Award for magician Pramod Kumar

Avneet Kaur

Jalandhar, January 2

City-based magician Pramod Kumar (56), who is also a kanugo by profession, was recently honoured by Noble Foundation, which recognised him as the best magician in the region. He received the award from Punjab Governor VP Singh Badnore and Local Bodies Minister Navjot Sidhu at a function held in Punjabi Bhawan, Ludhiana.

Around two years ago, he had made it to the Guinness Book of Records for his outstanding tricks. Pramod has also received many state and national awards for bringing in new techniques and tricks in the field of magic.

Having performed his first magic show in 1981, he has performed over 100 shows in India as well abroad so far. Recently, he returned from Canada after showing his magic skills. The Indian community in Canada had also honoured him for taking the art of magic to the next level and bringing in new reforms to it.

“The very first trick I learned was burning a matchstick from any surface, including clothes, bald head or hand. I learned it from one of my cousins, who was expert in the trick. He attended professional training classes in Bangaluru for the same. As he taught me the trick, I grasped it in the first go,” he said.

“After learning the technique, I performed the same trick at one of my college functions. I was 19 years old at that time. Luckily, I received a lot of appreciation for the trick. I was just spellbound and decided to make my career in the field of magic,” he added.

Narrating his story, he said, “I used to get 10 paise every day for spending. For many years, I collected those 10 paise and opted for a professional course in magic. The field has brought many beautiful memories to me as I got a chance to perform before former Prime Minister IK Gujral and ex-President APJ Abdul Kalam,” he boasted.

Sharing his journey and future plans, Pramod said, “I had also performed magic shows for the social cause and the poor children. My tricks bring happiness on their faces when they see how pigeons or rabbits randomly come out of a place. For a magician, bringing smiles on the faces is the best reward.”

Calling himself an all-rounder, he said, “I am also a part time writer and share my writings on social media to create awareness about health and social issues among masses.”

Slated to retire from his job in a few years, Pramod claimed, “I have plans to learn another course in magic, which will connect magic to mentalism and then I will be able to read mind and make predictions.”