MAGIC OF LIFE

How 17-year-old Mahadevan beat a fatal medical condition with fortitude and an extraordinary gesture by a well-wisher

- NIRMAL JOVIAL

The performance started with a casual conversation, weaving light-hearted humour and engaging questions, putting the volunteer at ease. But Mahadevan's sharp eyes never left her, keenly observing every flicker of her eyes.

"Picture your phone's lock screen," he told the volunteer, his tone layered with intrigue. "Now imagine drawing the pattern in your mind, step by step." Adding to the suspense, Mahadevan extended his hand and asked, "Ma'am, would you shake my hand?" With a theatrical flourish, he clasped her hand, letting the moment linger in charged silence.

Then came the climax. Picking up her phone, Mahadevan paused for a moment, his finger hovering above the touchscreen. Slowly, confidently, he traced the pattern.

The phone was unlocked. The volunteer's wide-eyed disbelief said it all.

Mahadevan followed this with an impressive display of telekinesis, flipping a pair of glasses without touching them, and a series of captivating card tricks.

And he loved the response he got. "Whether it is magic or mentalism, the reaction we get from the audience is what matters the most," said the 17-year-old mentalist, before reflecting on his life-one that has witnessed its own series of magical moments.

Mahadevan was born on October 14, 2004, as the eldest child of Lajeev G.L. and Lija S.K., a couple from Paravur in Kerala's Kollam district. Unfortunately, the baby had severe abnormalities in his renal system.

"At birth, his creatinine levels were elevated, and posterior urethral valves (PUV) were detected," said Lajeev, who works in a scheduled bank. It is a condition caused by a flap of foetal tissue that develops in the urethra during early pregnancy. And it happens only in boys. The flap obstructs urine flow from the bladder, leading to complications such as difficulty urinating, besides kidney damage.