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.

Magic-rich Maya

Luna-Losander duo heightens hope. Jayam Jammu, Poornima Prahlad, Indushree, Pearl Bhumgara and Ammu to display country’s female strength in magic. Kerala State Youth Welfare Board and Kerala State Women’s Development Corporation back the unique event.

Thiruvananthapuram: “The one day that benefits you more than a thousand days” was the slogan raised by the Magic Academy, ever since it announced the female-oriented historic event, ‘Maya 2010’. And now the programme schedule is finalized to keep up the essence of that slogan. 30th of May will have a bright beginning at 7.30am when all the delegates gather at the reporting spot set up at the Hassan Maraikar Hall, adjacent to the main venue, A.K.G. Memorial Hall.

Beginning session will have everything for the mind and body of the participants. Scrumptious breakfast, soulful performance by a handful of leading magic dealers and pretty convention bags are to provided for the delegates to give the first impression.

The first ever festival of female magicians will be then inaugurated at 9.45am at the main venue by the Minister for Health and Social Welfare, P.K. Sreemathi. Secretary, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Usha Titus will be present.

The brief function will be followed by one thing that is anxiously awaited by the delegates – erudite lecture class by the world’s No.1 lady magician, Luna Shimada. Before a delicious lunch is served at 12.30noon, peppy competition events in Close-up magic and very newly introduced Kitchen magic will happen.

The afternoon session begins at 1.30pm with competitions in Stage Magic by seniors that will be followed by a pedagogic teaching session by none other than Losander the ‘Emperor of Levitation Art’ in magic.

Stage Magic competitions for junior candidates will be held before the closing ceremony starts at 6.30pm. Then an array of leading female magic stars line up and present the best of their talents.

The gala begins with a spectacular performance by the magic couple, Luna and Losander.

Jayam Jammu with her famed shadow play, Indushree and her renowned talking dolls and Poornima Acharya with her stylish illusions are also among the performers.

Not over, the first and second prize winners will also display their winning performances.

Women of mega wonders

This watercolour image is obtained from the Internet and is pasted with due curtesey to the genious painter who created it.

“Woman is the companion of man, gifted with equal mental capacities” are the words of Mahatma Gandhi that we should not forget as March 8 marks the International Women’s Day. Women have the knack to fulfill multiple roles in the society, as mothers, wives, sisters, daughters, learners, workers, citizens, leaders and so on.
Indian women have been adorning thrones of power at various levels. They shine as Chief Minister, Prime Minister and now, even as the ultimate President of the Nation. Jhansi Rani and Sarojini Naidu are the forerunners in the legion of women courage of our nation.

Present generation of Indian women continue the tradition without any flaw and shine at various positions in and out of the country. If as an entrepreneur, Indira Nooyi, is the fourth most powerful women in the world, Shriti Vadera is there in the British PM’s office, as a special advisor. If Kalpana Chowla is a name eternal, Sunita Williams keeps our dreams aloft. Regiments of Indian women outshine in the areas of sports, politics, literature and what not - even in the defence of the Nation.

Hence for them to excel on the magic stages won’t be anything of difficulty. In this world of women emergence, let us keep the magic gates wide open for ladies. Let girls learn this awesome art and more women magical performers emerge. Native magical arena already have a good number of girls flourishing.

Let us encourage them by devising more customized magic suitable for women performers. Surely, a point for our magic manufacturers to take care of. As Gandhiji has once asked, who can make a more effective appeal to the heart than woman?

[Editorial of Feb. 09 issue of Vismayam Magical News]