By Staff Writer
Displaying his powerful talent for clients such as the Toronto Zoo, the 2nd wonder of the modern world (the CN Tower), and Boston Pizza, Durgy has made a mark in the community and built a name that is spoken of on a national level.
“Thirty years ago (not that I was around back then!), you could have graduated high school, found a decent job and lived a comfortable life. Having only an undergraduate degree these days does not even guarantee a job or financial freedom of any sort. Young people today are expected to be more educated and more well-rounded than ever before.”
Durgy Spade belongs to the South Asian Canadian generation that believes in “why not,” at least to the extent of choosing a career. The son of immigrant parents, Durgy is a professional illusionist with a degree in software engineering from University of Toronto. While he works as a professional software engineer and has been a Science and a Math “nerd,” to entertain his audience seems to be mantra of his life.
Oh, of course Durgy Spade isn’t his real name. Like many other performers, he has chosen this name to add to his stage persona.
He enlightens Generation Next’s readers a bit with the history of illusionists. “The greatest and most well known magician who ever lived Harry Houdini was born Erik Weisz. His idol was another magician named Robert Houdin. Erik changed his name to Houdin-i which meant “like Houdin”. David Copperfield adopted his name after the famous Charles Dickens novel of the same name,” he informs us.
Additionally, his tricks are inspired by everything that is around us. The “unbelievable amount of rain combined with thunder and lightening”, the baby’s cooing, and, yes, Russel Peters and much more inspires Durgy’s magical tricks.
His response to our question “Why go into the field of illusion?” is “Why not? The first trick I ever learned was when I was about 8 years old. It only seems like natural progression for me to continue doing what I do best.”
And how did his family and friends react to his career choice.
“At first they weren’t quite sure what to make of it,” but Durgy is fortunate to have their blessings.
Can it really be a source of living for someone?
This professional illusionist’s response is not too unpredictable.
“ Like any profession in this world, if you are good at what you do, you will make money. Do I make money performing? Yes, but I treat it as a bonus. I was performing long before anyone offered me a single dollar to perform.”
In the Greater Toronto Area, where it is hard not to come across someone of the South Asian background, Durgy believes that his career is not about any one community, it is about entertaining the audience.
“ I don’t think people are looking specifically for a South Asian magician- rather they are looking for a good entertainer. When you have an event that requires such entertainment, the background of the performer is usually not a priority,” he tells Generation Next.
Have Generation Next’s readers heard of any illusionists outside of kids’ shows or casinos?
Somewhat surprised, Durgy responds “Lots! I’ve never performed for a kids show or at a casino. Ok I lied- I performed one kid show maybe five years ago when the mother of a child begged me after her son had seen me perform at a public event. I perform at many engagements/weddings, corporate events, and other events geared towards an adult audience.”
Displaying his powerful talent for clients such as the Toronto Zoo, the 2nd wonder of the modern world (the CN Tower), and Boston Pizza, Durgy has made a mark in the community and built a name that is spoken of on a national level.
Ever seen a show on TV where a magician cuts off her assistant in two pieces after she has been locked in a box where she can die of suffocation anyways? Well, Durgy believes that the audience is smarter and does not believe that someone’s life would be put in danger just to entertain.
“We need to remember the primary objective of an illusionist is to entertain his audience. So if the audience is entertained, the illusionist has done his job. I think we can give the audience enough credit to assume they know a person isn’t literally being cut in half on stage. Besides, there are laws in place that forbid such things,” he says.
Do people really buy into magical world especially when science has progressed so much? Perhaps even kids are skeptical. Wouldn’t you agree, we ask curiously?
“Couldn’t disagree more. There is a reason Copperfield continues to sell out his shows in Vegas decade after decade. There is a reason Criss Angel is able to renew full seasons of his show on national network television year after year. You’ve made an argument of magic versus science when that has never really been an issue. I have never met a magician who claims the rules of science can be broken by him. Most will tell you what they do is for entertainment purposes- not black magic or voodoo of some sort,” says Durgy.
As a South Asian, Durgy is encouraged by the “plethora of South Asian community organizations for young people that may be interested. They are everywhere, in schools, universities, Gerrard street and local temples and mosques.” However he believes that more needs to be done by the community to educate itself to prevent heart diseases and diabetes.
As a young professional, Durgy feels that more is expected of today’s youth.
“Thirty years ago (not that I was around back then!), you could have graduated high school, found a decent job and lived a comfortable life. Having only an undergraduate degree these days does not even guarantee a job or financial freedom of any sort. Young people today are expected to be more educated and more well-rounded than ever before.”
Not fan of politics, Durgy is perplexed by politicians’ spending habits.
“One of my biggest pet peeves of society is watching tax money being blown away by politicians who cannot make up their mind. A recent example of this is seeing the proposed Mississauga power plant being cancelled. It’s going to cost tax payers $180 million dollars.”
What are Durgy’s future plans, we ask.
“Working and performing as I do today, but maybe with a family of my own,” he tells Generation Next’s readers.
