Magic carnival gifts a charm of magic for kids

Kindling a magic lamp: District Collect, Dr. M. Beena (fourth, left) lights a lamp to inaugurate the one-day Christmas Magic Carnival for children organised by the District Council for Child Welfare and the Magic Academy. Others from left: Superintendent of the Children's Park, Shaji; the council member, Shamsudheen; vice president of the council, Sinaba Mammu; Executive Director of the Academy, Gopinath Muthukad; Honorary Director of the Academy, R. Raja Moorthy, member of the council, Ignatius Lukose and the A.D.C. and Secretary to the Council, V.S. Soman.

More than 100 children of this emerging metro were led to a day of magical insight on 30th of December, during a Magic Carnival organised jointly by the Magic Academy and the Ernakulam District Council for Child Welfare (DCCW).

Art of misdirection: Gopinath Muthukad captivates children through a hand trick.

At the Library Hall of the Priyadarshini Traffic Training Park near the Boat Jetty, it was nearly 12 hours of fun, frolic and magical learning for children. The carnival was formally inaugurated by the District Collector and President of the DCCW, Dr. M. Beena at a function in which the chief guest was none other than the children’s favourite magic uncle, Gopinath Muthukad. Assistant Development Commissioner and Secretary to the DCCW, V.S. Soman welcomed the dignitaries whereas the Vice President of the Council Sainaba Mammu presided over the function. In the brief function, honorary Director of the Academy, R. Raja Moorthy offered felicitations and the member of the Council, Ignatius Lukose tendered vote of thanks.

Memorable class: R. Raja Moorthy trains children in memory enhancement tricks.

Prior to the inaugural function, the day was begun with a national integration video, ‘India: Magic of Harmony’ based on the visuals of the ‘Vismay Swaraj Yatra’ Mr. Muthukad and team have conducted from Srinagar to Kanyakumari. Following these were four enriching magic learning sessions that gave children a thoroughly close encounter with magic – the one many of them had for the first time in their lives.

S. Srikanth trains 10-year-old Eshwar a coin vanishing trick.

How according to their wish, magicians control the attention of their spectators during magic shows was demonstrated by Mr. Muthukad. To establish this ‘magic uncle’ roped in some of this his favourite hand tricks. Consequently, a woolen string cut into twelve pieces was but rejoined easily, a small red handkerchief was amazingly vanished over a white and bigger one and a coin was disappeared into thin air.

Mind over magic: Sherin V. George explains on the connection between psychology and magic.


Result was instant for the ‘Memory magic’ class by Mr. Moorthy. Participants immediately acquired the technique essential for listening to a list of 25 different things and recollecting them in ascending, descending and random orders.

Magical evening: People watch magician Muthukad's Stop SAD magic show on a temporary stage built on the lawns beside a pond at the park.

Afternoon sessions got a powerful start with a class on ‘Sleights of hand’ offered by the bank manager turned magician S. Srikanth. Mr. Srikanth, who is also former secretary to the India Ring of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, not only demonstrated ample number of magic tricks, but also made perfect one or two small tricks that some of the young fans already had a knowledge upon. The bank-man didn’t forget to train children perform a trick with kerchief and coin, just to uphold the message of saving today’s money for tomorrow’s good.

Amid fans: After their sessions, each faculty was immersed into a pool of love and affection from their little fans who circled around for getting an autograph.

How a magic show influenced one’s mind was the crux of Sherin V. George’s one-hour-long session. A researcher in psychology with the Kalady Sanskrit University, Mr. George led children through the corridors of logic to show how magic exactly breaks the logical cords of spectators’ minds.

Marking the culmination of the daytime activities, shown was ‘Wings of Illusions’ a video of magical translation presented by Mr. Muthukad based on ‘Wings of Fire’ the autobiography of the former President of the country, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. Hugely inspired by whatever they could gather from a daytime tour through the shores of magical ocean, children walked down to the lawns on the banks of the Park’s pond. There awaiting them was a magical evening.

Child magician Mohammed Shanu displays his talent during the magical night.

A rocking performance of ‘Stop SAD’ magic show by Mr. Muthukad and team sent strong sensitization against the curses of tobacco use, alcohol drinking and drug abuse. The magic show depicted the plight of a youngster who out of curiosity was led to the use of drugs. He becomes a strong addict to smoking, alcohol and drugs to earn a disastrous end to his life. Shortly after this meaningful magic show, the first rank holder of the Academy’s higher study for children, Mohammed Shanu came with his amazing performance. Clad in bright red suit, 14-year-old Shanu received good round of claps when he produced, vanished and transformed things with an experienced magicians ease. Then came a mind-boggling 45 minutes driven by the deft hands of Sherin V. George. A researcher in psychology, magician Sherin lived up to his profession, garnishing the entire length of his performance with more mind-effects than flash conjuring effects. Mr. George’s show had a notable level of interaction with his audience to set the waves of wonder engulf every corner of the open venue.

Magician Sherin V. George tries a mental trick on one of his audience members.


Earlier, Mr. Soman welcomed one and all to the magical evening. Mr. Lukose presented gifts for the magicians.

Much magic in stock for Cochin kids

Kochi: One-day Christmas Magic Carnival for children of age group 9-15, organised by the Magic Academy and the District Council for Child Welfare (DCCW) will be held on 30th of December at the Priyadarshini Traffic Training Park for children here.

The programme will comprise of a day-time training in the basic lessons of magical art and an evening ‘Stop SAD’ magic show against Smoking, Alcohol and Drugs by magician Gopinath Muthukad and team. Basic aspects of the magical art will be offered to around 100 children who have already given their names. In a function to be held at 10.30am, District Collector, Dr. M. Beena will inaugurate the event. Mr. Muthukad will be the chief guest.

The classes will be kicked off by Mr. Muthukad who will be teaching ‘art of misdirection’ a technique adopted by magicians to divert the attention of their spectators. Honorary director of the Academy, R. Raja Moorthy will teach magical methods to improve one’s memory power. A bank manager turned magician and former secretary of the India ring of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, S. Sreekanth will simplify ‘sleights of hand’. Connection between human mind and magicians’ performances will be unraveled by psychology research scholar cum magician, Sherin V. George.

A video show titled, ‘India: Magic of Harmony’ comprising of images of India as seen by Mr. Muthuakd and his troupe while conducting Vismay Swaraj Yatra from Srinagar to Kanyakumari, will be displayed in the morning at 9.50am. Another video based on ‘Wings of Illusions’ a magical translation given to ‘Wings of Fire’ the autobiography of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, will be shown in the evening.

Certificates will be distributed to participants during a valedictory meeting on a stage set on the pond-side lawns of the park. Following Mr. Muthukad’s Stop SAD magic show, the day-long programme will conclude with magic shows by child magician Mohammed Shanu and his master, Sherin V. George.

Christmas Magic Carnival for children

Christmas Papa to teach children some tricks this time.



Thiruvananthapuram: The Magic Academy is organising a two-day Christmas Magic Carnival for children of age group 9-15, who have not yet learned magic. The camp will find Christmas Father in the role of a magic teacher. The papa will be not only offering an hour-long magic class but also surprising children with a bag full of tricks and gifts.

The two-day event will be inaugurated by the Academy’s Executive Director, Gopinath Muthukad at 10.30am. He will teach children the art of misdirection. Magician Haris Thaha will appear as Chrismas Papa whereas his counterparts Sherin V. George and Karamana Reghu unveil ‘Psychology of magic’ and ‘Art of Presentation’ respectively. Young magician Abhinraj will explain the art behind wonders.A language class titled ‘Magic of Malayalam’ by Dr. Ezhumattur Raja Raja Varma and environmental awareness session named ‘Learn to live green’ by Dr. Akhila S. Nair are there to carry children to some of the real life facts. Humorist writer, Krishna Poojappura will teach children to ‘Live with a laugh’.

Children who attend the carnival will be provided with gifts, magic club memberships and certificates. First day will conclude with magic shows presented by magicians Dareas and Shahabaskhan Vilakath. Evening magic show on the second day will be staged by a team of child magicians named ‘Five Fingers’ comprising of Nadiya, Asmin Nayara, Anamika Gilton, Alina Gilton and Shanu A.R. – all students of the Academy.

Children who wish to join for the fair may register their names on or before 18th of December at Magic Academy, Poojappura, Thiruvananthapuram 695012. Phone: 471 2358910 Email: magicacademyindia@gmail.com.

‘Magic Crackers’ for children

Thiruvananthapuram: Blasting magic awaits children on the Diwali day. On 17/10/09 the Magic Academy is organizing a one-day programme titled, ‘Magic Crackers’ for children of age group 9-15. The event to be held at the Academys’ Wonder World Auditorium offers a chance for children to watch and enjoy magic of different types.

Vice Chairman of the Kerala Cartoon Academy, Adv. S. Jithesh will be drawing caricatures of 50 celebrities in five minutes to mark formal inauguration of the event. Honorary director of the Academy, Chandrasenan Mithirmala will preside over.

Teen magician Sujith will lead the beginning session of magic show with teaching. Magician Shaju Kadakkal will teach basics of magical art whereas magician Dareas and his counterpart, Jince Manimala are prepared to explain other related aspects. To fit to the celebration, each session is named as ‘Vismaya Poothiri’, ‘Vismaya Chakram’, ‘Vismaya Patakkam’. There will be 'Vismaya Kathina' comprising of magic shows by magician Shahabas Khan Vilakath and child magician Ananthu would mark a fitting finale.

Participants will get vegetarian lunch, certificates, one-year membership to the Magic Club and subscription to the monthly magic organ published by the Academy. Children who are already memebrs of the Club can avail concession in fee.

Interested children may register their names directly with the Magic Academy, Poojappura, Thiruvananthapuram during office hours. Last date: 12/10/09.
For more details, contact: 0471 2358910. Email: magicacademyindia@gmail.com

Children relish ‘Vegetable Magic’

Magician Shahabas Khan Vilakath introduces magic using vegetables to newcomers at the Magic Academy.

Thiruvananthapuram: Children who do not like the vegetable curries made at home, have readily enjoyed a dose of ‘Vegetable Magic’. The occasion was a class on magic using vegetables held on 18th of July at the Magic Academy for the newcomers. The vegetable wonders were demonstrated by 23-year-old magician Shahabas Khan Vilakath.

Standing in front of a chart showing pictures of fruits and vegetables, Mr. Vilakath produced a heap of real fruits and vegetables inside an empty glass vessel. Children, excited by the magic jostled and grabbed a few of these. ‘Panchendriya Vidhya’ using ‘Pancha Dhanya’ was also taught to the participants. In this trick, five grains from a bowl of rice were taken out and disappeared in a jiffy after placing each of them into the nose, eyes, mouth, ears and on the skin.

Mr. Vilakath, a native of Cherpulassery near Palakkad is fond of new experiments in the world of magic. For more than a year, he is working at the Magic Academy with the responsibility of gathering and distributing quality magic products for needy magicians.

Science Day Magic Camp on Feb. 21st

Dr. C.P. Aravindakshan elucidates the science behind a magic trick to a girl student at Magic Academy. (File)

Thiruvananthapuram: In connection with the Science Day on 28th February, the Magic Academy will be organizing a Science Day Magic Camp for children on 21st of February. Noted teacher and propagator of science, Dr. C.P. Aravindakshan will be taking class on the ‘Science in Magic’. Dr. Aravindakshan is a well known scientist to whom the life motto has been the popularization of science. The session would show how science helps magic to sustain its mystery.

Magic show
Maanav, child magician and son of Academy’s Director, R. Raja Moorthy, would present a magic show to mark culmination of the class.

Class timing will be from 10.30am to 12.20pm with a break of 15 minutes at 11.15am. Children between 8 and 15 years of age can attend this enlightening session. For advance registration contact telephone: 0471 2358910 or email: magicacademy@gmail.com.

Magic Kits get the summer’s approval

Thiruvananthapuram: The latest brand of children's Magic Kits launched by the Magic Academy has become hot cakes in the kids’ summer markets. Each of these boxes contains 30 easy-to-do tricks that enable even a 5-year-old to produce wonder at finger tips.
At Balabhavans
Jawahar Balabhawans (JBs) means the comprehensive childcare and character building centres run by the government. Magic Kits had a foray into the four walls of JBs too. “These magic kits were introduced for the first time in the JBs of the State and the response was overwhelming”, says the Academy’s Administrator Jayakumar. Highest sale was marked at Koodaram, a shop at the Thiruvananthapuram JB, he said. To befittingly introduce the kits, the Academy has also roped in the help of talented magicians including Manu Poojappura and Abhinraj. These magicians opened these boxes, took out the intriguing gadgets and performed round of astounding tricks, exciting the curious minds of the young.
Video teacher
With the aim of offering after-sale support, a CD containing video tutorial is also included for free in these kits. Master magician Rajamoorthy appears in the video, demonstrating the handling and working of all 30 tricks. This offers a home tuition for children. “We have insisted quality of materials to ensure that wrapper along with contents sustain their charm”, Thomas, Chief Operator of recently opened Magic Academy Research Centre (MARC) said. Shop owners who foreseeing a big demand for Magic Kits during summer had gathered a good number of them well in advance. And their predictions proved precisely right.
Recently, the leading kids’ shop chain, PAICO even had to hire a magician for dealing the children who crowded for the kits at their Ernakulam M.G. Road branch. StylePlus, a front-row kids’ shop in Thiruvananthapuram has already contacted magician Abhinraj for holding similar activities.
Personality development
Magic Kits are not mere a kids play for the Academy. Instead, these kits have certain serious roles in the character molding of the younger generation. When children become young conjurers using these kits, their personality also improves. Scientific temper and self confidence are the two major qualities that can be earned through practicing the magic tricks contained in the kit. “Each item in our box sparks the thinking process and induces a notable identity among those children who starts doing the tricks in front of gatherings of the classroom or home”, says Mr. Jayakumar. He also said that since the minimum age for an admission at the Academy had been fixed as 10, for toddlers below that age, buying Magic Kits has become a shortcut to learning the legerdemain.
As a gift
For those who are on a look for one-ff gifts, Magic Kits serve as a panacea. It has by now become a practice for the elders to present these kits as gifts to children on auspicious occasions. “Magic Kits give the gratification for the giver and excitement for the taker of gifts”, says 67-year-old retired Government official, Madhavan Nair. He says this from his experience of presenting the Magic Kit as a birthday gift for his 7-year-old grandson in Kozhikode.
Not driven by any profit motto, the Academy sells these kits at a break-even price of just Rs.199. More details on the kit can be availed at email: magicpurchase@gmail.com.

Magic Camp for KV students

Thiruvananthapuram: India being a big democracy of diversities, has differences in Summer vacation in its schools too. If its April-May in southern most Kerala, the summer holidays are usually granted during June-July for northern States and all educational institutions under the Central ministry, irrespective of the region. By this time, Kerala would have sent its children to the State-run schools to enjoy a fresh educational year. Students of the Kendriya Vidyalayas (Central Schools) in Kerala also get their summer holidays delayed.
It has become an unfortunate reality that quite occasionally, KV students who very much long to learn magic during vacation time misses the chance. This owes to the difference in holiday periods and that the cources at the Academy have been normally scheduled to suit the State run schools.
But this misfortune for the KV students has now become an old story. Magic Academy has opened a new door, exclusively for them. The Magic Academy will be organising a 10-day magic training camp for students of Kendriya Vidyalaya. Adept trainers led by the Academy’s Executive Director, Gopinath Muthukad will be taking classes. The camp will start on June 1. Class timing is from 10a.m. to 1p.m.
The course offers basic training in the art of magic with a special focus on personality development. Syllabus comprises of magic and science; arithematic tricks and workshop for improving memory power and concentration.
Interested candidates may register on or before 19/05/07. Phone: 0471 2358910, 9447768535. They can also send email registrations at: magicacademy@gmail.com # # #