Young magicians seize Fort Kochi

Magic for all: One fine morning last week, on the shores of the historic Fort Kochi where the main landmark is Chinese fishing nets, found spreading was net of magic. Thanks to junior magicians from the Magic Academy’s extension centre, who went for a picnic out there. Many tourists had an unexpected rendezvous with wonders as the budding magicians prowled around and offered magical entertainment for all. Children were accompanied by their masters in magic, Jince Manimala, M.R. Hariraj, M.P. Sreekumar and Ajithkumar. [PHOTO: M.R. Hariraj]

Dazzling ‘Five Fingers’

Five child magicians form professional magic troupe.


Magic of five: Mohammed Shanu A.R., Alina Gilton, Nadhiya S.M., Asmin Nayara and Anamika Gilton.

Thiruvananthapuram: Here is a team of five child magicians whose enthusiasm has glued them together into a professional magic troupe.

Titled ‘Five Fingers’ they introduce themselves as 14-year-old Mohammed Shanu A.R. in the position of the troupe’s thumb, 13-year-old Alina Gilton as point finger, 13-year-old Nadhiya S.M as middle finger, 12-year-old Asmin Nayara as ring finger and 11-year-old Anamika Gilton as little finger of their team. Why the name ‘Five Fingers’? They readily reply that it’s so because each one of them has an inevitable role in their show.

The idea of forming a troupe was sparked in their minds after a successful public show at Vailopilly Samskriti Bhavan here. The troupe, supposed to be the first one to be formed by child magicians, had no set back since then.

Their memorable performance was not on a formal stage, but on the lawns of Kanakakunnu Palace, where their service was hired by the Kerala State Science and Technology Museum for entertaining the crowd on the occasion of the lengthiest solar eclipse on 15th of January.

Held close to their hearts are certificates they have received from the Indian Institute of Space Technology. There, the ‘Five Fingers’ dazzled a group of school children in the evening on the same day when the former President, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam had inaugurated the camp.

When admiration galore, they with all humility attributes all success to the magic masters of the Academy who have guided them on the roads of magic. These kids also recall with thanks, the support provided by the Office Secretary, S. Sreejith Raj.

Toppers in Children's Higher Course

(From left. MA = Magic Academy; MARC = Magic Academy Research Centre) First Rank: Mohammed Shanu A.R. (MA), Asmin Nayara (MA), Shylesh (MARC); Second Rank: Amogh B.J. (MA), Suraj (MARC); Third Rank: Anamika Gilton (MA), John Martin (MARC). Certificates to 20 students who have successfully completed Higher Course in Magical Art and Science, were distributed by the Executive Director of the Academy, Gopinath Muthukad at a function held on 18th of January at the Wonder World auditorium of the Academy.

Magic earns him repute

Thiruvananthapuram: At the age of 11, Anzal A.H. was just one among the students of Manarul Huda Higher Secondary School.

It was then he joined for the summer vacation course in magical art and science at the Magic Academy Research Centre (MARC), Kazhakuttam. After two years, he is magician Anzal Kokkode whose fame spreads out of Panavur, his village.

A club named Kokkode Brothers has even come forward to sponsor the boy magician. “It is a great help. To my knowledge, my son is the first magician of this locality”, Anzal’s father, Kokkode Hassan says.

On 19th of December he performed for the first time at the Wonder World auditorium of the Academy. A group of 20 children, their parents, faculty members and staff of the Academy were held under his spell.

Team of child magicians to amaze Sun gazers

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala State Science and Technlogy Museum has roped in the service of ‘Five Fingers’ a magic troupe of child magicians from the Magic Academy to entertain the crowd that gather to watch the longest Solar eclipse on the lawns of Kanakakunnu palace on 15th of January. ‘Five Fingers’ constituted by junior magicians of the Academy comprises of five school children who bear ardent affinity for magical art and science.

14-year-old Mohammed Shanu designated as the thumb of the team, is the lone boy in the team. Others in this team of budding magicians are Alina Gilton as point finger, Nadhiya as middle finger (both aged 13); 12-year-old Asmin Nayara as ring finger and 11-year-old Anamika Gilton as the little finger. Joining with them will be three of their classmates from the Academy, Amogh B.J., Nikhil Mathew Thomas and Rahul G. They will be demonstrating Close-up magic, conjuring magic and juggling act respectively.

These little magicians will be strolling on the lawns of the Kanakakunnu Palace entertaining children gathered in the shades of trees.

Amazing Akash

Akash, the magic boy.

Thiruvananthapuram: His black shawl transforms into a bright red piece of silk. The silk then turns into a bouquet of flowers. Flowers then vanish to produce an unending cascade of colourful ribbons… Amazing numbers like these make this Class 7 student of the Baby Land school an extraordinary little magician.

Completed his basic and higher courses at the Magic Academy, Akash had his debut in a thoroughly dazzling way at the Academy on 21st of November. The occasion was the culmination of a Mathe-magic training by leading Mathematics teacher, K. Usha Devi.

Children who have been engulfed by the wonders created by the world of numbers thus had got their magic class wound up with wonders created by the nimble fingers of a magic boy.

Promising junior magicians

Young promises: Ananthu S. Nair (left) and Sujith S.

Thiruvananthapuram: Magic Academy’s hopes are heightened with the introduction of its disciples, 10-year-old Ananthu S. Nair and 18-year-old Sujith into the magic world.
Ananthu’s excellence in magic is all because of the huge amount of innate enthusiasm he has. The profound support he has been getting from home gives his magic an extra impetus.

A Class 5 student at the Christ Nagar HSS, Koudiar, Ananthu has got 3rd rank in the finals of a higher course in magic at the Academy. Latest, on 17th of October, he staged an exciting magic show as part of the Diwali magic camp at the Wonder World auditorium of the Academy.

Joining him on the day was Sujith whose magic bag is always replenished with new tricks. Sujith’s lecture cum demonstration proved his ability both as performer and teacher. He hones his magic skill by regularly attending the monthly Perfect Performer Course, the refresher course offered at the Academy for magicians. Recently, he was invited by a major textiles chain for performances during Children's Day.