Mission India's national leg begins

Together for the Nation: During the inaugural session of the Mission India's national part at the AMC College Centre, Lucknow, Gopinath Muthukad and team had this photo session with officers and soldiers of the Indian Army.

The force under spell

Soldiers got this close encounter with patriotic magic session as Gopinath Muthukad, holding aloft the tricolour stood amid the audience and continued his wonderful show.

At Charminar, AP magicians receive Mission India

Hyderabad: Late in the night on 19th of October, as the moon was bright up above, down below the famous Charminar towers bloomed was sheer friendship. Magic Academy's friends and patrons who are none other than renowned Andhra Pradesh magicians gathered in this Capital City for receiving Gopinath Muthukad, who was travelling through their area leading the India leg of the Mission India endeavour. Marri Ramesh, Raghu Babu, Ch. Krishna Murthy and a handful of gifted magicians of the locality were among the group. For Mr. Muthukad and his team of 24 deft assistants, the AP magicians offered comfortable amenities including a dinner. A photo session was also held at the Charminars.

Magical journey receives a farewell drenched in love

Hand in hand for India: Minister for Power, A.K. Balan inaugurates the official farewell offered by the District Administration of Palakkad to the magician Gopinath Muthukad's (sitting fourth from right) Mission India endeavour. Also seen are from right: Joby V. Chungath, Joy Sasthampadikkal, Superintendent of Police, Divakaran; District Collector, K.V. Mohankumar, P.A. Vasudevan and district Co-ordinator of the Magic Academy, K.C. Ramachandran.

Palakkad: A farewell drenched in love. That was what exactly the people of Palakkad could give for the Mission India entourage led by gifted magician Gopinath Muthukad, before the latter cross the State border at Walayar today. At 9am in the morning, a fitting function to salute the magical voyage team was organized by the District Tourism Promotion Council. In fact the programme was held to gesture the State’s admiration for the noble mission undertaken by the popular magician and team.

The Minister for Power, A.K. Balan flagged off the voyage at Kottamaidan as the entire crew assembled on the dais in perfect white uniforms – one thing that reflected well peace, the cause for which they march – carrying vibrant tricolours close to their hearts. “May be this is for the first time that magic is proved to be a medium for spreading such a pertinent message against terrorism and violence all over the country”, the Minister said in his speech. Member of Parliament, M.B. Rajesh; M.L.A., K.K. Divakaran; District Collector, K.V. Mohankumar, Superintendant of Police, E. Divakaran; veteran journalists, Joy Sasthampadikkal and P.M. Vasudevan also spoke in praise of Mr. Muthukad and his endeavour.

Flag off: Minister for power, A.K. Balan flags off the national leg of the Mission India voyage at Kottamaidan in Palakkad. Gopinath Muthukad, the leader of the voyage is seen waving hands from the bus. Dignitaries including the District Collector, K.V. Mohankumar (third from right) are also seen.

The entourage comprising of 6 girls and 19 men will now travel straight to Lucknow where the national leg of the magical mission would be inaugurated at the Army station. Thereafter, carrying regional translations of the presentation, the Mission India will be staged all over the country, especially the North East States. The patriotic voyage with free magic shows will then mark formal culmination at the Army station in Chennai on 30^th of November.

The Mission India is supported by the Indian Army, LIC, Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Federal Bank and HLL LIfecare Ltd. The Army provides food and accommodation along its stations whereas the IOC provides fuel for the three vehicles of the mission including a bus and two pickup vans.

The voyage began during sunrise from Gandhi Smriti, Kanyakumari on the 2^nd of October when the District Collector, Rajendra Ratnoo flagged off the tour. Later on the day, the Chief Minister of Kerala, V.S. Achuthanandan entrusted the National Flag to Mr. Muthukad for carrying as a source of motivation during the trials and tribulations of the voyage. Mr. Muthukad and team have already accomplished a Kerala leg of their tour under the aegis of the Kerala State Youth Welfare Board. All along the districts the programme received overwhelming response from the media and the public.

From Heart to heart: Magician Gopinath Muthukad being affectionately hugged by the Minister for power, A.K. Balan prior to the flag off ceremony for the national leg of the Mission India voyage as District Collector, K.V. Mohankumar; Superintendent of Police, E. Divakaran and M.L.A., K.K. Divakaran look on.

The Kerala leg of the mission also had ‘Shade of love’ (Snehathanal) another praiseworthy performance for school children organized under the auspices of the Kerala Forests and Wildlife Department. It was a magic show performed with the help of school children. Green saplings produced on the magic stage was handed over to children by scholarly personalities. Wherever Snehathanal was staged, a tree was thus planted to get a deep rooted love in the tender hearts for trees and environment. The State-level inauguration of the Shade of Love project was inaugurated by the Minister of forest, Binoy Viswam at a function presided over by the Opposition Leader, Oommen Chandy.

The Mission India has already crossed a couple of memorable episodes. One was the curtain raiser staged on the terrace of the Taj Hotel in Mumbai on 24^th of September. Second, the formal declaration of the mission by the Governor of Maharashtra, K. Sankaranarayanan in Mumbai.

‘Mission India’ begins on 2nd Oct.

Magic to be a teaching tool against terrorism and violence.

Swearing with Mumbai: Gopinath Muthukad and team perform at the Taj Mumbai as a curtain raiser of their upcoming endeavour, 'Mission India'.

Mumbai: Curtains raised on 24th of September at Taj Hotel Mumbai, for Gopinath Muthukad’s yet another feat for the Nation. A magic show described as ‘Swearing with Mumbai’ was duly performed on the pristine terrace of Taj hotel, a patriotic monument that stands tall, pronouncing before the world that India, like a phoenix can emerge over the flames of terrorism in no time. On the background of the stage was the monument of the 26/11 martyrs. The stage faced roaring Arabian sea and on its two sides stood the Gateway of India and the old block of the hotel.

Joint Director of the CBI, Rishiraj Singh inaugurated the show at a brief function. Deputy Commissioner of Income Tax, P.K. Vijayakumar; Defence PRO, Nambiar; noted media personality, P.K. Ravindranath and beauty queen, Parvathi Omanakuttan were present.

During the show, Mr. Muthukad and team were assisted by children from Lady Vishanji Academy. The event was organised by Shailaja Nair Foundation led by the CEO of FEI Cargo Ltd., Pratap Nair.

The magic show sent poignant messages of oneness and fraternity with which an attempt by separatists to divide mother India was foiled. Exuberant was the flamboyance of tricolour and resounding was the ‘Vandemataram’ slogans.

Earlier Mr. Muthukad paid floral tributes at the 26/11 memorial. In the evening the Governor of Maharashtra, K. Sankaranarayanan will perform formal declaration of the magical endeavour.

Fourth mission

‘Mission India’ is the magician’s fourth national endeavour of using magic for driving in messages of peace, harmony and amity. It is a 60-day voyage with free magic shows, starting from Kanyakumari on 2nd of October and culminating in Chennai on 30th of November.

Leading institutions of the country including Indian Army, LIC of India, Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Cochin Shipyard Ltd., Federal Bank and the HLL Lifecare Ltd. have joined with the mission as principal sponsors.

Kerala leg

At 11am on the Gandhi Jayati day, the Chief Minister, V.S. Achuthanandan will formally handover the National Flag to Mr. Muthukad for carrying throughout the mission. The function at the Tagore Theatre here, will be presided over by the patron of the Magic Academy, Prof. O.N.V. Kurup. Cultural Minister, M.A. Baby will deliver keynote address. M.L.A., N. Sakthan will felicitate the function. From Kollam to Kasaragode the mission will be supported by the Kerala State Youth Welfare Board.

Shade of love

All over Kerala, the magic team will perform a customised magic show christened, ‘Sneha Thanal’ (Shade of love) for spreading environmental thoughts among school children. This is a programme to be held with the support of the Forests and Wildlife Department of Kerala, participating school children from one school in each of the 14 districts. State level inauguration of this event will be performed by the Minister of Forest, Binoy Viswam at 9.30am on 30th of September at the SMV Higher Secondary School, Thiruvananthapuram. At the function, chaired by the Opposition Leader, Oommen Chandy, Minister of Youth Welfare, V. Surendran Pillai will deliver keynote address. Poet, Sugathakumari will hand over a communal harmony tree to children.

National episode

In the morning on 17th of October, as the Kerala chapter of the magical mission concludes in Kasaragode, the magical entourage will begin their journey into the heart of India. A bus for carrying men and two trucks for carrying materials form the fleet. Led by Mr. Muthukad, the 24-member team including 6 girls will be travelling huge distances by road daring topographical challenges before their mission concludes in Chennai on 30th of November. During their travel, Mission India magic shows with virtuous messages will be performed on the stages offered by the Indian Army as well as civilian NGOs.

At cantonments and camps, the Army will provide food and accommodation for the entourage. Fuel for the three vehicles will be given by the IOC.

Jansuraksha Award presented

Award time: Kavitha Muthukad, wife of Gopinath Muthukad along with their son, 5-year-old Vismay Muthukad receives 'Janasuraksha Award' for national integration from former ISRO Chief and architect of Chandrayaan, Dr. G. Madhavan Nair at Gandhi Bhavan, Pathanapuram in Kollam district on 12th of August. The award was instituted by the Gandhi Bhavan International Trust and was declared for three persons including the Minister for Forests, Binoy Viswam (third from left) for his contributions in the field of environmental conservation and noted journalist, Nikesh Kumar. Mr. Muthukad was selected for his unique contributions in promoting national integration through the art of magic.

Magic Camp kicks off in Kochi with an amazing Mathe-magic show

Sublime start: Legal luminary, retired Supereme Court Judge, V.R. Krishna Iyer inaugurates the summer magic camp at the library hall attached to the Traffic Training Park of the Ernakulam District Council for Child Welfare. He is flanked by (from left) Joint Secretary of the Council, V.M.Shamsudheen; Executive Director of the Magic Academy, Gopinath Muthukad; District Collector, Dr. M. Beena; Vice President of the Council, Sainaba Mammu; Assistant Development Commissioner, V.S. Soman; Committee member of the Council, M.M. Salim and Superintendant of the Park, K.P. Shaji.

Kochi: The summer magic camp for children jointly organised by the Ernakulam District Council for Child Welfare (DCCW) and the Magic Academy began here on 6th of April with a call by legal luminary, the Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer to use magic for unveiling truth behind fallacies and a stunning demonstration of magic in mathematics by the chief of the Academy, Gopinath Muthukad.

“Muthukad is making an admirable attempt to empower our younger generation. While learning magic, children should acquire the power to identify the truth of science behind everything we see in our life”, Mr. Krishna Iyer said during his inaugural address. “The reality remains within the visible exterior, and through learning magic, we get the power to see the inside of whatever we see”, he added.

District Collector and President of the DCCW, Dr. M. Beena presided over the function. She expressed the hope that the social responsibility upheld by the Magic Academy and its guide, Mr. Muthukad would reflect in the lessons imparted during the summer magic camp. Assistant Development Commissioner and Secretary of the DCCW, V.S. Soman welcomed the guests. Vice President of the Council, Sainba Mammu; Joint Secretary, V.M. Shamsudheen and committee member, M.M. Salim spoke on the occasion.

Mathe-magic
Soon after the inaugural function, it was the turn of Mr. Muthukad to stage a specially crafted magic show supported by mathematics and psychology. Four children were picked from the audience. While they formed a circle around magician with their eyes blindfolded, the magician took a paper and pen on which he wrote something apparently reading the minds of the four. The prediction was enclosed in an envelope and was clipped at the tip of a string that hung above a shallow vessel carrying differently numbered tokens from 1001 to 9999, by Dr. Beena.

Maths, Magic and Mind: A scene from the Mathe-magic show by Gopinath Muthukad.

Now the children were set free to approach the vessel carrying the heap of tokens and pick in random two tokens each in their hands. Now they had to write these numbers on the writing boards kept on two sides, on the stage. Sum of these numbers were calculated by the Dr. Beena and Mrs. Mammu. These totals were now written on a third writing board kept on the centre of the stage. The dignitaries worked out the total of these numbers, too. The final total was boldly written.

Now, as requested by Mr. Muthukad, Dr. Beena approached the envelope carrying the prediction and opened it. Now the paper was handed over to Mr. Iyer. He red it out alound through microphone and the number matched exactly with what was arrived on the board. Children, their parents and dignitaries were hugely impressed at the performance of the magician that surely pronounced that mathematics was a friendly subject. “See there is nothing supernatural with what I did. It is simply a play of mathematics that anybody can perform after thorough practicing”, Mr. Muthukad declared.

Caught in magic: Children who came to attend the summer magic camp seen engrossed by the the mathe-magic demonstration.

Following this video show titled, ‘The Greatest Illusions of Muthukad’ was held to demonstrate different faces modern magic. Then chapter first of the magical art was introduced before curious children by Mr. Muthukad who was supported by other faculties including Advocate Hariraj, Sreekumar and Ajith Kumar.

Magic Classes to begin with Mathe-magic feat

Kochi: Summer Magic Camp for children jointly organised by the Ernakulam District Council for Child Welfare and the Magic Academy led by ace magician Gopinath Muthukad, will begin on 6th of April. At 10.30am on the day, Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer will inaugurate the Camp at function to be presided over by the District Collector, Dr. M. Beena. The Library Hall attached to the Priyadarshini Traffic Training Park will be the venue.

Following the function, Mr. Muthukad will stage his latest feat in magic incorporating children gathered there. Christened, ‘Maths, Mind and Magic’, it’s a presentation combining intriguing elements of mathematics and sleights of hand.

In an interesting turn of the show, a team of blindfolded children will be picking at random, tokens heaped in a shallow vessel. With these numbers, children work out some mathematical problems on two writing boards. Now the challenge before the magician would be to predict the final answer of the lengthy calculations. Adding suspense will be an envelop hanging over the audience carrying a prediction written by the magician.

Through this performance, handed down to the children will be scientific poise to identify the deceit behind predictions made by certain people who claim to have superhuman abilities.

'Prediction Magic' dumbfounds Dubai

Magical maestro's 20-day UAE tour begins with a magic thriller.

Art of Prediction: Gopinath Muthukad displaying the prediction paper carrying signatures of seven dignitaries, on the first day of the stunt.

Dubai: One of Gopinath Muthukad’s most baffling numbers, the ‘Prediction Magic’ literally floored hundreds of people in daylight here. The show was held at the premises of the highly secured UAE Exchange’s Al Ghusais branch.

On 16th of March, in front of hundreds of people who thronged, the magician in black suits stepped forward, opened the doors and entered an aluminium cage. In no time, the door was perfectly locked with the magician inside.

From within the cage, the magician wrote his prediction. During this critical action, tension was vivid on his face. At occasions, he was seen plunged into deep contemplation.

After completing his writing, he folded the paper and handed it over to one of the dignitaries. If the first dignitary placed the folded prediction inside a small box, locked it and kept its keys in his own pocket, there were six more doing the same, but using bigger boxes.

All the seven people, who had earlier put their signatures and UAE Exchange’s official stamps on the prediction paper, left the venue taking away the keys of corresponding boxes. First part of the amazing show concluded at this point of time. The boxes rested inside the heavy security locker of the company and the magician walked out of the cage.

Next day, in addition to the custodians of the keys, led to the venue were a good number of inquisitive people. But the place for the chief performer of the entire stunt, Mr. Muthukad, was still inside the locked cage. Chief attraction of the programme, the boxes, were first retrieved from the locker. Dignitaries lined up and checked the seals and knots of the clothe cover. Satisfied, they opened the boxes one after the other.

Finally, the smallest box was opened and the prediction paper taken out. President of the Indian Media Forum, E.M. Ashraf along with others, first verified and ensured that their signatures were correct. When he read the magician’s prediction over microphone, it was thoroughly amazing to find each prediction coincide word by word with the headlines of the newspapers. Spectators’ praise was expressed through a huge applause. An elated magician was now jumping out of the cage where he stood all these time without a single interference. He was at the pinnacle of jubilation, but was down to earth to claim no supernatural power behind his act. “It’s pure magic trick perfected through perennial practice” he said to the media.

“Incredible, but indispensable. Ambiguous, yet amazing. Evoking such thoughts in the minds of reporters and other spectators, Indian magician Gopinath Muthukad came through flying colours in his ‘headline prediction performance’…”. If these were the beginning sentences of a Khaleej Times report on the next day, the tone and tenor of other media reports were not so different.

Wonder of seven awards

Acknowledged: Gopinath Muthukad presents a memento to Jithu Kolayad in honour of the latter's film winning seven titles in the State Television Awards 2008, at a function in Thalassery organised by the All Kerala Photographers Association.

Thalassery: Mother, a tele-film made by the official videographer of the Magic Academy, Jithu Kolayad, has bagged seven awards in the recently declared Kerala State Television awards for 2008. The cinema received awards for Best tele-film, best director, best producer, best screen play, best editing and second best actress. The film was screened during the International Film Festival of Kerala and the Indian International Film Festival, Goa.

Mr. Kolayad’s contributions in producing the popular travelogue, ‘India: Magic of Harmony’ based on Gopinath Muthukad’s Vismay Swaraj Yatra was highly appreciated by viewers.

Magical sojourn for NIT campus

How magicians engineer fabulous effects is being explained by Gopinath Muthukad at the National Institute of Technology, Kozhikode.

Kozhikode: Students and staff members of the National Institute of Technology here found a magical sojourn on 6th of February. Thanks to a Workshop on Magic organised by the Forum for Dance and Dramatics and CAD Centre of the campus in association with the Magic Academy. The workshop was a great success, says Hariram Shankar a participant. Impressive faces of magic and its interesting aspects were unveiled by the Executive Director of the Academy, Gopinath Muthukad and Honorary Director, R. Raja Moorthy.

About 300 students of the NIT, their faculty members and their family attended the 3-hour-long event. The programme began with a video show titled, 'India: Magic of Harmony' a national integration travelogue based on Mr. Muthukad's Vismay Swaraj Yatra of 2007. Magician Muthukad performed a few tricks and he didn't forget to teach how to do some of the tricks. Kept enthralled by this beginning session, the audience was then led to a still captivating second part of the event. It was an interesting lecture cum demonstration by Mr. Moorthy who clearly showed the tricks, technology and science behind magnificent magic tricks. "In total, it was an infotainment show which satisfied all the participants" said Mr. Shankar.

Magic kits that produce magic kids

Thiruvananthapuram: The Magic Academy has come up with its new range of educational magic kits for children. This time there are two types of kits worth Rs.200 and Rs.300. If the first kit has just 25 engrossing magic tricks, the second one carries gadgets for performing 50 easy-to do magic tricks. Both these kits comprise of a multicolour instruction book with pictures and a teaching video CD containing magician R. Raja Moorthy's lessons. With these kits hitting the shops, the Academy hopes the prowess of magical art can carve out a generation driven by magical talents, logical thoughts and rational thinking.
These kits will be available with all leading toy shops in major towns of Kerala. The Magic Space of Bangalore led by magician Giridhar Kamath and patronised by magician Nakul Shenoy, has taken up the job of providing these unique kits for the Academy.

Muthukad's magic for U.A.E.

Magic in the air: The Baseline Advertisers, U.A.E. has augmented their publicity drive for making the upcoming magical extravaganza titled,'Magic in Arabia' presented by Muthukad and team a grand success in different cities of U.A.E. Seen above is an e-format of one of the posters of the impending event. The magic tour is scheduled for February 2010.

Sun under the spell of Moon!

Lengthiest solar eclipse of the millennium captivates.


Gopinath Muthukad the propagator of the science and art in magic was floored to see the magic of the Moon that has transformed the Sun into the form of a silver ring. In this photo we see the acclaimed magician watching the solar spectacle from the premises of the Magic Academy in Thiruvananthapuram, using special glasses. All the staff at the Academy had a glimpse on the marvel. At the same time, 'Five Fingers' a team of child magicians from the Academy is entertaining the crowd on the lawns of the Kanakakunnu Palace at the mega event organised by the Kerala State Science and Technology Museum.


One of the chief characteristics of the annular solar eclipse is that at the time of eclipse sunlight forms circular shades on falling opaque objects. In this image you find such shades produced on the tiled courtyard of the Magic Academy while the sunlight fell on the leaves of garden plants.

Magical zest in Zurich

Gopinath Muthukad inaugurates Bharateeya Kalotsavam in Zurich, Switzerland on 9th of January. From left: Mercy Parassery, Babu Pullely, Susan Von Surry (behind Mr. Muthukad), Fr. Thadevoos Aravindath, Fr. Varghese Nadackal, Soby Vettickal and Celine Kakkassery.


Linked to magic: At the Bharatiya Kalotsavam, there was magic aplenty in the air with Gopinath Muthukad's presence.

Magic with a message

Here is a video of Gopinath Muthukad staging Cine-Magic with the message of environmental conservation. It was staged on the floors of much popular Munch Star Singer contest for child singers on Asianet TV. The weekly programme has been retaining a growing rating due to the talent of the participants, wisdom of its judges including gifted singers, Sujata and Venugopal and the magical messages of Mr. Muthukad.

Awesome magic carries AIDS day message

Magic of Red Ribbon: Health Minister, P.K. Sreemati with Gopinath Muthukad performing a magical launch of information kit released by Kerala State AIDS Control Society in Thiruvananthapuram.

Thiruvananthapuram: State-level function organised by the Kerala State AIDS Control Society (KSACS) was held at the University Senate Hall here on the 1st of December. To carry the messages of the World AIDS Day, the KSACS has roped in the assistance of Gopinath Muthukad and his magic. A connoisseur of magical communications, Mr. Muthukad did his job in a thoroughly fascinating way. In between his 120-minutes’ entertainment magic show titled, ‘World of Illusions’, he inserted a few customized magic to speak poignantly on the facts on HIV and AIDS.

The magician began his performance as usual with a thrilling appearance and production of a team of artistes from nowhere. After a few electrifying items the time came for magic with a message. “There are four major ways of getting HIV infection. This includes unsafe sexual relations, unhygienic syringes, transfusion of unsafe blood and an infected mother from whom the child in the womb gets the infection”, Mr. Muthukad started with saying these. Then a young energetic football player was introduced.

The magic show then sketched a story of this youth who out of curiosity tries for the first time in his life, a dose of drugs from the syringe gifted by his friends. However he averted a big danger and got his life elongated. Thanks to the Joythis Kendra were he was tested for free and confirmed HIV positive and the Ushus Kendra where he got free Anti Retroviral Treatment. Final message of the show was this: “Anybody can become HIV positive, but they can lead a happy life through timely tests and prompt intake of ART medicines. Remember, HIV infection is as manageable as Diabetes”, saying this, the magician stopped the magic with a message and continued with his stellar entertainment part of the show.

The World of Illusion then continued with all its glitter and glamour carrying the spectators to a world of fun, fantasy and fascination. Doctors and health workers of the KSACS were all praise for the magician who conveyed the messages in an impressive style.

In between, the Minister of Health, P.K. Sreemati was invited to the stage and was given a magic wand. In no time the minister tapped a blank frame with the wand, envelop embedded with a large red ribbon was produced inside the frame. And that marked a magical way of launching information kits to be distributed for health centres.

Waves of wonder rock Tirur

Tirur, Malappuram: Three-day magic festival organised by the Magic Academy with the support from the Municipality of Tirur offered a whirlpool of wonders for the town. The festival was held during 27-29 November at the Wagon Tragedy memorial municipal town hall. To herald the pomp there was an extra performance on 26th exclusively for the students of Bharatma Senior Secondary School here.

Tirur is a historic town in Malappuram, the home district of Gopinath Muthukad. For the people of his soil, Mr. Muthukad had ‘World of Illusions’ an amazing new edition of his entertainment shows. The show comprised of a sumptuous mix of awe-inspiring magic, elating music, hip hops, drama and light and sound spectacles.

Profile of an overwhelming audience of a day at the three-day wonder fair.

Three days of the event were marked by an overflowing crowd in the hall and beelines of people at the ticket counter. The Municipality’s support was mainly because of the free magic show the Academy had offered for spreading health and hygiene messages and the publicity offered to the slogan, ‘Clean Green Tirur’.

Surprise guest: Noted lyricist and composer, Kaithapram Damodaran Namboodiri visited the magic troupe at the Government Rest House on one of the festival days.

The funds raised through the magic festival would be used by the Academy for various welfare measures it has undertaken for magicians.

In need of tickets: People beeline at the entry point.

Cartoonist gifts Alice in Wonderland experience for kids

PM in a jiffy: Cartoonist Jithesh displays his Super Speedy Toon Show by swiftly sketching a caricature of Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, marking the inauguration of Magic Crackers programme for children at the Wonder World Auditorium of the Magic Academy. Honorary director of the Academy, Chandrasenan Mithirmala, faculty member, Shaju Kadakkal and P.S. to Executive Director, K.P. Sivakumar look on.

Thiruvananthapuram: Magic Crackers, a one-day programme for children got a blasting beginning at Wonder World auditorium of the Academy. Cartoonist Jithesh wielded his marker pen on a plain white board and the rest was beyond imagination. He was inaugurating the programme through his latest presentation called, ‘Super Speedy Toon Show’. In five minutes, the cartoonist created around fifty celebrities in swiftly drawn lines. It was not just drawing caricatures, but he was presenting it as a show garnished with funny comments and interesting stories. The swiftness of the artist was exceptional and the characters were too clear that even a child could identify the personality in the picture.

Chandrasenan Mithirmala handing over a certificate of appreciation bearing the signature of Gopinath Muthukad, to cartoonist Jithesh. Shaju Kadakkal on left and cartoonist Dwijit on right are also seen.

An hour baffling experiences were then unveiled before the curious minded children when a teen magician Sujith displayed his dexterity in magical art. This magic show was followed by an exciting class on magic by Mr. Kadakkal. He, with his years-long experience as a language teacher, was easily carrying children to the world of unbelievable where balls vanished, doves appeared and currencies multiplied.
In the afternoon magician Dareas elucidated the ways to solve puzzles. It was followed by a joint session by magician Jince Manimala and Sujith.

In the evening, a high voltage magic show by magician Shahabas Khan Vilakathu and 12-year-old magician Ananthu marked a stylish finish for the day-long event. Ananthu received rounds of applause for the single reason that he was outdoing the challenges of congenital impairments to speak and hear. Director of the Academy, R. Raja Moorthy presented certificates to participants.

Earlier, the inaugural session was presided over by the Honorary director of the Academy, Chandrasenan Mithirmala. Magician Shaju Kadakkal offered felicitations. P.S. to the Academy’s Executive Director, K.P. Sivakumar gave welcome speech and Reprography Head, S. Hari tendered vote of thanks.

Have a handful of sparkling wishes!

Second leg of Stop SAD starts rolling

Minister of Excise, P.K. Gurudasan inaugurates second leg of 'Stop SAD' mission by Gopinath Muthukad at the Shanghumukham beach in the city.

Thiruvananthapuram: Second leg of Kerala tour by ‘Stop SAD’ traveling magic theatre conceived and presented by magician Gopinath Muthukad was formally inaugurated yesterday, at the Shanghumugham beach here by the minister of Labour and Excise, P.K. Gurudasan.

Catching a message: A fisherman keenly watches as magician performs on the moving magic theatre.

M.L.A., V. Surendran Pillai and Commissioner of Excise, C.K. Viswanathan were among the dignitaries present on the dais. Stop SAD mission, similar to its earlier phase, is being organised jointly by the Magic Academy and the Excise Department. The inaugural ceremony was held with the support from Council of Coastal Residents' Associations.

En route its journey from the Capital to Kasaragode, the moving magic theatre would concentrate on magic shows in educational institutions. The voyage will conclude on 25th of October at Kasaragode. There will be two shows in each district. First show in Thiruvananthapuram was held in the forenoon yesterday at Nellimoodu.

Incredible performer and imposing messages

The first phase of the Stop SAD travelling magic theatre was started from Thiruvananthapuram on 11th of February this year, receiving a flag from the hands of Chief Minister, V.S. Achuthanandan. Magic shows by Mr. Muthukad and street play created by scriptwriter Karivelloor Murali and director, Pramod Payyannur are the chief contents of the moving theatre.

Attentive: A good turn out of the members of the coastal residents' association was there.

During the first phase of the voyage there were incidents of addicted people confessing and taking oath in front of the magician to quit smoking, drinking and chewing tobacco products. Women from the shattered families of alcohol addicts demanded the conduct of the magic show at their villages. Several NGOs were also of the same demand. It was in this context that the Minister of Excise had decided to conduct of the programme in the grassroots, especially along educational institutions.

Minister, P.K. Gurudasan and M.L.A., V. Surendran Pillai congratulate the crew of moving magic theatre, after the show at the beach.


Huge crowd of students attended the first performance at Nellimoodu school.