MAGIC WORDS Happy Birthday Facts: These are magic words professional magician Andrew Martin favors when he performs at children's birthday parties: "Instead of 'abracadabra,' the magic words are 'Happy Birthday!'" Harrahya Mystique: The magic word harrahya could be likened to the shout of a martial artist delivering a karate chop, focusing power toward an amazing conclusion. Origins: The word is exclaimed by a High Priestess at the end of an ancient chant. Ha-Ya-Ba-Ra-La Origins: The magic word ha-ya-ba-ra-la is of Indian origin. Facts: This word is the equivalent to abracadabra. It was popularized by children's writer Sukumar Roy (d. 192 ). In Literature: • Sukumar Roy, Ha-Ya-Ba-Ra-La (1928) Heba Haba Facts: These are the trademark magic words of professional magician Heba Haba Al (Al Andrucci), who performed in the years following World War II and became known as "the grandfather of Chicago bar magic." Asked how he got his name, Heba Haba Al recalled, "One night I was doin' a trick and they said, 'Say the magic word.' And I said, 'Heba haba heba haba.' And they started callin' me Heba Haba."7 5 Quoted by Annie Cieslukowski, "Planning the Perfect Child's Party," Toledo Blade (2004) 6 Lady Sheba, Lady Sheba's Grimoire (1972) 7 Mike Houlihan, "Magic Moments With Funny Jim [Krzak]," Chicago Sun-Times (2004)