Magic students in Kochi show their strength

MAGIK gets a meaning: Executive Director of the Magic Academy, Gopinath Muthukad lights a lamp to inaugurate Magic Academy Alumni Group in Kochi (MAGIK) as the Chairman and Managing Director of the SB Global, R. Balachandran looks on.

If the first impression is the best impression, then the first batch of students at the Kochi Extension centre of the Magic Academy has fetched that too much. In the final examination of the basic course held on 8th of November, they reaped cent percent success comprising of 8 A grades, 13 Bs, 3 C grades and only one in the D level.

Driven by an exceptional quantity of enthusiasm, on 14th of November, they got-together at the Kerala Management Association Hall at Panampilly Nagar here. And their ambition was to launch an alumni organization and present their first performance before a gathering of their families, friends and of course, their guru of reverence, Gopinath Muthukad. The event, a joint effort of the classmates of the first batch, just lived considerably beyond one’s expectations.

Alumni group
In the presence of the Chairman and Managing Director of the SB Global Educational Resources, R. Balachandran, a traditional lamp was lit by Mr. Muthukad to mark the inauguration of the alumni organization, Magic Academy Alumni Group in Kochi (MAGIK).

Inspiring speeches
Mr. Muthukad made a speech that has led his listeners to a magical world built of words. The master magician told that he was a daydreamer as a child. Reclining on the lap of his father, he heard a lot of magical stories of Vazhakunnam. The child was of the misconception that by learning magic, he could have produced snakes that would bit and killed a household staff who the child disliked. “But later I learned that magic is a meaningful medium. Magic can be performed by every human being, but with dedication and practice. There is nothing superhuman with magic”, Mr. Muthukad said to the keenly listening students and their family members.

Mr. Balachandran whose was the idea that realized into an Extension Centre of the Academy in Kochi, said that magic is an art, science and fun that required serious practicing. Speeches concluded with an introduction by K.P. Sivakumar on the current activities of the 13-year-old Academy.

Magical debuts
Then the magical bash began with the entry of High Court lawyer turned magician, M.R. Hariraj appearing on the stage. Mr. Hariraj cut a small thread into many pieces and rejoined them into the original size and shape, to successfully dedicate the programme to the Gandhiji and thousands of freedom fighters of the country. One after the other students stepped into the magic stage in thorough cadence and presented their skill in style.

Creativity
Many common magic numbers were presented with uncommon ways of presentation. For example, veteran Jaykumar Rao proved his tongue’s ability and fingers’ dexterity through a totally new presentation of the equal-unequal rope number. Hitherto presented as a close-up trick, ‘Last Two Cards Match’ was made an illusion kind of pomp. Thanks to Sreekumaran, whose imagination gave a thrilling climax to the magical evening. There were young magicians, including Anjali Mohanan, Amita Anil, Dazzle Alias Dinil, Rinnu Udayan, Yohan M. Markose, Jaidev J. and Gopika Menon who were trying equally to establish a place second to none.


Standing as one: Group of students at the Kochi Extension centre of the Magic Academy during a photo session with Gopinath Muthukad.

Commendation

Noted promoter of art and culture, Soorya Krishna Moorthy presents ‘Ponnada’, a traditional shawl to magician Preeth (right) during a function held in Thiruvananthapuram. This was organised by the Magic Academy Alumni Association Thiruvananthapuram (MAAAT), in honour of an exceptional ability in magical art the 25-year-old Preeth has achieved, overcoming his congenital speech and hearing disorders. From left: Secretary of MAAAT, Chandrasenan Mithirmala; member, Sreena Sreekumar; noted poet, Ezhachery Ramachandran; Executive Director of the Magic Academy, Gopinath Muthukad and President of the MAAAT, Somasekharan Nair.

Magic Academy Alumni Association becomes operational

Minister of Law, M. Vijayakumar inaugurates Magic Academy’s newly formed alumni association in Thiruvananthapuram. Sitting from left: President of the organisation, Somasekharan Nair; writer, Dr. George Onakoor and Executive Director of the Academy, Gopinath Muthukad.

Thiruvananthapuram: Magic Academy Alumni Association, Thiruvananthapuram (MAAAT) has become operational. The organization was formally inaugurated by the Minister of Law, M. Vijayakumar on 10th of January. The inaugural function was held at the solemn ambiences of the Gandhi Park.

During his speech, the minister made several references to the visit he has made at the Academy ever since its inception in 1996. Mr. Vijayakumar was frank enough to express his ambition of learning magical art at the Academy.
“In fact I have been nurturing a huge passion for learning this amazing art from the Academy. But I suppress it since I am afraid if people would have a wrong notion that everything I do, even the development schemes, are magic”, the Minister said triggering laughter.

Erudite scholar, Dr. George Onakoor presided over the meeting. Mr. Muthukad’s words in felicitation of the event contained optimistic words that the newly formed MAAAT would stand at its own feet and do admirable service.

Secretary of the MAAAT, Chandrasenan Mithirmala welcomed the guests and its president, Somasekharan Nair tendered vote of thanks.

Yona makes it grand

1. Front view of a physically disabled standing in the posture of a magician. 2. Magician Yona through his latest conjuring trick was manipulating from behind to make a dream come-true scene.

Thiruvananthapuram: Magician Yona took his counterparts at the Magic Academy to the horizons of magical knowledge. At the 60th Perfect Performer Course at the Academy, it was not a trick or two, but a dazzling dozen!

Exemplary teaching
The twelve tricks shared by the great Tamil magician was more than enough for the participants. “I shall teach you a few tricks and would be so happy if I happen to see at least a pair of them performed on stage by you” was the statement with which he began his premium session. And the observations made by Gopinath Muthukad and Chandrasenan Mithirmala during their brief welcome notes were not proved wrong during the class that followed.

Discount sale
As a gesture of admiration for the guest magician, there was a ‘Yona-offered 5% discount’ in prices of magical equipments at the magic store. The response was so huge that many of the items recently stocked from the Funtime were sold like hot cakes. “All the 12 Christmas silks were sold. It was a day of good business at the store. Magicians liked our offer”, says Shahabas Khan, of the magic store.



Dr. Ezhumattur Raja Raja Varma speaking after inaugurating Magic Academy Alumni Association’s curtain raiser event. Also seen are (from left) Treasurer of the Association, Sreekumaran Nair; Secretary, Chandrasenan Mithirmala; Executive Director of the Magic Academy, Gopinath Muthukad and the Alumni’s President, Somasekharan Nair.

Alumni’s programme
Magic Academy Alumni Association, Thiruvananthapuram (MAAAT) could organize their curtain raiser event with grandeur. Thanks to the fabulous Chaplin Magic show by Mr. Yona. The show scaled high levels of magical creativity as well as comic presentation. In one of the items, he invited an audience member with slight disability of limbs. On stage, the magician stood hidden behind the person and performed a few attractive magic numbers, just to give a feel that not the magician, but the disabled person was doing them.

Wife’s debut
After the show, viewers jostled around the magician when the latter attributed the success to Manonmani, his wife who was there for the first time as his stage assistant.