Kruti Parekh Is Using Magic & Mentalism To Inspire Societal Change

Born as one of India's first test-tube babies, Kruti Parekh knew at a young age that she was destined for wonders. She was five years old when she watched a magic show that not only entertained her but also sparked an intrigue to learn the craft herself. What followed was a relentless quest to become a trailblazing young magician and mentalist. "My guru, William Zambago, taught me the art of magic free of cost; in return, he wanted me to promise to keep his art alive for hundreds of years," Parekh recounted in an interview with SheThePeople. "I'm trying to live by that promise to date."

How Kriti Parekh's Young Dreams Took Flight

A promise from a five-year-old to a 95-year-old-- This was just the beginning of a young girl's journey to redefining India's magical legacy. Mumbai-based Kruti Parekh quickly gained the world's attention, appearing on television shows and earning prestigious accolades as a child artiste. Meanwhile, she diligently balanced her academic pursuits.

Parekh pursued a degree in informational technology engineering followed by a PhD in Magical Entertainment and Humanities from the USA. Her thesis was based on the application of magic as entertainment in humanitarian causes. As an admired performer for over 35 years, it is this very fusion of artistry and impact that drives her.

In one of her recent ventures, Parekh curated a show called Do Dreams Come True? where she uses mentalist performances for mental health awareness. "It is an interactive show for children and parents to understand mental health, navigate its challenges and become an achiever. The show is about having a purpose along with the wow factor," she described.

Parekh, who is also a motivational speaker, has completed her Kovida in Sanskrit with a major in Bhagavad Gita. A unique feature of her work is that she combines her spiritual learnings with mentalism to "create high impact but also teach some sort of universal truth," she said. For Parekh, mystique and logic go hand in hand.

Parekh's unparalleled talent has made history for India as she has delivered transformative performances and showcased the power of entertainment as a tool of connection and inspiration. Notably, she is one of the first female mentalists in Asia and the first Indian to perform on Penn & Teller: Fool Us, an American magic competition TV Show. 

One Of India's First Female Magician-Mentalists

In a country where magic and mentalism were often seen as boys' clubs, Kruti Parekh waltzed her way in, waved her wand, and reshaped the game. Her journey was not only about wowing audiences but also about breaking stereotypes and setting a precedent for women to claim their spaces in male-dominated fields.

"Magic or mentalism are very male-dominant even today. If you look at women A-listers in India, I don't think there are more than two or three names," Parekh noted. "More women need to come explore this field because there is so much scope. I know a lot of female magicians who learnt magic in their childhood and were doing well up to a particular age; But when it came to professional performing, the social norms and responsibilities kept them behind from taking the lead."

While Parekh believes that female performers have the potential to even outshine others, the industry often continues to undervalue women's contributions, she said. From biases in hiring to gendered expectations that confine their roles, female performers find themselves fighting an uphill battle to be valued and respected for their talent.

Parekh emphasised the constant pressure faced by women in the spotlight to fit into a conventional image. "To date, a lot of female performers are judged by their physical appearance. If you're going on stage, you are going to be judged by first how you look, how your makeup is, or how you are dressed," she shared.

"Male performers and female performers may be on the same skill level but the way the audience perceives them is completely different. For example, a man can simply throw on a jacket, have an unkempt beard and messy hair, and say 'Hey, it's a new look' and go on stage to perform. He can wear the same jacket to four events but no one says anything. But a female performer is expected to be prim, proper, and presentable, right from the makeup to how she's dressed."

These expectations of female performers limit their talent to their looks and restrict their chance to express their individuality. Thus, Parekh is on a mission to challenge these norms. "I'm trying to break that barrier where I'm saying 'If you want to hire me as a mentalist, hire me for my skills.' I want it to be more work-oriented rather than look-oriented."

What Does Magic Mean In The Digital Age?

When we hear magic and mentalism, what is the first image that comes to mind? Is it a sorcerer caressing a crystal ball to predict your destiny? Or perhaps a sharply dressed gentleman pulling a bunny from his hat? These timeless symbols have dominated the idea of magic but, like all industries, this one too has evolved leaps and bounds.

Magic is an art founded in exclusivity, yet with secrets and tutorials being more accessible in the tech-savvy age, performers today are faced with the thrill of consistently levelling up their craft. Kruti Parekh expressed, "Magic is something which is always ahead of the normal. The beauty is that magic today is science tomorrow. So you have to keep evolving."

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"We have to be one ahead of the audience... I have to be aware that these tricks are being revealed online. So can I come up with new material? Can I come up with new presentations? Because if I teach you how to do a particular trick in one way but change the presentation and do it in another way, you will still feel it's magical. That is what makes you a better mentalist or a performer."

Despite this challenge, the mentalism industry in India has seen encouraging growth in recent times, according to Parekh. "The art form has evolved immensely. Youngsters and newcomers today are well-groomed and know how to speak well. They know how to represent themselves so much better than we did back in our day."

As an admired magician and mentalist, Kruti Parekh has emerged as a revered mentor and inspiration for these emerging performers. She credits her self-made success to her adaptability and relentlessness even in the face of challenges. Her decades of work are a powerful example that entertainment and purpose can co-exist and create real impact.