Back to the Streets

An afternoon with jugglers, contortionists and other magical beings of Indian streets.

Magician Ishamuddin in a still from the film Magic Can Wait.

The packed hall did not blink even once, so they saw clearly that the boy was sitting in a basket one moment — and was gone the next. Magician Iljam Ali beat his damroo three times. “Should I bring him back?” he asked casually. Half the hall murmured in assent; the other half was still figuring out what had happened.

The Indian Basket Trick was held on Monday at Studio Safdar, an arts organisation in Shadipur, as an effort by the Indian Street Performers Association Trust (Ispat) to raise awareness about the rights of street entertainers. The afternoon’s entourage comprised snake charmers, a behroopiya or traditional impersonator, a new-age juggler and a pair of contortionist brothers among others — all frequently grouped under the dismissive title of madari. “We are actually seven performing tribes in India, each with a distinct character and repertoire,” said Ishamuddin, a magician who is famous for performing the Great Indian Rope Trick in 1995, and is the force behind Ispat.

Around four tribes presented their specials at the show. Wali Mohammed held an empty vessel before the audience and, from thin air, filled it to the brim with water. He conjured up solids too — when an iron ball the size of a fist popped out of his mouth, all jaws in the audience dropped. “The iron ball trick is very difficult for the performer, so it is famous throughout the world,” said Ishamuddin, whose son Altamas has trained in Japan in the fine art of juggling, including while riding a unicycle. Dressed in a jazzy costume and juggling clubs to music, he represented the new generation of performers, a world removed from Pritam Nath and Mast Nath, who were in bright orange robes and turbans and played the been and tumbak to tribal and Bollywood tunes. Ever since it became illegal to keep snakes as pets, the tribe of snake charmers has been trying to reinvent their identity through music.

A film on the lives of street performers in India, Magic can Wait, by Danish journalist, photographer and filmmaker Kent W Dahl showcased an odd dichotomy — street entertainers attract both large crowds as well as the police. “In sketches and books of Mughal and colonial India, we see performers in courtyards and palace grounds. Today, such shows are not even allowed on on streets. Are we set to lose our traditional art?” asked Ishamuddin.

As for Javed, the young boy who had disappeared in Ali’s basket, he reappeared as a snake and a pigeon and then, a head jutting from the basket with a dagger through his neck.

Dipanita Nath

Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life. Professional Background Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint. Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series). Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season: 1. Climate & Environment "Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week. "How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site. "Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner. 2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage "Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle. "Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport. "The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle. 3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc" "Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema. "Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups. "How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor. Signature Style Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune. X (Twitter): @dipanitanath ... Read More

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