Magician Samraj

Magician Samraj
Born
George Samuel

1956 (age 69–70)
Occupationsmagician and illusionist
Parent(s)Geevarghese George
Mariyama George
Websitewww.magiciansamraj.in

Magician Samraj, also known as George Samuel, was an Indian performing magician and illusionist from the southern Indian state of Kerala.[1][2] He is also known as "The Indian Houdini" and has performed over 8,000 shows.[3] Samraj is also notable for being the first person to perform "horror magic".[4][5][6]

Early life

Samraj's interest in magic began from age 7, when a street magician came to the school where he studied.[7] The magician put sand in an empty can, closed it and upon reopening pulled out green grapes, which stunned Samraj. When he figured out the trick, he expressed his interest in becoming a magician to his parents, who told him to concentrate on his schoolwork. He later became a professional engineer.[8] Years later, his interest was re-prompted by a street magician who cheated him out of his money.[7] He then quit his job working in the Middle East and pursued magic full-time.[8]

He lives at Mavelikera at a distance of 100 km from the state capitol.[8]

Famous Performances

  • Great Fire Escape Act
  • Graveyard Escape Act
  • Great Jail Break
  • Train Vanishing Act
  • Bomb Blast Escape Act
  • The Great Indian Magic Tour

Awards and achievements

Year Award Note Reference
2014 Melin Award ( Oscar of Magic)

Installed by the International Magicians Society, USA gave away by its World President Magician Tony Hassini

[9][10]
2016 Guinness World Records [11]
2025 Golden Magic Award

Indian Magic Academy, Vishakhapatnam

[12]

Books

  • പേടിക്കേണ്ട മജിഷ്യൻ സാമ്രാജാണ്
  • ക്രിസോസ്റ്റം നർമ്മങ്ങളും കേൾക്കാത്ത കഥകളും[13]

References

  1. ^ "കാണികളെ വിസ്മയിപ്പിച്ച് സാമ്രാജിന്റെ 'മിസൈൽ ബ്ലാസ്റ്റ് എസ്കേപ്'..." (in Malayalam). manoramaonline. 29 August 2025. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  2. ^ "Kerala magician Samraj, known as Indian Houdini, to receive the prestigious Merlin Award for his 'scary magic'". news18. 17 July 2014. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  3. ^ "Indian Houdini leaves his audience in a trance". timesofindia. 16 November 2001. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  4. ^ "No magic wand for these tough times: Kerala-based illusionist Samraj". thehindu. 10 January 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  5. ^ "The man who casts a spell". newindianexpress. 9 June 2018. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  6. ^ "ലോക്ക്ഡൗണ്‍: സ്റ്റേജ് കലാകാരന്മാര്‍ക്ക് ഐക്യദാര്‍ഢ്യമായി മജീഷ്യന്‍ സാമ്രാജിന്റെ ഒറ്റയാള്‍ പ്രകടനം" (in Malayalam). mathrubhumi. 5 April 2020. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  7. ^ a b Sebastian, Shevlin (9 June 2018). "The man who casts a spell". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  8. ^ a b c "This Kerala magician offers to host shows for free to help State government, police fight COVID-19". EdexLive. 19 April 2020. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  9. ^ "Kerala magician gets international award". business-standard. 21 July 2014. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  10. ^ "Kerala's magician receives international award". thehindu. 23 July 2014. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  11. ^ "Most Magic Tricks Performed Blindfolded in One Minute" (43 tricks) and "Most Matches Stacked Into a Tower in One Minute" (76 matchsticks)". magiciansamraj website. Retrieved 1 November 2025.
  12. ^ "മജീഷ്യൻ സാമ്രാജിന് ഗോൾഡൻ മജീഷ്യൻ പുരസ്കാരം". മജീഷ്യൻ സാമ്രാജിന് ഗോൾഡൻ മജീഷ്യൻ പുരസ്കാരം (in Malayalam). Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  13. ^ "അതായിരുന്നു ഞാന്‍ പറഞ്ഞ ആദ്യത്തെ ഫലിതം" (in Malayalam). asianetnews. 8 August 2019. Retrieved 1 September 2025.