These words sketch Maya 2010

In his recent mail to the e-group, Indianmagique@yahoogroups.com, magician Clifford N. Parekh had this much to say on his experience at the Maya 2010:

Thanks to Magician Gopinath Muthukad for making the Maya 2010 a Golden lettered day in the history of Indian Magic!

With an attendance of only 150 delegates, to undertake such a mammoth task and to go full steam ahead with all the events as scheduled is once more, a testimony of the strong foundation on which the Magic Academy stands tall.

Maya 2010 was a dream come true for the Indian Magicians who got the opportunity to meet the king of Levitation Losander from Las Vegas. The delegates witnessed excellent tips on levitation from Losander, and a top notch Gala show which showcased Losander's world famous levitation acts and Luna's unique fire ball zombie effect. After his lecture, Losender's original Levitation kit (3 CDs+props) was available for 1/3 the price in the international market.

The lady contestants/participants were really great with some surprises coming up like Mrs Jayam Jammu's mesmerizing Shadow Play, Perl Bhumgara's stylish return as a magician (First prize winner in senior Conjuring & second in kitchen), some baffling and rib tickling Ventriloquism by Indushree and the cherry on the cake – Mrs. Yona's first prize winning kitchen magic act. ( You had to see it to believe it !!!)

Three cheers to Magic Academy, Three cheers to Magician Gopinath Muthukad & Three cheers to Magic.

Moral of the story: When Magic Academy organizes a convention - Don’t miss it.
- Clifford

Maya 2010 winners

On the victory stand: (From left) Magic Mano, Tamil Nadu (First, Kitchen Magic); Pearl Bhumgara, Maharashtra (First, Stage Magic Sr.; Second, Kitchen Magic); Ramyasree, Andhra Pradesh(First, Stage Magic Jr.); Zenia Bhumgara, Maharashtra (First, Close-up Magic); Indushree, Karnataka (Second, Stage Magic Sr.); Nadhiya S.M., Kerala (Second, Stage Magic Jr.; Second, Close-up Magic). Find a special report on the newly introduced Kitchen Magic below.

Grand finale for Maya 2010

Burning passion: Luna Shimada performs on the stages of Maya 2010.

Thiruvananthapuram: With all its grandeur, the world’s first convention of woman magicians came to a close at 6.30pm on 30th of May. In front of an august gathering, stage was turned aglow with flames of vibrant magic by the world's most celebrated magic couple, Luna Shimada and Losander.

The magic couple definitely lived to the huge expectations of the audience. It was a bliss for the eyes to see show smoothly the parasols were created one after the other by the deft hands of Mrs. Shimada.

Emperor of Levitation: Losander's graceful show of levitating table, his own creation, during Maya 2010 finale.

For Mr. Losander, each item was his own brainchild. When he presented the levitation table inviting a small boy to the stage, it was one of the loveliest scenes. He simply floored the spectators with tremendous lot of grace, beauty and skill. Even his thumb tip act could give the feel of watching a show far ahead of some of the great illusions. And at the conclusion, there was the most fitting gesture to express the whole respect and boundless of love for these guests who travelled a long distance to make Maya 2010 brighter with magic: a standing ovation.



Magic couple honoured: Kerala's Minister for Health, P.K. Sreemathi honours Las Vegas magic thrillers and guest performers of Maya 2010 by presenting mementos. On the dais are (from left): magician and former chief secretary of the State, Lizzie Jacob, patron of the Magic Academy, O.N.V. Kurup and the chief organiser of the Maya 2010, Gopinath Muthukad.

The function thereafter on stage was attended by the Minister for Health, P.K. Sreemathi, Minister for Law and Sports, M. Vijayakumar, Chairperson of the Kerala State Women's Commission, Justice D. Sreedevi, former Chief Secretary turned magician, Lizzie Jacob, Magic Academy's Patron, O.N.V. Kurup and the Executive Director of the Academy, Gopinath Muthukad. Mementos were presented by Mrs. Sreemathi in honour of the magic duo. The function had a duration just to honour rest of the lady stars of the two days. Consequently, mementos of honour were presented to the magical trinity, Ammu, Indushree and Pear Bhumgara who rode mopeds blindfolded on the previous day as a forerunner to the event. Then it was time for showing respect for ventriloquism artiste, Jayam Jammu and composer, Nitha for setting an attractive group dance for the inaugural function held in the morning.

Following first and second prize winners were also handed over with trophies and certificates. Kitchen Magic: Magic Mano, Coimbatore (1st); Pearl Bhumgara, Mumbai (2nd)Close-up Magic: Zenia Bhumgara, Mumbai (1st); Nadhiya S.M., Thiruvananthapuram (2nd)Conjuring Jr: Ramyasree, Hyderabad (First); Nadhiya SM, Thiruvananthapuram(2nd)
Conjuring Sr.: Pearl Bhumgara, Mumbai (1st); Indushree, Bangalore (2nd).

Magic spread its wings of wonders once again with the performance by first prize winners. The feast for the eyes was further garnished with a mesmerising shadow play by Mrs. Jammu. Ms. Indushree has literally spellbound viewers with her much skilled ventriloquism deputing three puppet assistants.

They are historic winners

Historic winners: The first prize winner in the newly introduced Kitchen Magic category in the world's first woman magicians' convention, Maya 2010, Magic Mano (Manonmani) from Coimbatore receives her trophy and certificate from the Minister for Health, P.K. Sreemathi at the closing ceremony of the convention. From left: Magician and former Chief Secretary of Kerala, Lizzie Jacob; world's No. 1 lady magician, Luna Shimada; the Minister of Law, M. Vijayakumar; Patron of the Magic Academy, O.N.V. Kurup and Chairperson of the Kerala Women's Commission, Justice D. Sreedevi.

Below, the runner up of the category, Pearl Bhumgara of Mumbai receiving her trophy and certificate from the Minister for Law and Sports, M. Vijayakumar. Emperor of Levitation art, Losander is also seen.

Kitchen Magic with spicy sequels

Introduced for the first time, Kitchen Magic proves peppy.

The magic oven: Magic Mano of Coimbatore during a thrilling sequence of her Kitchen Magic competition show during Maya 2010.

In her daily chores, taps running out of water and shelf without vegetables won't deter the woman magician from Coimbatore, Manonmani. Not that she is the wife of renowned Tamil Nadu magician, Yona, but because of her own magic kerchief which has the might to produce everything needed in daily life, from thin air. With this ability, she won't mind even if there is little cooking gas in the cylinder. By waving her kerchief she can kindle flames anywhere and produce not only cut vegetables, but also a live hen with an egg. Or else this is exactly was what she has demonstrated on the stages of the newly introduced Kitchen Magic competitions during Maya 2010.
The show had all the grace and excitement. There was not even a single moment when people thought that it was th debut public performance by a lady who had hitherto been a talented assistant to her magician husband. Adopting the name 'Magic Mano' on stage, she could drive her effort into fruition. If the audience, who were experienced magicians from around the country gave a thorough round of applause, the three judges had unanimously adjudged her show as the best.

Recreation at their kitchen: Zenia Bhumgara (left)and her elder sister Pearl Bhumgara showed how kitchen can be a place for recreation if the ladies learn some magic.

Scoring just behind Magic Mano was a lavishly talented Maharashtrean girl, Pearl Bhumgara who came to the stage in a typical wear of her region. In fact it was a neck to neck fight between Pearl and her sister Zenia Bhumgara. If Pearl produced a cabbage and floated it in air, Zenia turned milk into milk powder, and water into rice.

The Kitchen Magic received rich backing from the delegates during a debate held in the break time.

Ladies do magic with thier life: Sugathakumari

For the women of wonders: Poetess Sugathakumari (second from right) lights a ceremonial lamp to mark the inaguruation of the world's first convention of woman magicians in Thiruvananthapuram on 30th of May. She is flanked by (from left)Secretary, Department of Social Welfare, Usha Titus; the Minister for Health, P.K. Sreemathi and Member, Kerala State Youth Welfare Board, Latha.

Thiruvananthapuram: Acclaimed poet and environmental activist, Sugathakumari has opined that in this modern time, ladies do lot of magic to manage with the chores of their life. She was speaking after inaugurating the world’s first woman magicians covention, ‘Maya 2010’ joingtly organised by the Magic Academy, Kerala State Youth Welfare Board (KSYWB) and the Kerala State Women’s Development Corporation. Both at home and at places of work, ladies are forced to pull the cart alone. Among them were talented magical artistes who needed support. The Maya 2010 was hence an admirable endeavour from the part of Gopinath Muthukad, his Academy and the Government agencies that support this event, Mrs. Sugathakumari added.

Radiant show: Group dance by girls provided an enchanting start for the whole event.

There are a number of ladies who have proved their talent in the arena of magic. But Maya 2010 is the first event of its kind to encourage them, said the Minister of Health, P.K. Sreemathi during her presidential address. Social Welfare Secretary, Usha Titus and Member of the KSYWB, Latha spoke on the occasion. Los Angeles magic theatres’ thriller, Luna Shimada was present.

The inaugural function was resplendent of women excellence. For example, the magicians were led to the venue by a team of ten female percusionists. The reception counter was also deputed with lady staffs. The function began with a dance performance by a group of seven danceus to the tunes of a song written by O.N.V. Kurup and composed by M.G. Radhakrishnan.

Female percusion: Magicians gathered for the Maya 2010 are being led to the venue by a group of energetic woman percusionists.