TLDR: Mumbai artist Spryk, also known as Tejas Nair, has launched ‘Neural Natak,’ an innovative audio-visual ‘Techno-Magic’ show. Debuting on November 6, 2025, in Bengaluru, the performance explores the illusions and capabilities of generative AI by drawing parallels to a modern-day street magician. The 50-minute show, a blend of traditional and cutting-edge processes, delves into the distinctions between human creativity and artificial intelligence’s emulation.
Mumbai-based artist Spryk, whose real name is Tejas Nair, has introduced his latest creation, ‘Neural Natak,’ an audio-visual performance described as a ‘Techno-Magic’ show. The conceptual work, which has been in development for approximately a year and gained significant momentum in the last four to six months, made its debut at the British Council’s Creative Convergence gathering in Bengaluru on November 6, 2025, at the Bangalore International Centre.
Spryk’s inspiration for ‘Neural Natak’ stems from his observations of AI-generated visuals. He notes, ‘It looks mind-blowing at first, but if you pay closer attention, you can start seeing the gaps clearly.’ This perspective led him to delve into the history of street magic in India, ultimately shaping the core concept of his new show. He views outputs from contemporary AI as replicating the actions of magicians, executing movements faster than the eye can see and employing visual trickery to create awe and belief in the impossible.
The artist, who previously explored the intersection of human emotion and artificial intelligence in his 2024 EP ‘Afterglow,’ has been experimenting with generative AI systems for several years, finding the workings of neural networks ‘quite fascinating.’ He elaborates on the distinction between human and artificial creativity, stating, ‘I think so much of modern AI is being designed and trained to closely emulate human behavior. However, what makes human creativity unique is not just knowledge but lived experiences. The emotional depth that we feel and can create through the things we make just can’t be felt by a machine. That is the essence that inspired this project.’
‘Neural Natak’ is a 50-minute experience presented as a short film accompanied by a complementary soundtrack. Spryk describes its creation as a mix of ‘traditional and cutting-edge processes,’ involving collaboration with visual artist EyeAmSid for its visual elements. The guiding principle behind the show is ‘techno-magic,’ a term Spryk uses to describe instances where technology behaves like magic. This concept is reflected in the show’s sound design, which incorporates a blend of industrial sounds with lighter, more ephemeral ‘magic’-like elements.
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Looking ahead, Spryk is in discussions with various venues across India and internationally to further develop and tour ‘Neural Natak.’ He envisions potential collaborations with traditional puppet artists, magicians, and folk performers to evolve the project into a larger touring production or even a festival commission. Additionally, the musical component of the project may be released as individual tracks or an EP, showcasing Spryk’s continuous ‘restless hunger to learn and experiment.’
