Magic Academy nurtures social responsibility and scientific poise: Minister

Duely honoured: Minister for Law and Sports, M. Vijayakumar (second right) presents the Magic Academy's lifetime achievement award 2009 to magician Junior Mandrake (Mani Antony) at the Wonder World auditorium of the Academy on 6th of March. From left: Gopinath Muthukad, Dr. George Onakoor, Junior Mandrake and Chandrasenan Mithirmala.

Thiruvananthapuram: Magic was an art that never kept its audiences bored, said the Minister for Law and Sports, M. Vijayakumar. This was the reason that prompted him to visit the Magic Academy again and again. The Academy through its diverse activities, was growing scientific poise and social responsibility, the minister added. Mr. Vijayakumar was speaking after presenting the Indrajala Pratibha Puraskaram, a lifetime achievement award instituted by the Academy to veteran magician Junior Mandrake. The award comprised of a purse of Rs.10000, a memento designed by artist Bhattathiri and a certificate of honour.

Free magic wares: Rs.5000 worth magic equipments were given for free to financially backward, but much forward in magic talent, Albin Roshan (left) of Kannur and Sudheesh S.A. of Thiruvananthapuram.

The Academy was in fact a realization of his guru, Vazhakunnam Neelakandan Namboodiri’s unfulfilled dream of establishing a school of magic, Mr. Mandrake said in his reply speech. Hence an award from the Academy was so dearest to him, the magician said. During his presidential address erudite scholar, Dr. George Onakoor opined that the Academy has introduced before society, the charm and beauty of the magical art.

Supporting education: Magic Academy's educational scholarships were distributed to (from left) Renuka B. Menon, Palakkad; Lijina, Kannur; Sabura, Alappuzha; Abi Shejrik Fasla, Wayanad and Sujith Kumar, Thiruvananthapuram

Ashwin Raj Elanjimattom (Ernakulam), Sanjusha Satheesh (Kozhikode), Yadunath Palliyath (Kasaragode) and T.B. Haridas (Thrissur), winners of a state-level magic competition held in Kochi, were presented with the Academy’s medals. Their performance followed the function. Eearlier, the executive director of the Academy, Gopinath Muthukad welcomed the guests and honorary director, Chandrasenan Mithirmala recorded vote of thanks.

Winners' pride: (From left below) State-level Vazhakunnam memorial competition winners, Ashwin Raj Elanjimattom, Sanjusha Satheesh, Yadunath Palliyath and T.B. Haridas receive Magic Academy's medals from the Minister, M. Vijayakumar.

Magic Academy award for Junior Mandrake

Thiruvananthapuram: 58-year-old Mani Antony who during his childhood fantasized Lee Falk’s cartoon character, Mandrake and later became a famous magician named, Junior Mondrake, has won this year’s 'Indrajaala Prathibha Puraskaram', a lifetime achievement award for magicians instituted by the Magic Academy.

Hailing from Kothamangalam in Ernakulam, Mr. Antony’s contributions in the field of magic till December 2009 were considered by the Academy for adjudging him the winner. The award comprising of a purse of Rs.10000, memento designed by artiste Bhattathiri and a certificate of honour will be presented to him by the minister of culture, M.A. Baby in the last week of February. The first recipient of this award was magician P.M. Mithra.

Mr. Antony started his magical life in 1970 by becoming a disciple to the grandfather of magic in Kerala, Vazhakunnam Neelakantan Namboodiri. He is among a few lucky magicians of the State to earn the traditional routines of cups and balls magic by sitting in ‘Padmasana’ in front of guru, Vazhakunnam. As a school student, he was captivated by vagrant street magicians. Enormous enthusiasm for the cartoon character Mandrake earned him the nickname, ‘Junior Mandrake’ in school. When he grew into a famous magician, he adopted this as his professional name. A post graduate in Sociology, his debut magic show was in 1974. He has performed over 3000 stages in and out of Kerala. ‘Mahajal’, his 3-hour-long magic show with 12-member troupe became a big hit during the beginning of 1980s. Through these performances, he could attract several youngsters to the arena of magic.

Mr. Antony owns a huge collection of valuable foreign books on magic and rarely found magic equipments. At present he is on an investigation to find more impressive ways of presenting close-up magic – the one that requires tremendous skill.

His daughter, Margaret and twin sons, Michael and Antony are to magic like ducklings to water. Selin is his wife.

Patron's speech inspires

Thiruvananthapuram: Patron of the Magic Academy, O.N.V. Kurup during his presidential speech said that not only in Europe, but also in Asian countries, particularly India and China, the art of wonder prevailed since ancient time. Such a performing art of enriched heritage needs due recognition, he said to the Cultural Minister.

Mr. Kurup expressed happiness to see that the Magic Academy Award has embarked on a fresh culture of mutual respect and recognition among magicians. “This award of the Academy is an endeavour of supporting fellow artistes instead of that crab nature, where persons beneath pull the legs of those above”, he pointed. Reluctance to respect the counterparts had been there in all walks of life since long ago. Even the epic poet Kaalidaasa had fallen prey to this. “It has been proved quite often that one poet won’t approve another poet”, the Padmasri laureate poet said this, sending waves of humour.

Magic to be included in the school curriculum to tackle superstitions: M.A. Baby

Magician P.M. Mithra receives 'Indrajaala Puraskaram 2008', the Magic Academy's first ever award for best contributions in the field of magic, from the Minister of Culture, M.A. Baby (second from right)in Thiruvananthapuram. Also seen are (from left) Academy's Executive Director, Gopinath Muthukad, Secretary, Krishnapillai Foundation, Dr. Ezhumattur Rajaraja Varma, Patron of the Academy, O.N.V. Kurup and Director of the Academy, magician Chandrasenan Mithirmala.

Thiruvananthapuram: Education Minister, M.A. Baby has told that he was determined to include magic as part of the syllabus in schools. He told that even though he was unbothered of the possible criticism to boldly do this with the major aim of dismantling superstitions. "New generations should be free of misconceptions. Our generations should no longer fall prey to any God men who pretend to have some supernatural abilities", Mr. Baby added. The Minister was talking after presenting ‘Indrajaala Puraskaaram’, the first award instituted by the Magic Academy for gross contributions in magic, to magician P.M. Mithra. The Minister also told that he has already held discussions with Gopinath Muthukad regarding the inclusion of magic shows as a demonstration item during school youth festivals.

During his presidential address, the Academy’s patron, poet O.N.V. Kurup has praised Mr. Muthukad’s endeavour of admiring one of his counterparts, even as crab nature was a curse among all fields of life. Mr. Kurup's suggestin to give more recognition from the Cultural ministry to the art of magic, was readily accepted by the Minister.

Mithra gives award money for a noble cause



During his reply speech, Mr. Mithra dedicated his achievement to his parents who had helped him during the past and to his wife Ansa for her supports now. In an admirable gesture, he handed over the entire cash award of Rs.10000 to the Cultural Minister, as a donation for the Bumper Lottery promoted by the Cultural Ministry for the welfare of artistes in the State.

An enthralling performance by Magic Academy's Director, magician R. Raja Moorhty.

Secretary, Krishna Pillai Foundation, Dr. Ezhumattur Raja Raja Varma offered felicitations. Following the function a magic show by the Academy’s Director, R. Raja Moorthy became an enthralling experience. Earlier Mr. Muthukad welcomed the guests and magician Chandrasenan Mithirmala tendered vote of thanks.

Magic Academy's award for P.M. Mithra

Thiruvananthapuram: 'Indrajaala Puraskaram' the first ever award for outstanding contributors among magicians, instituted by the Magic Academy goes to P.M. Mithra. Mr. Mithra has been sleected for the award in recognition of the extensive contributions he has made for over three decades, towards the development and popularity of the magical art. The award consisting of Rs.10000 in cash and a certificate of honour will be presented by the Minister of Culture, M.A. Baby in Thiruvananthapuram on 16th of January.

Mr. Mithra has taken up magic as a means to battle with the challenges of life. He was born and brought up in the rustic town of Melukavumattom in Kottayam. When he started learning magic in 1972, Kichu from Vaikom was his first guru. His debut performance christened, 'Mayajal' in 1982 became a grand success, earning him a name as a professional magician. As a magician, his ascend chiefly owed to the qualities of sincerity and dedication. In 80s, Mr. Mithra's magic shows were inevitable part of cultural fairs in the State. Easy and perfect handling of complex illusions was a major quality of Mr. Mithra that became a model for his counterparts. In 2002, the State honour was bestowed upon this veteran magician in the form of the Sangeeta Nataka Academy's award. 54-year-old magician has his wife Aansa, also as an assistant during magic shows. Children: Ashish, Aleena.



Academy's Executive Director, Gopinath Muthukad announces the award at a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram. From left are magicians, Chandrasenan Mithirmala and Vaidhar Shah; on the right are magicians: Rajesh Chandra and S. Sreekanth.

Opinions of major magic organizations in the State including Malabar Magic Circle (MMC), Cochin Magic Society (CMS) and the International Brotherhood of Magicians (IBM) were considered by the Academy for selecting the award winner. The award announcement was jointly made by the Executive Director of the Academy, Gopinath Muthukad; Directors, Chandrasenan Mithirmala and R. Raja Moorthy; former Secretary of the India Ring of the IBM, S. Sreekanth; Secretary of the CMS, Vaidharsha and Director, MMC, Rajesh Chandra were present for the press conference.