Renowned magician, hypnotist Dr BV Pattabhiram passes away in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: Personality development trainer, mentalist and magician Dr BV Pattabhiram (75) died in Hyderabad on Monday night after suffering a heart attack. His mortal remains are kept at his residence in Khairatabad for public homage from 9 am on Wednesday. The final rites will be held at Mahaprasthanam, Jubilee Hills, at 3 pm.

A life of overcoming challenges

Born in East Godavari district as one among 15 children of ‘Rao Saheb’ Bhavaraju Satyanarayana, Pattabhiram faced physical disability in his adolescence. However, he overcame his inferiority complex and moulded himself into a magician and writer. While pursuing higher education in Kakinada, he learnt magic from Ember Rao and later continued his practice even while working at a food corporation in Hyderabad.

Rise as a magician and mentalist

By the 1970s, Pattabhiram was performing mesmerising two to three-hour-long magic shows independently. In 1984, he created history by riding a scooter blindfolded from Ravindra Bharathi to Charminar, creating awareness against blind beliefs and superstitions.

Spreading awareness through magic

He widely campaigned against black magic and superstitions, proving that hypnosis could treat certain ailments. Encouraged by the then chief minister NT Rama Rao, Pattabhiram blended his magic shows to spread messages on government schemes and social causes like prohibition. He also performed to raise funds for Godavari flood victims, reflecting his humanitarian outlook.

Cinema and media presence

Pattabhiram acted in a few Doordarshan serials and films, including Jandhyala’s Rendu Rellu Aaru, where he played himself. Cine stars like Shobhan Babu, ANR, Jayasudha, Jayaprada and Rajendra Prasad admired his skills. His personality development columns in various magazines were widely read.

Condolences pour on

Telangana chief minister A Revanth Reddy, deputy chief minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, former chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, Union Minister Bandi Sanjay, and Minister Nara Lokesh expressed deep condolences over Pattabhiram’s demise, recalling his invaluable services as a magician, hypnotist, psychologist, and soft skills trainer. They prayed for his soul to rest in peace and conveyed heartfelt sympathies to his family.