Sorcar to set up Magic Land in West Bengal

A restaurant where food is served by ghosts, fishes swimming in an aquarium without any water, monuments disappearing and reappearing in seconds and a visitor going back into the past to perform tricks in emperor Jehangir's court are some of the latest items that renowned Indian magician P. C. Sorcar has prepared for his Magic Land.

To be set in a remote village in Bengal, right next to the Sunderbans, Sorcar's world of illusions will be spread over 1000 acres and is expected to cost over Rs 100 crores which will be totally financed by the magician.

The land will have 34 of Sorcar's latest and most unique creations including a section where visitors will be able to travel back in the past and forward into the future.

Sorcar revealed that Sahara chief Subrata Roy had asked him "to set up this magic land in Sahara Parivar's Amby Valley." However the magician refused since he wanted a place "where people could have easy access and can turn up in large numbers."

"I had gone to Lucknow for a show when I met Roy. I told him bout my magic land project and he was immediately interested. He told me that money and land wouldn't be a problem and he was willing to give me as much of both as needed.

However he also requested me to make the magic land in Amby Valley. However I apologised for not being able to take up the offer since I want more people to visit the place which won't happen if it is in Amby Valley, " Sorcar said.

He added: "I have prepared 34 special items never seen before for my magic land. The place will be so big that visitors won't be able to see everything in a single day. So the state tourism department is setting up tree top cottages and airconditioned bungalows for visitors to stay overnight. Most of my new creations will be an illusion. Visitors can follow a guide to walk over water. However, in case they go on their own, they will fall into it."

He said that there will be a restaurant where ghosts will serve food, a light and sound programme where any monument of the visitor's choice will be made to appear and disappear in front of his eyes, an aquarium where fishes will swim without water and a cyber journey where one will be able to visit emperor Jehangir's court.

The Asian Age