Kuda Bux: The Illusionist from India who Mesmerized the Western World with his Astonishing 'X-ray Vision'

Kuda Bux, a famous magician born in Kashmir in 1905, captivated audiences in England and Europe in the 1930s and 40s with his extraordinary abilities. He would ride a bicycle through crowded streets with his eyes covered by lumps of dough, cotton swabs, and bandages, claiming to be able to "see without eyes." Bux's magic shows, titled "the man with X-ray eyes," showcased his ability to perform tasks such as reading and threading a needle while blindfolded in his signature style. His seemingly superhuman abilities inspired writer Roald Dahl and his story "The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar," which has been adapted into a film by Wes Anderson. Bux's journey into the world of magic began when he worked as an assistant to an Indian conjurer named Professor Moor. He traveled through various countries, learning tricks and skills from magicians and artists. Bux sailed to England in 1935, capitalizing on the West's fascination with Eastern magic acts. He quickly rose to fame with his X-ray vision act and endured tests conducted by skeptics to prove the authenticity of his abilities. Bux's most famous test involved fire-walking, during which he walked across burning logs without any blisters on his feet. He claimed to survive fire-walks by intensely concentrating on the fire, which he perceived as cold. Bux developed his "inner sense of sight" through exercises taught by a yogi, allowing him to perform his X-ray vision feats. Despite some skeptics challenging the authenticity of his act, Bux's popularity continued to soar. Thousands of people would flock to watch his shows, and he was even featured on television shows such as Ripley's Believe It Or Not. Bux eventually moved to the US and continued performing, leaving a lasting legacy in the world of magic. He passed away in 1981 in Los Angeles.