Magic Academy Bangalore is proud to have hosted The Garden City Festival of Magic during 8-11,May,1997 – the grandest event in the history of Indian Magic.

Over five hundred magicians from all over India and several countries participated in a four day ‘Convention’. The first ever International Convention in India, hosted the likes of David Costi from Italy, Mark Settiducati and Bob Sheets from USA, Aladin from UK, Manvel Kazarian from Russia…Hundreds of millions accross India and worldwide became aware of the event duly to extraordinary coverage by national Indian channels as well as by the likes of CNN and BBC World Service TV

In recognition of his outstanding magicianship, the Academy awarded its Golden Turban award to Aladin. The Academy is grateful to Aladin for his role in bringing the Garden City Festival of Magic into reality. 

The festival was honoured by the presence of Sam Dalal, Gautam Guha and Solyl Kundu from West Bengal, Dayanand, Appadurai, Sreenivas (Ooty) and Jammu from Tamil Nadu, Budhmal Kumbhat from Rajasthan and Prof. Vasanth Kumar and Prof. Baas of Karnataka… all doyens of Magic in India.

Competitions saw amazing talents of India come to forefront…and shining till date…the fabulous conjuring talents of Hashim from Kerala, Karun Krishna from Karnataka, Prof Yona from Tamil Nadu, Prasad from Karnataka, Tiger Sharma from Andhra Pradesh…..all winners.

The delegates were engrossed by the lectures and teaching sessions of David Costi, Mark Settiducatti, Sreenivas, Aladin.

 The Gala shows were truly International and classic…with the likes of Costi, Bob Sheets, Aladin, Kumar Kalathil, Sarang, Ravichandran, Budhmal Kumbhat, K.S.Ramesh, Praveen Kumar, the great Chand Pasha,  Miss Pearl  Bhumgara, the Shankars of Udipi,Prince Sil,Roshni Sil and several others…

Prahalad Acharya astounded one and all with his trade mark escape act chained and handcuffed..dipped into a burning stack of hay…out of it unharmed before you could spell Magic !

The biggest dealers arena saw hundreds of magicians gobble up  the buffet of colourful and amazing spread of magic on sale !

Gala five star dinners with fabulous performances are still talked about !