Intriguing article by Claire Yip for The New Paper / AsiaOne

Want to know how you can make magicians disappear?

Just win an international award for magic and watch peer approval vanish.

That’s what happened to Mr S Chandran, self-professed magician extraordinaire.

In a business where everyone wants to be the one, Mr Chandran bagged the Merlin Award from the International Magicians Society (IMS).

It is an international recognition for excellence in their field and the 33-year-old is the latest local magician to win.

IMS founder and president Tony Hassini flew into Singapore to present Mr Chandran the award last Sunday.

Mr Chandran was named Best Variety Entertainer, a title created just for him.

He said he carved out a niche for himself in the industry by having an assortment of characters in his performances.

“Customers have a lot of choice with so many of my characters,” he said, adding, “I don’t think I have any competitors in this aspect.”

And judging by the reaction to him winning the award, not many friends in the industry either.

Created in 1968, the award is not without controversy…

Read More at:   http://news.asiaone.com/news/showbiz/award-all-smoke-and-mirrors?page=0%2C2