Tahir Shah describes the unbelievable feats to be seen in many an Indian village

THE AUDIENCE quaked with fear. The man standing before them was astounding, even by Indian standards. Stained with greasy black paint, his body was adorned with mysterious symbols, his hair was matted with dirt and his eyes were fixed in a maniacal stare. He had four arms, a vile protruding tongue, a golden filigree crown on his head, and a garland fashioned from human skulls hanging over his chest. In one hand was a cleaver dripping with blood, and in another was clenched the head of a slain enemy. The crowd of 300 Bengali villagers edged backwards as the demonic figure addressed them. But, as I soon realised, their apprehension resulted not from fear, but from expectation. For the deity was about to perform a miracle.

Whispering cryptic incantations, the avatar - who was a devotee of Hinduism's bloodiest goddess, Kali - rubbed a thumb and forefinger together six times. Moments later, a plume of smoke was spiralling up from his fist. The villagers glanced at each other with wonder. Then the 'godman' performed his second feat. Stepping over to an urn of boiling oil, he plunged one of his four arms into the pot. There was no time for applause. Pausing to gargle liquid from a clay cup, the sadhu pulled a red-hot poker from his ceremonial fire and stuck it into his mouth. As before, he was oblivious to the pain and, as before, the throng of villagers clamoured with delight.

Traipse through the Indian countryside for long enough and you're sure to cross paths with an avatar, like this Kali deity, who was weaving his magic in a small village two hours west of Calcutta. Like him, thousands of others are making a good living as mystical advisers, healers, resolvers of disputes, dispensers of knowledge and as entertainers, all rolled into one. India's illusion business, booming as never before, hasn't enough godmen to go round. From Assam to Bombay there are vacancies for anyone who can put on a performance of miracles. The main, if unlikely, reason for the sharp growth of the profession is Harry Houdini (1874-1926) - real name Erich Weiss.