Empire of Enchantment: The Story of Indian Magic - John Zubrzycki Talks about His Latest Book

Empire of Enchantment: The Story of Indian Magic - John Zubrzycki Talks about His Latest Book

Tuesday, Jul 17, 2018 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Location:
Asia Bookroom
Lawry Place
Macquarie
ACT (Just across the road from the Jamison Shopping Centre)
RSVP by July 16th to 62515191 or books@asiabookroom.com

Entry by gold coin donation to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation

On Tuesday July 17th John Zubrzycki will speak about his latest book

Empire of Enchantment: The Story of Indian Magic

 
Much more than a compendium of anecdotes about the ‘mysterious East,’ Empire of Enchantment: The Story of Indian Magic is a cultural, social and political history of India’s conjuring traditions and their descent from the realm of the gods to the domain of daily ritual and popular entertainment. In his talk John Zubrzycki will explore the myths and legends behind the most famous feat of all--the Indian Rope Trick. 
 
India’s association with magic goes 
back thousands of years – from the seals of Mohenjodaro that depicted sorcerers and yogis, to the jugglers, mountebanks and acrobats that dazzled spectators at the courts of Hindu maharajas and Mughal emperors. Tales were told of ropes being thrown up in the air, strong enough for a boy to climb and disappear;
 of fakirs being buried alive for months and brought back to life; and of sanperas charming deadly cobras with their flutes. In the early nineteenth century, touring Indian magicians mesmerised audiences abroad, prompting generations of Western illusionists to emulate their Eastern peers. 
 
Drawing on ancient religious texts, colonial records, newspaper reports, journals and the memoirs, diaries and testimonies of Western and Indian magicians, Empire of Enchantment offers us a vibrant narrative on Indian magic from ancient times to the present day. 
 
 
John Zubrzycki has worked in India as a diplomat, consultant, tour guide and correspondent for  The Australian. His background is in South Asian history and Hindi, and his doctoral thesis (University of New South Wales) concerns historical links between Indian and Western stage magicians. John’s previous books include The Last Nizam and The Mysterious Mr Jacob.