Beyond the muddy approach road to the Madari Vasti lies a whole new world, one regulated by its own social codes, customs and administered by a council of community elders headed by a sarpanch. ``Yeh to hamara khandani pesha hai. It is an art that has been passed down from one generation to the next. I would accompany my father on his trips to different cities and learn by watching him perform at the shows,'' says Fakir Chaudhari, the sarpanch of the madari community.

He has yet another interesting tale to relate about the community's initiation into the art of magic. ``Legend has it that Ustad Imam Shah, a man gifted with magical powers, wanted to bestow the same to those around him. But rather than meddle with magic powers, our forefathers preferred to be taught magic tricks,'' he says. A legacy that is still alive in the approximately 200 families that stay at Madari Vasti. Initially a nomadic community, some families chose to settle down in this part of Pune more than a century ago. Chaudhari has been the sarpanch of this tightly-knit community for the past 35 years. ``Parts of the community have settled in various pockets of Mumbai, Kolhapur and Calcutta. We resolve our own problems and justice is dispensed at these trials, called Insaaf, over which I preside,'' he says.

What kind of tricks do they have up their sleeve? Making a ball disappear from one place and reappear elsewhere, unravelling tight knots, making a feather change into a wooden cup... all form part of their repertoire. ``Sab haath ki chalaaki hai,'' says Sadruddin Madari as he effortlessly unravels a tightly knotted scarf. ``We tell the audience that what we do is not really magic, it's just sleight of hand. It requires cleverness, agility and presence of mind''.

Magic shows are of two types - road shows, held mainly in designated spots like the Peshwe Park and the Pune Railway Station, and shows conducted at functions. ``The summer and winter school vacations and festivals like Ganeshotsav are the peak seasons for magic shows. There is money in it but shows don't happen everyday,'' rues Chaudhari.

While madaris have always conjured up images of snake-charmers, the inhabitants of Madari Vasti seem wary when questioned on that score. ``Ever since the state forest department clamped down on using snakes for entertainment, we have stopped using them. It has been difficult to make ends meet, especially at road shows, where the snakes used to attract great crowds,'' says Akram Ali bhai.

Changing times have also affected the profession. ``Earlier, we would have simple tricks which had been handed down by our forefathers. Now, we have to incorporate more complicated and new tricks. Even our costumes have undergone a change, with flashier clothes being in vogue. Specially-designed props require a lot of investment, something we cannot afford,'' laments Sadruddin Madari.

Another change that time has wrought is in the younger generation moving away from the familiar field of magic to other professions. ``Children today need more money, and with education, some of them think that the job of a madari is not a promising one,'' says Chaudhari.

But for some of them, like Akram Ali bhai, magic is a way of life the madari will never forget. He demonstrates yet another parting magic trick. ``Think of a flower and rub your hands together,'' he says, uttering an incantation. A few seconds later, the distinct smell of the chosen flower emanates from the hand. How did he do it? ``Magicians never tell''!