" Maybe I would do the 'disappearing act' before the film director can even reach me!" -- Jewel Aich
Jewel Aich a conjuror of illusions and a charmer, has often cut a women in half with an electric saw and put her back together. He has done the Houdini act of freeing himself from an airtight vessel and much more. Jewel is indeed a phenomenal magician in our country and has also earned international acclaim. That's not all. He is also a skilled flutist and does sketches as well. Here is an excerpt from the interview with Jewel on his professional and personal life.When was your first encounter with magic?
Once, a group of gypsies came to our village in Pirojpur. One of the gypsies performed a magic that involved three wooden bowls containing three colourful balls. Later, a circus group named " Banori Para Circus" came to our neighbouring village. When I returned home, I had already made up my mind to become a magician. Who was your childhood hero?
Celebrated magician PC Sarkar (senior) was my only childhood hero as I was fascinated by his magic. How did you step into the international arena?
I was invited to perform at the Society of American Magicians during the early part of my career. My performance at the international conference was highly appreciated. From then on there was no looking back. If you were asked to play the lead role in a contemporary Bangla film…
I would escape to a faraway place where nobody can find me. Or maybe I would do the "disappearing act" before the film director can even reach me! Who is the most important person of your life and why?
At different points of my life, someone has been significant for different reasons. In my childhood my mother was a key figure, in adolescence my friend Nitul. When my father passed away, I realised his importance. Likewise, in my first TV appearance, Abdullah Abu Sayeed was more important to me than any other person on earth. When I fell in love with Bipasha, she occupied that special place immediately. After the birth of my daughter, you can easily guess who the favourite person is! Something about yourself that you don't like...
Although I am keen on writing, I am not able to express myself in words. When faced with the prospect of writing love letters, I have a permanent writer's block. Are you involved with any social welfare programmes?
In greater sense, magic is an art that is altruistic. People want some relief in their stressful, busy life and magic provides just that. But when you talk of everyday philanthropic activities, yes I am involved with many of them. I have participated in many fundraiser programmes for medical treatment of the needy. I have helped generate funds for hospitals, schools for the physically challenged and welfare organisations among others. Do you have any unfulfilled wish when it comes to performing specific magic?
No. However, there are thousands of ideas that come to my mind at times. I have noted down some of them. I don't have any regrets in life though. If you are marooned in an island, what three things would you take with you?
Food, pills for migraine and books, lots of them!!!
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