The West Bengal government has cleared a proposal to establish a school in Kolkata dedicated to magic, illusion and performing arts, with officials positioning the planned institution as a centre for training, archival preservation, creative exchange and tourism.
The proposed West Bengal School of Magic, Illusion and Performing Arts will bring together state departments, performers, educationists and museum experts. A state advisory committee has already been constituted, with magicians Joysri Sorcar and Maneka Sorcar among its members.
Representatives from the information and cultural affairs, tourism, higher education, and technical education, training and skill development departments are also part of the committee. An eminent theatre personality, a museum development expert, a representative from the National Council of Museums, and two educationists specialising in performing arts and curriculum development are also expected to contribute to the planning process.
“The chief minister has cleared the proposal to set up the West Bengal School of Magic, Illusion and Performing Arts, and members of the advisory committee will meet after the Pujas to discuss the way forward, beginning with the preparation of a detailed project report (DPR),” a senior state government official said.
The official said the government’s aim was to position Calcutta as a major destination for magic and immersive performance. The proposed school is expected to train aspiring performers, provide access to archives and collections documenting the magic traditions of India and Bengal, and create opportunities for children to learn and experience magic.
Officials said the institution could also become a tourist destination. Its proposed activities would extend beyond stage performance to include archives, collections and educational programmes linked to India’s magic heritage. The project is being planned as a multidisciplinary centre rather than only a performance-training facility.
Maneka Sorcar said the proposal had originated from an idea associated with her father, P.C. Sorcar Junior. “We have a very rich and deep-rooted tradition of magic or Indrajal here in Bengal. My father did extensive research on this. Magic is a very important part of performing arts, and this is a wonderful initiative by the state government,” she said.
The project is also expected to support employment in allied creative occupations, including prop-making, set design, fabrication, costume design and lighting. These activities would connect the proposed school with the wider production ecosystem required for live performance and immersive experiences.
The planned funding model will combine state support with relevant Central government schemes, philanthropic contributions and institutional partnerships, according to officials involved in the project. The state government aims to establish the school within three years.
The next steps will begin with preparation of the DPR. Once that document is completed, officials said the process would move to campus design, construction, faculty recruitment, institutional partnerships and pilot projects before the formal launch. The advisory committee is expected to meet after the Pujas to discuss the project’s scope and implementation plan.
