Bhopal, Dec 31: In the western literature as well as in Hollywood pictures including Bond movies India is often shown as a land of magic. Indian rope trick is famous all over the world and many western writers have written on it.

magician Sudhansu, Magician Upendra Thakur, P.C. Sorcar Junior, an Indian magician of international standard and Indian lady magician Maneka Sorcar, daughter of P.C. Sorcar Junior are some of the world famous Indian magicians.

Bhopal Today Team

had an exclusive interview of famous Magician OP Sharma who is performing his magic spells in Bhopal nowadays.

Q: How do you feel being as magician?

A: Nothing like that except that I am also a common man like you.

Q: Where did you learn this magical art? Do you have any Guru or have you joined any magical school for it?

A: (Laughing) In my childhood days there was no such kind of school for magic. In the summer vacation I used to go to my hometown that is Ballia (Uttar Pradesh). My elder cousin used to teach me some magical strict. That I used to perform in my school on every Friday. Besides, I used to wonder in search of magicians and I used to show my magic to them and learn some lesson from them. As this way my magical art developed through the barter system. It is long saga.

Q: Students are burning oil till mid night to be an engineer. You were mechanical engineer and having lucrative bulky paying job. How did you come in the field of magic?

A: Really speaking, some things we do because we have to and some things we do because we like to. The things sustain our attention that is our hobby. If one's hobby and job confluence together then that is ever growing stream of joy for one. It happened with me, I was getting nice pay in my engineering job but not satisfaction. I was very much interested in magic shows. Honestly speaking I was dreaming about magic show then. Finally I decided to listen my inner voice. That's it.

Q: It is said that in your shows you present fashion shows?

A: Change is changeless rule of nature (laughing). With the changing life style magic shows are also changing. If I offer you boiled potato without salt you will not eat it. On the other hand it I give you boiled potato with mouth-watering spice in Samosa you will enjoy it.

Q: How your plays are beneficial for the betterment of society?

A: The aim of my show is entertainment cum education. People point out my fashion parade in my shows, I am sorry why don't appreciate my efforts that I contribute for the betterment of society. In my shows I focus on the population explosion, patriotism and female foeticide. Now I am planning to stage some show on AIDS, bad effect of drugs and foeticide. At present our staff is studying on this matter and we will come with social welfare themes.

Q: In your show you bring (tame) animal. How you take care of them?

A: These animals: rabbits, dogs, cats, pigeons and elephant are our family members without them my show is incomplete. We have appointed special staff for the care of these animals. Occasionally we call veterinary doctor for the medical check up. I also look in to the matter.

Q: On the golden jubilee show of you programme you diapered Honorable Governor Dr Balram Jakhar from the sight of audience. Audience had stopped their breath for a minute of two. How did you feel then?

A: First of all I would like to say thanks to honorable Governor Dr Balram Jakhar. He is great patron saint of magic art. He used to watch magic shows of great magicians. In the view of security concern I prior had taken his permission and he has one special guard with him. Once again I would like to say thanks to him (Jakhar).

Q: Are you still studying? How?

A: I consider myself as a student. Worlds all magician founded a community 'International Brethren of Magician'. Occasionally we met and perform our experiment there. Besides all magician exhibit their exhibit their experiment on the official web site of organisation. We exchange our views and idea with the help of Internet. I feel Internet is an Alauddin's magical lamp. My study is still going on and team of 15 engineers is for my help. We have big laboratory at Kanpur, my staff burns oil till midnight.

Q: Previously magic in India was very developed. Unfortunately our forefathers could not pass it on next generations. Have you any plan to sustain this art in India?

A: Once upon time magic was on the apex point in India but unfortunately that knowledge could not passed on to the next generation. Keeping this in mind I established a school for magic in Kanpur. Every year 150 students pass out as magicians from my school. In this way I pass magic on to the next generation.

Q: People come to you for entertainment. Where do you go for your pass time?

A: I am great fan of Amitabh Batchan and I like to watch his all moves. I like Kajol too.

Q: What do you expect from the government?

A: As compare to other countries Indian Union and state governments pay very little attention to this art. I think government should consider it as an art-based small scale industry and should pay some subsidies, loans and grants. More than 150 people get bread and butter because of this show. Isn't it a small industry? Besides, government should add a chapter on magic to the school text- books so that the new generation will not fall pray to the so-called Babas who proclaim that they know 'Black Magic'.

Q: Any message for people?

A: I appeal to the people that magic is an art meant for entertainment. Whatever we present during the show is a confluence of art and science.