow plays under the name 'Speaking shadows'.

His audacious performances of Escape from Bangalore Central Jail within 10 seconds, Escape from Jog Falls, Udupi Golden Chariot vanish etc. have made him people’s favorite. His recent shadow performances in India’s got talent saw him reach to the Finals and earned him lots of praise and recognition.

6) Magician and motivational speaker – Gopinath Muthukad

One of youngest of the lot, this magician from Kerala is a man on a mission. As an ambassador of Kerala Government, Gopinath travelled the state with the message of Literacy. He is the founder of the Asia’s first Academy of Magic at Thiruvanantpuram, India.

At a very young age, this artist has achieved a handful when compared to his peers. These multi-talented personalities are in charge to act as an ambassador and make magic another sought after option for the kids to pursue. But, as emphasized earlier, without the enthusiasm of electronic media this art would continue to slip into oblivion.

7)Suhani Shah, an illusionist and Mentalist -Suhani Shah, an illusionist, has always known she was meant for something unusual in life. At the early age of seven, she had her first theatrical performance. She feels that Indian magicians still have a long way to compete with today’s gadgets and social media. 'To keep gadget-obsessed audiences engaged and delighted, Indian magicians should include technology in their acts. 'All we have to do now is move on from the Indian Magic Rope trick', she explains. She also emphasizes that the act’s charm rests in how it is presented rather than the trick itself.

8) Neel Madhav -For Neel Madhav, a chance meeting with the legendary magician Jason Randall in the United States changed his life. The 22-year-old even has his own magic show called You Got Magic with Neel Madhav that airs on NDTV Good Times channel. 'We were in the mystical Rann of Kutch, shooting an episode for the show and I instantly fell in love with the vastness of the pristine white desert.I came up with the idea of doing a disappearing act standing all alone in the middle of the desert. My team loved the idea and that’s when we got down to planning the trick and it was only after hours and hours of preparation and practice that the trick was ready. Thankfully, it all happened smoothly and the positive reactions the made it all worth it', he shares.

9) Magician Raghuvir

He was pioneer of this magical trend. Born in small village place kadav near mulashi dam Pune. Inspired from a Magician called Rana who performed Rajasthani Magic in a show held in his School in pune. By his dedication and efforts mastered the art of Magic and Hypnotism and performed thousands of show not only in India but also in Africa, Russia, and Europe etc. In 1960 started Magic classes to flourish the art at his own apanese styled bungalow ‘Pravasi Jadugar’.He has shared his experiences in two award-winning books named 'Pravasi Jadugar' and 'Me Pahilela Russia'.

 

10) Magician Vijay Raghuvir

When Magician Raghuvir used to perform there was one assistant of mere five years of age. He was none other but his son Vijay.

After Acquiring B.E. Electronics from COEP, he has taken over his father’s profession in1978 and still following same path marvelously. With strong support from his wife Jyoti who is also an artist and his skills to showcase international magical illusions and effects modified as per Indian audience, Vijay has undoubtedly created his own mark in field of Magic. He has given performances all over India and in Japan, USA, Singapore, Hongkong, Thailand and Europe.

He has written books like ‘Shatriya Jaduche Prayog’, ‘Hypnotism’ that are popular over years..

11) Magician Jitendra Raghuvir

Abracadabra — he says, as he moves his magical fingers over a can filled with water, covers it with his palm and turns it over to find his audience looking astounded at the now empty can. Here comes generation 3rd Magician Jitendra Raghuvir. Accompanying his father again from age five. Jitendra is B.E. Production India and MS Mechanical USA.

Jitendra has made his own style and added technology in this field. He has given performances in all over India, in USA for 5 years, Europe almost in 10 countries, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysiya and Middle East. Jitendra is associated with American Academy of Magic and teaching advanced magic with his wife Ashwini who is also an artist.

He is writing articles for various newspapers to create awareness about the art.

White magic has traditionally been understood as the use of magic for selfless or helpful purposes, while black magic was used for selfish, harmful or evil purposes.

12) Ugesh Sarcar - Magician - His name speaks it all. The current ruler of this world is Ugesh Sarcar. 

Also, you might have seen him in Jhalak Dikhlaja season-3.

He belongs to Bangalore, India. We have also seen him perform at various restaurants and hotels.

One of his famous act is 'flying in the air' or floating in the air.

Courtsey: https://mythicalindia.com/, Wikipedia