Solyl Kundu – An Inside Magic ProfileInside MagicMagic News Updated Daily for the Professional Magician

Solyl and a Friend – Doing Great Stuff

Regular readers of Inside Magic know that I rarely cover any magician or effect that I don’t think the world of. Solyl is no different. He is someone who loves our art and cares about promoting it as well as encouraging young magicians. He didn’t ask to have his story told here. I asked him, based only on my knowledge of Solyl from his writings and his contributions to magic e-sources, to allow me to profile him. He kindly agreed.

I can tell you a lot about Solyl thanks to his correspondence and contributions to various magic periodicals and books. Born in a Bengali family as Salil Kumar Kundu, his parents were originally from East Pakistan now known as Bangladesh. Although Hindu by religion Solyl has respect for every religion in the world.As he progressed through life, he decided to take the big leap into the world of magic. He gave up his job as a Medical Representative — a great job for someone with degrees in Science and Commerce — to become a full-time magician.

For those of us that work in the real world to support our lives as semi-pro magicians, that is a thought that passes through our minds (or at least mine) every day. Most of us let it pass and get to our day jobs. Thankfully, Solyl hung tight to the dream and magic has benefited greatly because of that decision.

How dedicated is Solyl to his career in magic? He hopes to die on stage while performing. That’s dedicated; or something. I personally have died on stage many times but Solyl means it literally. He is not married but has dedicated all of his time to pursuing his magic career. In fact, he is presently serving the IBM as its TVP for India-N (4 terms).

His writing credits include articles in Magigram, Magic Info, New Zealand’s Magicana, as well as the Indian publications Jadu, Maya Mancha, Ian Adair’s British publication,Dove Encyclopedia (Volume 5)and Mayajaal. He has published his own quarterly journal, Gimmick, which is still going after 18 years. He also haslecture notes ?Should I use Doves? Yes, you should!? on doves magic; “EntertainingChildren with magic, – My way? on kids magic; ?Sixer,? ?Magical M?lange,? and ?Simple, but Stunning? on assorted magic.

So when does this guy eat? When does he sleep? I don’t know. I know that when I am on-line, he is as well. When I send of a note, he responds almost immediately and when there is a request on one of the many bulletin boards or listserves, he provides substantive information immediately.

Solyl has done some globetrotting. He visited Canadaand the UK in 1997 and performed in several places in…

Solyl and a Friend – Doing Great Stuff

Solyl has done some globetrotting. He visited Canadaand the UK in 1997 and performed in several places in Canada including a TV show for Asian Horizon (ATN) in Toronto. He has a long cherished dream to visit the United States and attend the IBM and SAM magic conventions as well as the Abbott’s Get-Together toenjoy, learn and meet friends there.

In India, he performs whatever show his audience demands. For the kids, he has a kid show that appeals to moms and dads as well. He is best-known for his dove and livestock work and includes it whether doing the kid show, his famous Cabaret show or his full-scale Illusion act.

His approach to magic is to take effects with which we are all familiar and give it a twist or new face. You can tell from his writings that this is a passion for Solyl. If you haven’t already signed up for his new journal, MagiZette, you need to drop him a line and get on the mailing list. He is looking for contributors to the eZine so if you have something to share with a world-wide audience, you definitely need to get on his list.

As someone who tries to provide new content every 24 hours, I have to admire Solyl’s stamina and imagination. He seems to have limit-less interest and energy for teaching and sharing magic.I consider myself lucky to have met him — if not yet face-to-face.