Udupi-based magician-turned shadow player Prahlad Acharya is in the finals of the 6th edition of “India’s Got Talent” reality show on Colors television channel on Saturday, competing with five others to be the winner.
While two competitors are in the dance section, one is in singing and two more are in aerial show. Mr. Acharya is the only one performing shadow play on the theme of women empowerment. He would be utilising his arms and fingers to the tune of “O Ri Chiraiya” to convey the message as well as to compete with others.
Asked how he entered the reality show, Mr. Acharya told The Hindu that the organisers invited him after watching his performance videos; he was directly allowed into the semi-finals. Competing with 32 performers in four rounds, the shadow player was successful in entering the pre-finals. There too, he emerged successful where 15 eminent people had rendered different performances.
Passion for magic
Born and brought up in Udupi, Mr. Acharya had a penchant for magic since his PU classes. Thereafter he joined the Vaikunta Baliga College of law to pursue five-year law course. But the love for magic did not allow him to complete the course and he became a full-time magician.
Shadow play, pure art
Mr. Acharya said he chose shadow play because it was a pure art that needed no help from any gadget and allowed one to completely explore and utilise one’s talent. He was attracted to this art about five years ago when he was performing magic in Germany. Thereafter he completely concentrated on shadow play.
Mr. Acharya is the only contestant in the this edition of the reality talent show from south India.
