'I Wish To Spread The Idea Of Mentalism As An Art Form', In Conversation With Mentalist Chandrankit Sharma

The world of magic never fails to startle onlookers, however, there is something beyond magic which blurs the difference between magic and reality. Although both types of performers produce illusions—mentalists and magicians—a mentalist produces illusions of the mind, whereas a magician produces illusions of the eye.

Chandrankit Sharma, a prominent name in the field of illusion, is poised to demystify and pave the way in the field of mentalism. At the age of 7, Chandrankit started performing magic for an audience and gradually shifted his focus to the mental side of producing illusions. A well-known corporate entertainer, Chandrankit breaks down the finer points of the illusions industry while sharing his road to becoming a mentalist.

What early memories do you have of magic, and what made you want to become a magician?

My first experience with magic dates back to when I was a young child and it was a modest performance in my hometown. I believe I watched a highly colorful and impressionable show when I was just six years old. I was so fascinated by the paraphernalia of the magician that I returned to attend the performance at least three more times before telling my father that I wanted to pursue it. I got my first magic kit like every other kid back then since I was simply a little child with a lot of curiosity about something he found fascinating.

This is how it all began: gradually, I started performing these little feats for my family and later for relatives.

What distinguishes an illusionist from a magician or mentalist?

A magician is someone who performs tricks using deception or sleight of hand. Ultimately, the entire goal is to impress someone and provide that "wow" moment through visual demonstrations.

An illusionist is someone who does elaborate illusion shows using props, help, or techniques like cutting a woman in half or vanishing a car. The phrases "magician" and "illusionist" are frequently used interchangeably to describe the same type of performer.

However, a mentalist conjures up the illusion of mind reading. Magic and illusions are mostly visual; they are for the eyes, whereas mentalism is for the brain. Making someone believe that someone can read minds or the future, is the role of a mentalist, which is becoming more popular right now. But, for people who are unfamiliar with terms like mentalist, illusionist, hypnotist, or psychics, the standard name used for all types of performers is magician.

What is the most memorable performance you have ever had?

For performers across categories if you may ask, the most memorable performance is always the last one. Every show I do appears to be better than the prior one, and I aim to make it memorable for both the audience and myself. One show, though, stands out in my memory because I performed it when I was younger. A great theatrical production was being seen, and students made up the majority of the audience. That was their first time I was performing in front of a group of 500–600 kids. Following that stint, I received an overwhelming response and that made me feel responsible since I know that people are looking up to me and maybe I can motivate them to take action.

How difficult is it to pursue a profession in magic?

Working in the world of magic is incredibly fascinating. People used to go absolutely stunned to see Indian magicians back in the 1990s or the 1980s. It was past time for people to enjoy this genre of art, but slowly it began to wane. In the modern day, magic likewise received little support from the general public. Having said that, it's really taking off right now with all the live performances in theaters and the rise of stand-up comedy, so yes, people are trying their hand at magic. However, in order to make magic your profession or your means of support, you must be extremely skilled. You need to put in your genuine hard work, time, energy, and plenty of practice to perfect the art form and then see how you can take it in the way that you can earn a livelihood out of it.

What tips would you provide to those who want to pursue careers as magicians or mentalists?

The first thing that those who want to become magicians or mentalists need to understand is why they want to do it. Are you merely doing something for pleasure, because you think it's cool, or are you genuinely attempting to turn it into a career? You need to be aware of the fact that this art form does need a lot of effort and sacrifice on your part. Like any other art form, there is almost no money when you first start.

Q. What are your future plans with the art of magic and mentalism?

Many people believe that magic is only used for amusement, but it actually has a vast useful realm. Given that it is one of the most creative art forms, it may be a terrific instrument for teaching creativity, idea generation, body language control, assumption management, knowledge of how to broaden viewpoints, and other skills. I wish to spread the word about the benefits of engaging in this fantastic art form.

The other goal is to inform people of all the falsehoods surrounding magic. Individuals who claim to have these miraculous healing abilities give off a misleading impression of magic, my belief is to position mentalism as something which impacts people optimistically.