A rising star in the world of magic is making headlines—not just for his skills, but for using illusion to deliver an important message.
17-year-old illusionist Ashvath Shajith, based in Bahrain, has officially set three international records as part of a large-scale performance combining magic with social awareness.
A Record-Breaking Illusion
Ashvath joined 98 other performers in a coordinated act where participants appeared to transform a beverage into water—a visually striking illusion designed to promote a clear message:
“Say No to Drugs.”
The performance doubled as an anti-narcotics and alcohol awareness campaign and earned recognition from multiple organizations, including:
- International Book of Records
- Indo World Book of Records
- America Book of Records
The event was organized by Art of Mentalism and Kerala School of Mentalism and took place in August of last year.
A Young Performer on the Rise
Ashvath’s journey into magic began at just 13 years old. Inspired by other performers, he started by studying shows and practicing on his own before developing his skills through online training.
Today, he has already performed nearly 50 shows across Bahrain and India, building experience well beyond his years.
In addition to magic, Ashvath is a Shaolin kung fu black belt and an avid painter—proof of his dedication to both discipline and creativity.
The Power of Practice (and Honest Feedback)
Like many magicians, Ashvath puts in countless hours rehearsing—but he has a unique test before every performance:
His mom.
According to Ashvath, if he can successfully fool her, he knows the act is ready for a real audience. It’s a simple but effective way to sharpen his material and ensure the reactions are genuine.
And for him, that reaction is everything.
Seeing the look of surprise on people’s faces is what makes it all worth it.
A Family Behind the Magic
Behind the scenes, Ashvath credits his success to his family, who play an active role in supporting his journey.
From filming and editing to encouragement and feedback, they serve as his full production team—proving that sometimes the strongest support system isn’t a crew, but the people closest to you.
What Is Mentalism?
Ashvath’s work falls under the category of mentalism, a branch of magic where performers create the illusion of extraordinary mental abilities.
This can include:
- Mind reading
- Psychological influence
- Suggestion and prediction
- Subtle sleight of hand and hidden methods
When done well, mentalism blurs the line between reality and illusion in a way that feels incredibly real to audiences.
What’s Next?
Currently, Ashvath is in India preparing for his engineering entrance exams—but he’s not slowing down.
With more performances already in the works, it’s clear this young illusionist is just getting started.
And if this latest achievement is any indication…
He’s a name worth watching in the world of magic.
