Chief Minister, V.S. Achuthanandan lighting a traditional lamp marking the inauguration of Vismayam 2008. Also seen are (from left): General Convenor of the festival, M.B. Sanil Kumar; Chairman of SB Global, R. Balachandran; Tourism Secretary, Dr. V. Venu; Minister of Tourism, Home and Vigilence, Kodiyeri Balakrishnan; Minister of Law, Sports and Youth Affairs, M. Vijayakumar and Executive Director of Magic Academy, Gopinath Muthukad.
Thiruvananthapuram: “Under Gopinath Muthukad, magicians of the country are inspired to carry a fight for the win of virtues over evils” said the Chief Minister, V.S. Achuthanandan. He was addressing one thousand magicians assembled from various parts of the country and abroad, after inaugurating the four-day global festival of magic, Vismayam 2008 at the University Senate Hall on 1st May. The CM described the international convention as an admirable movement and wished every success for the same.
Magic for tourism stressed
During his presidential speech, the Minister of Tourism and Home, Kodiyeri Balakrishnan pointed that the international confluence was held at a time when magic was becoming more and more popular as an art. His department’s decision to support the event was chiefly because of the proven quality of magical art as a tourism catalyst.
Foil attempt flayed
The Vismayam 2008 was an endeavour to liberate the art of magic to the masses which required support from all corners, said the Minister of Law, Sports and Youth Welfare, M. Vijayakumar.
“It was the unwanted suspicion a section of people had, that has foiled the proposed magic show by Mohanlal”, the Minister told.
Chairman of SB Global, R. Balachandran spoke on the occasion. Tourism Secretary, Dr. V. Venu welcomed the dignitaries and Executive Director of Magic Academy, Gopinath Muthukad tendered vote of thanks.
Earlier, magicians came to the venue taking a procession accompanied by traditional percussions, men holding decorated umbrellas and a contingent of mounted police. The gates to University Senate Hall were thrown open to the magicians by Dr. V. Venu.
No comments:
Post a Comment