Master illusionist K Lal passes away

His cremation,expected to be attended by people from all walks of life,is scheduled for Monday noon at Mukti Dham.

The illusionist who had brought famous personalities,including Mahatma Gandhi,alive on stage and could make them talk to the audience,will be remembered and revered for his over 2,000 magic tricks.

During his 62-year-long career,Lal held a record 22,479 stage shows across the globe. He performed for the last time in July at H K College Hall in Ahmedabad. “With more than 5,000 national and international awards as well as a record number of stage shows,he was set to enter the Guinness Book of Records this year. He had already received an approval for this award. Besides,his name was recommended by the state government for Padma Shri award,” said his son Harshad,who is also a magician and known as Junior K Lal.

Lal,who was born at Bagasara in Amreli district,started performing in 1950 from Kolkata,the city where he decided to learn the art and took training for more than 25 years. His first three-hour long show was held at Kolkata’s Roxy Cinema. Lal was not only popular for his innovative tricks but also as a crowd-puller who evolved with time and adopted technology and computerisation in his tricks.

“Surviving in this age of laptops,mobile phones,video games and many other means of entertainment was a challenge for our family. But my father would never let this take over his work.

He had always innovated ways on how to use technology in tricks. He was the one who had computerised our shows and used illusion tricks of international standards,” added Harshad.

When asked about Lal’s most favourite and popular trick,he said that despite being introduced years ago,even today people come to see Mahatma Gandhi alive on stage. Making a train coach,car and an elephant disappear are some of his other popular acts.

Apart from his tricks,Lal was liked for spreading social messages like brotherhood,patriotism and honesty through his acts.

Modi,Gohil express grief

Chief Minister Narendra Modi and Leader of Opposition Shaktisinh Gohil expressed grief over the demise of Lal.

Modi said Lal was the son of Gujarat,who not only made the state but the entire country proud through his innovations and use of science and technology in his field.

In his condolence message,Gohil said,“Born in a small town of Guajrat,K Lal had brought international acclaim to the state as well as to the country.”