Honour in a land, far away

Enterprising endeavours of lawyer-magician, Sudheer Madakath were duly honoured at a function organized by the Kasaragod Association – Bahrain. Mr. Madakath’s show could steal the hearts of a horde of dignitaries including the Ambassador of India, Dr. George Joseph. Dr. Joseph presented a plaque to the young magician on 21st of May at the Indian School Auditorium.

'Vismay Malhar' a sublime tribute: CM

Chief Minister, V.S. Achuthanandan presents a memento to Gopinath Muthukad, the chief architect of Vismay Malhar after the programme’s debut in Thiruvananthapuram. (From left) Choreographer, T. Divya; script writer, Sreekanth Kottakkal; film star, Devan in the guise of Swathi Thirunal; actor, Poojappura Radhakrishnan in the attires of Kottarathil Sankunni and patron of the Magic Academy, O.N.V. Kurup look on.

Thiruvananthapuram: Vismay Malhar, latest spectacle on the magic stage by Gopinath Muthukad, had its triumphant debut at Tagore Theatre here on 30th of May. In witness of the inaugural presentation of the unique show, was a packed audience comprising of scholastic, theatrical and literary personalities. Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan inaugurated the event, watched through its entire length and honoured the artistes with mementos. “Muthukad’s Vismay Malhar is a sublime tribute to the great writer Kottarathil Sankunni and his 100-year-old work, Aithihyamala”, commented Mr. Achuthanandan. The CM honoured the artistes with mementos offered by the Information and Public Relations Department.

Classic creation
A mix of magic, music, drama and cinema, Vismay Malhar is a classic creation. It begins with an old man on cine screen, telling the story of the writer, Kottarathil Sankunni. 100 years ago, Sankunni’s fascination for the mythical as well as factual stories of Kerala had resulted into ‘Aithihyamala’, a valuable collection of legends. As the man on the screen turns the leaves of the Aithihyamala, the character Kottarathil Sankunni appears on a bright stage. Magical scenes follow in a chain as the writer imagines about the musical powers of Maharaja Swathi Thirunal of Travancore and the magical talents of Kaipuzha Thampan a magician who was so darling for the Maharaja.

Characters come alive
All of a sudden Thampan, the magician steps out of a portrait hung on the wall. A baffled writer bows his character and expresses his desire to see the Maharaja alive. Four people appear there, carrying a palanquin on their shoulders. They astonish to find the palanquin lighter and the Maharaja disappeared. However Thampan makes a magical gesture and reappears the Maharaja.

Magical rain
When the Maharaja Swathi Thirunal made his wish to see the magic of bringing rain, Thampan had no hesitation. At the magic spell of Thampan, brought live on stage was the majestic beauty of rain. The ambience turned dark, rocked by lightning, thunder and a powerful wind. A heavy downpour, as wild and as beautiful, followed.

Touching end
An end is there for everything - for the enticing meeting of the three characters, too. When Swathi Thirunal started wielding a magically produced Veena and dancing damsels appeared from nowhere, no one thought that the King along with the musical instrument would float in the air, levitate and merge among the clouds. But it happened. Then it was the turn of the magician himself. Offering best wishes to the writer, Thampan entered into a big text of legends that was placed over the writing table, and disappeared.

At the end, as lyrics of poet O.N.V. Kurup resounded in the sweet voice of singer, G. Venugopal, Sankunni resumes his passion of writing.

Honouring artistes
A gathering of eminent personalities assembled on the stage while Mr. Achuthanandan presented mementos to the artistes. Poojappura Radhakrishnan and Devan who lived in the roles of Kottarathil Sankunni and Maharaja Swathi Thirunal, respectively; script writer, Sreekanth Kottakkal; singer Mr. Venugopal and Mr. Muthukad who not only conceived the programme, but also donned the role of magician Kaipuzha Thampan, received mementos from the CM.

Each word, an honour: Creative team behind the Vismay Malhar listen keenly as the Chief Minister, V.S. Achuthanandan speaks after the show. From left: Anand U.B., Pramod, Thara, T. Divya, Sreekanth Kottakkal, Gopinath Muthukad, Devan, Poojappura Radhakrishnan, O.N.V. Kurup, Minister of Power, A.K. Balan; poetress, Sugatha Kumari; singer, G. Venugopal; Sindhu, Ganga, Anand Mezhathur, Antachan and Director of Information & Public Relations, M. Nandakumar.

Lal’s tips cheer up Malhar team

Thiruvananthapuram: The magical figure of filmdom, Mohanlal attended the final rehearsals of Vismay Malhar held at the Tagore Theatre here on 29th May. On the rehearsal floors, he was present with a childlike curiosity to see magic, his passionate art.

He was all claps while his colleagues, Devan and Poojappura Radhakrishnan shined on the magic stage as Swathi Thirunal and Kottarathil Sankunni respectively. His eyes twinkled on seeing his magic guru, Gopinath Muthukad applying magic to levitate characters and create a downpour on stage.

He also had an interaction with the team members of the programme. Mr. Muthukad said the tips gifted by the great actor had enabled him to present Kaipuzha Thampan with added perfection.

“Vismay Malhar is a beautiful creation. I appreciate Mr. Muthukad for the same. In fact I longed for recreating the tales of Aithihyamala through television serial, but could not realise it. Now I am very happy to see that on Mr. Muthukad’s magic stage, due recognition has been brought for the legendary book”, Mr. Lal said.

Magic Academy’s contributions unparalleled: Binoy Viswam

Minister, Binoy Viswam speaks after inaugurating the Magic Academy’s 13th anniversary. (From left) R. Raja Moorthy, Gopinath Muthukad, M.L.A., N. Sakthan; O.N.V. Kurup, Dr. George Onakoor and Chandrasenan Mithirmala.

Thiruvananthapuram: Minister of Forests and Housing, Binoy Viswam has told that the contributions to the State’s cultural arena by the Magic Academy, were unparalleled.

Using magic for educating as well as entertaining the people, was an admirable model the Academy has set, the minister added. Minister was inaugurating the 13th anniversary celebrations of the Academy at a function chaired by its patron, O.N.V. Kurup on 31st of May at Tagore Theatre here.

Kamala Surayya remembered
The function began with a condolence message on the death of writer, Kamala Surayya. The message read by the executive director of the Academy, Gopinath Muthukad told that Kamala Surayya through her inimitable capability in writing, could lead multitudes of readers to a world of magical enchantment. Erudite scholar, Dr. George Onakoor gave keynote address.

The Academy’s directors, Chandrasenan Mithirmala and R. Raja Moorthy spoke. The function was followed by ‘World of Illusions’ magic show by Mr. Muthukad and team.

Science, art and innovation together make magic sustain

POLL RESULT (June -3, 2009)

================
Magic survives whenever science, art and innovation are mixed together says 63% of our readers

18% is of the opinion that magic sustains when innovation alone is safeguarded

10% says it can be attained by looking after the art factor alone

9% says magic survives on the element of science alone

Vote for issues of still more interest!

This year: JANUARY: (1 2 3 4)

FEBRUARY: (1 2 3)

MARCH: (1 2 3 4)

APRIL: (1 2 3)

MAY: (1 2 3 4)

JUNE: (1 2)

LAST YEAR: (2008 Jan. - Dec.)