Enamoured with magic

Farhanul Islam with internationally acclaimed magician, David Blaine.

Farhanul Islam, popularly known as Magicman Farhanul, is a Bangladeshi illusionist who has been performing extensively across Canada for the better part of the past decade. Farhanul began his career at the age of sixteen, inspired by internationally acclaimed magician David Blaine's television show Street Magic. "I love the simplicity with which Blaine approaches and presents his tricks," says Farhanul.

The four distinct forms of magic Farhanul currently performs are close-up street magic, mentalism, escape art and hypnosis. His most cherished style, however, is street magic because the spontaneous reactions from people adds to his joy of performing. "I also like challenging myself with extreme escape arts. I was the first Bangladeshi magician to successfully attempt an underwater escape act a few years ago," adds Farhanul.  It took him a year to plan and train himself before staging the act, but he feels the thrill of it was worth all the hard work. 

His first ever television appearance in Bangladesh was ten years ago. "The lights and camera were far too intimidating and in addition, there was a live audience. I almost turned pale in fright," says Farhanul. "However, the fear wore off as soon as I pulled off my first trick. Now, being on stage makes me feel like the king of the world." Farhanul also runs a tutoring company for business students named MagicATutoring in Canada. He also raises and donates funds to children battling cancer in Bangladesh through his initiative called the Magicman Farhanul Cancer Foundation, which has been in operation for eight years now and cumulatively contributed about $50,000 to young cancer patients in Bangladesh.