Blind magician takes Surat by storm

Rajkot: The prowess in the magic of Hasmukh Bhai Deliwala, a resident of Surat, has made him so popular that he need not have any regrets for being blind.

Deliwala is quite popular among magic lovers in Surat. Most visitors come to Deliwala's show expecting to see the unexpected. And they are not disappointed.

Deliwala keeps his audience spellbound with a heavy dose of entertainment and an engaging brand of magic tricks - all without being able to actually witness how does his magical trick appear to others.

It's been six years when Deliwala lost his eyesight after falling off a running train. Successive surgeries failed. But it left him with a burning desire to survive.

"After each surgery, I had to take a compulsory bed rest ranging from one to four months. It was during this period I thought that even if I lost the sense of sight for the rest of my life, I should do something that could make people appreciate me" said Deliwala.

"I decided to take up magic as I already knew a few tricks and was keen to find out if I could do them without any eyesight. I practiced and it was successful," added Deliwala who has so far conducted nearly 1,500 magic shows.

Visitors share a common admiration for Deliwala saying his prowess makes him stand tall among "normal" magicians.

"We were very impressed by his performance. It matched shows by normal magicians in its speed and skill. Very impressive," said Mahesh Doshi, an audience.

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However, it was never a joyride for Deliwala to enter the world of magic. He had to knock on several doors before an elderly magician agreed to take up a blind pupil.

Before setting upon the journey of success and popularity, Deliwala underwent many questioning eyes, ridicule and rejection. But all this time Deliwala found unflinching support of his wife, Jasodaben, who volunteered to help a visually challenged person take up difficult and often risky tricks.

"He was initially not able to perform the 'blade trick' and said that even his Guru was not sure if he could ever learn it properly. But I egged him on. We were in Surat for a show and I told him there was nothing he could not do. He did it eventually. I hope and pray that he is able to conquer the most difficult of tricks," Jasodaben said.

The Blade trick is a dangerous trick and involves "eating" nearly a dozen blades and then taking them out all entangled in a thread.

However, today Jasodaben is proud of her husband's achievements, accomplished after years of relentless practice.

Jasodaben feels it is the amazing resolve of people like her husband that should make society rethink about the capability and conviction of anyone branded "physically challenged" for lifetime.