And the most magical word ABRACADABRA it comes from the ancient Assyrian / Aramaic words and it means “I Create As I Speak” its said to be a reference to God creating the world while speaking.
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Samuel Kasrani
Magician
Sep 28 2010
Kasrani has been likened to world reknowned Magician David Blaine and possesses his own unique style. Kasrani has been wowing people all over the world and has made a name for himself in the UK. An Assyrian Magician is very rare indeed and Kasrani tells us there is only one KASRANI.
For those that don’t know you, tell us who Kasrani is?
A while back I said it in some writing that, no matter how much I write and describe about me, it is still not exactly what I am and who I am. You have to meet me in person to have an idea of who Kasrani really is. For now let’s say I am a Magician who likes to read, write and love the beauty of everyday life, with aim of creating laughter, magic and wonder for people. Also like to communicate with people through means of creating short films, music, photography and spoken words.
You are the only Assyrian Magician in the world. Why did you choose to become a Magician?
Indeed it appears to be I am the only Assyrian magician in the world (or maybe the last remaining Assyrian Magician). Considering how magic dates back to the ancient Assyrian times, and magic was an activity enjoyed by Assyrian Kings. And the most magical word ABRACADABRA it comes from the ancient Assyrian / Aramaic words and it means “ I Create As I Speak” its said to be a reference to God creating the world while speaking. One day there will be a young generation of Assyrian Magicians taking over and passing on the legacy of the Assyrian Magician.
Becoming a Magician wasn’t a choice I made. I simply loved the fact of messing around with everyday objects and entertaining people, and that slowly progressed and as I did it more and more it quickly became recognized by people and here I was asked and invited to many parts of the world to share the beauty of magic with people. I show you the Magic.
Who/what inspires you?
It is more about what inspired me rather than who inspired me. Of course I have been inspired by the likes of David Blaine for example, who brought attention and interest to the world of magic. However, my biggest inspiration in life and magic is people. I get inspired by realizing the potential we as human have, we can practically do anything and everything we want, the choices are endless , finding something that we love and then practice it with love and commitment, that becomes an inspiration. Bringing ancient Assyrian knowledge and culture to shine again is something that is closely related to the inspiration of the Magician who is creating wonder for his audiences.
Your magic was featured in the Universal Picture Movie “Magicians” (2007). Tell us a bit about that.
Yeah I was contacted by the producers of the film inviting me to appear in the film and as the film was very interesting story and had some magical legends in it, I said sure.
I love to play around with coins, so in the film I am featured rolling a coin across my fingers for few seconds. It was great experience to be featured in a Magic film with some of the greatest Magicians ever, here was the Assyrian Magician rolling a coin from Mesopotamia on his fingers in a film called Magicians.
That also inspired me to write more and have explored ways to connect magic to film, from consulting on ideas of adding magic elements in a film to sharing showmanship and magical elements with actors, singers, dancers, designer , musicians and artists. Adding the touch of magic to the artistic fields of wonder and beauty.
What’s your favourite trick?
This is a funny question I get asked a lot. Basically I don’t have “a favorite trick” yet, as I am constantly refining the tricks and things I do, so one day I might have a favourite trick, for now everything I do I love doing it, so that’s make everything I do my favorite. I do like to roll four American Silver Dollars across my fingers; it’s a feat of dexterity that has carried me long way in mesmerizing my people.
What does Kasrani like to get up to in his spare time?
To be really good at what you do and care to make it better and better, then this means you have to eat, drink, sleep all while doing your thing. Performing is beautiful, I do it all the time, practicing is equally beautiful. That is my daily meditation, to be in a complete silent zone practicing and repeating, this then is magic that is shown in few seconds to anybody anytime.
I also make conscious effort to connect with people, communicating and doing things with others is something I do and strive for. This makes everything I do relevant to the artistic vibe I am involved with.
When I am not performing magic, then I will most likely be meditating, reading, writing, doing photography, music, film and lots of other things that progresses the art and make me as good as I can be.
We all have a favourite Assyrian meal. What’s yours?
Food is something that I have special interest in. I love cooking simple, direct, easy and delicious food. I mix elements of Assyrian cuisine with Italian, Indian, Mexican flavors. It's hard to have one favorite dish really , Assyrian food is delicious, Prakheh/Dolma (my dear mother have been cooking better dolma each week for many year) it just gets better each time. So that could be a favourite and less obvious Assyrian food like reza b kharetmaneh, booshala, tlokheh ( Assyrian style lentil soup is without a doubt on the top favourite foods) the way Assyrian and Greek cook it is magical.
You have been likened to (arguably the world’s best Magician) David Blaine. How does that make you feel?
It's flattering to always be compared and linked to David Blaine, but that could well be to the relation people like to put in things, when people see me performing , they don’t know what to say and how to react sometimes, so to quickly related to something you have seen before, becomes a solution so they relate me to David Blaine. Bringing ancient knowledge of magic to public attention is the greatest magic David Blaine ever did. People link me to him , but we are totally different styles of performing and personality, there is only one David Blaine, and of course there is only one me one KASRANI.
What makes you proud to be an Assyrian?
I could write a book on this here and now. The fact that I have studied ancient knowledge and discovered that Assyrian were the first people to live and practice many systems used today. I am proud of the fact that, our ancestors created systems of writing, communication, magic and more. Also the incredible universal knowledge that Assyrian had thousands of years ago, I am proud to be living in an age where by I can inspire my fellow Assyrian brothers and sisters to read their history and find out who they are and what they represent. We owe this to the people who have contributed incredible knowledge to present society and that is the Assyrian. Digging and finding what the Assyrian did thousands of years ago is a beautiful duty upon us. Unity, love and understanding will makes proud for who we are as suppose to what we have .
What disappoints you about being an Assyrian?
Nothing… I wouldn’t say there is anything that disappoints me for being an Assyrian, I am proud of being an Assyrian, as well as proud to be human and a live, the wonder I create in people’s minds is what I am proud of the most. What might be a little bit of disappointment is that, some Assyrian have neglected their own search and study to who the Assyrian really are. Instead we have accepted what we have been told, and in 2010 we still haven’t managed to fully unite and represent Assyrian.
If you could invite 3 people to perform for, who would they be and why did you choose them?
Over the years I have performed for many people, from the streets to superstar’s private parties, festivals and family gatherings. From all this I came to understand is not about who you perform for, it’s about what happens there and then which is unique experience.
Instead of me inviting 3 people to perform for, I leave that to you. Choose me any three people you want and I will perform for and then tell you why I did it.
Any final words?
Sure these are final words. These are like sharp swords. In all my writings and shows I try to remind myself that the whole of life is about:
No high or low
No fast or slow
Just allow, be, accept, look at the skies, love the sister, read, write, sing, dance and go with the flow.
Peace, love and kindness.
MaGically,
KASRANI
