'Everything is magic; it’s everywhere'

Cyril Takayama is that magician we’ve all stopped and stared at while browsing through channels. Yes, that very same Asian-looking entertainer, who jumps off the screen, everytime he’s on it. But there’s so much more to him than his amazing craft and good looks as DNA discovered in this tête-à-tête.

“I first saw magic when I was six-years-old and it was such an amazing experience! I knew I wanted to be a magician right then. Yes, like many kids in India, I was also told that magic could never be a career option and that I should pursue a career as a doctor or lawyer — but I chose to prove them wrong and I am happy I decided to do so,” says Cyril as we catch up with the magician on his maiden visit to India.

What does magic mean to you, we’re tempted to ask, and much like his magical self, he answers, mid-sentence, “It’s a gift according to me. A gift that helps me entertain, that helps me put smiles on people’s faces — that helps me connect, without really knowing their language, or for that matter, anything at all, about them. It makes the world a smaller place through these connections of joy and that’s why it means so much to me.”

That said, we’re left wondering how Cyril manages to deal with all the negative attention a magician often has to deal with. Cyril indulges us, “Magic is not a very accepted practice or art anywhere in this world, and there will always be people who question every trick you do. The fault here — and I speak for myself — lies with the magician. If you keep trying to make people assume that they’re fools, challenging them constantly with your tricks, where’s the entertainment? I realised this a few years ago and that’s when I changed my format. I made people realise that magic is not a challenge. We all know it’s a trick… finding out how it works need not be the biggest thing about it, enjoying it while it is performed could be a lot more fun. This method has worked wonders and now I have people willing to share my craft with me and let it bring joy into their lives, too.”

An answer like that leaves us quite satisfied and so we move on to the more light-hearted questions. Tempted by his charming personality, we ask Cyril if he’s ever been asked if he was for real.

“Not so much in person, but my fans have written to me, asking me if I was a supernatural being or an alien. It’s funny and I laugh, but I never keep myself from not replying. It’s important to make them understand that you are as human as them. It just makes your craft all the more magical,” Cyril explains.

And do you believe that magic is in everything? “That shouldn’t even be a question really. Everything is magic; it’s everywhere! In the sunrise, the sunset, in falling in love, in smiles, in the blooming of a flower — magic is everywhere, one needs to just stop, take a deep breath and appreciate all of this wonderful magic around us,” enthuses Cyril.

“You should watch my latest show, Cyril’s Family Vacation: Hawaii Edition that premieres in India tonight. It’s got a lot of this magic that we see in our daily lives and sides of me you have never seen before,” he adds.

With most of our questions answered and a smile that refuses to leave our faces, we ask Cyril if Bangalore’s on the agenda soon. “I would love to visit Bangalore sometime, I’ve heard so much about it. The people, the culture — everything is so amazing about this country. I will definitely visit Bangalore on one of my next visits,” Cyril concludes.