Summer Magic Camp for children

Thiruvananthapuram: For children of age group 10-15, the Magic Academy’s Poojappura and Kazhakuttam branches organise summer vacation magic camp. The camp will be held during April-May at three centres: one in Kochi and two in Thiruvananthapuram.

Catching Cochin Kids

In Kochi, classes will begin on 6th of April and will conclude on 31st of May. Venue will be the Library Hall attached to the Priyadarshini Traffic Training Park governed by the District Council for Child Welfare (DCCW). The event will be inaugurated by the legal luminary, Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer at a function to be presided over by the District Collector, Dr. M. Beena at 10.30am on 6th of April. To give the initial thump, Gopinath Muthukad will present a stylish demonstration of Mathe-magic feat. In this remarkable show, children who gather there can also join the magician in making the magic happen.

The two-month-long programme is held with the support from the DCCW. Classes will be held from 10am to 4.30pm through Monday to Friday. This comprises of an hour long training in Yoga, couple of hours for scientific training in magical art and after noon sessions comprising of interesting creative sessions ranging from folk songs to origami and cinematography to acting.

For tots of Trivandrum

Venues for learning magic are two in this Capital city. Wonder World auditorium attached to the Magic Academy's headquarters at Poojappura and the Magic Academy Research Centre within the KINFRA Film & Video Park at Kazhakuttam are going to offer vacation course in magical art for children. Class timings at Poojappura will be from 9.30am to 4.30pm through Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Each day’s session comprises of Yoga (9.30am), scientific training in magical art (11am), practicing of magic (2pm) and a creative session comprising of juggling, origami, communication skills, origami (3pm).

At the MARC, classes will be from 8.30am to 1pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Eminent teachers

A team of eminent magicians led by magician Gopinath Muthukad will deal with the magic lessons whereas experts in corresponding areas will handle other sessions. At the end of the courses, there will be a practical test. Winners will get the Academy’s certificates. Meritorious students can join for a higher course through Sundays from June onwards.

The summer magic camp is designed also with an aim to inculcate social responsibility among children. The Academy looks forward to create a team of young conjurers capable of performing magic against tobacco, alcohol and drugs and to promote qualities like patriotism and communal harmony.

Interested children may submit their bio data with photograph at Poojappura or Kazhakuttam office of the Magic Academy on or before 27th of March. Mob. 9446078535, 9447768535 Email: magicacademyindia@gmail.com. In Kochi, contact place is the Park Office, Priyadarshini Traffic Training Park near Boat Jetty. Tel: 0484 2361050.

Magic - the hobby for all

Poll Result (2010 February 3)

===============

Magic would be an engrossing hobby for professionals like engineers, scientists and technocrats remarks 78% of our readers

It cannot be so, says 22%

Vote on issues of still more interest!

2010 January (1 2 3)

2010 February (1 2 )

2009 RESULTS: (2009 Jan. - Dec.)

2008 RESULTS: (2008 Jan. - Dec.)

Magic fans laud Hritik learning magic

Poll Result (2010 February 1)
===============

Bollywood star Hritik Roshan is to learn magical art from an Ukrainian magician for the purpose of a cinema shooting. How do you feel?

Excited. It will make magic more popular: Lauds 73%

No. It should not do good for magic: Laments 27%


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2010 January (1 2 3)

2009 RESULTS: (2009 Jan. - Dec.)
2008 RESULTS: (2008 Jan. - Dec.)

Photo courtesy: http://www.tradebit.com

Freedom to teach and to be taught

[Editorial appeared in the August number of Vismayam Magical News]

Magic grows into a flowering branch of entertainment tree with the grace of artistic talents of its performers. It sustains with the support of scientific inventions and technological growth.

From Arctic to Antarctic, magic tricks are the same. But its performers vary, their creativity differ and the supporting aspects of science vary.

When in the beginning decades of 20th century, Harlan Tarbell conducted a postal course in magic, no English magician feared of a bleak future. When Tarbell, due to a recession in 1930s released his course notes in the form of 7-volume Tarbell’s Course in Magic, nobody was shocked. Instead our predecessors in magic gladly accepted it as their Bible in magic.

If everybody learn the same trick and perform, who will enjoy? This is a common concern quite often heard in the magic circles. But there is nothing to be concerned about this.

Classroom study makes all equal. But only creativity makes us different. In short, learning magic means undertaking the responsibility of being creative. To be a magician is not a job told for idle persons. Good lot of responsibility is needed while teaching, learning and presenting magic. It is essential that to be successful, a magician needs to be agile, aspiring and inclined to learn and teach.

Hand in hand, we celebrated the 63rd Independence Day of the country only a week ago. On this occasion, let us do not forget that freedom is there, to teach and to be taught. So in magic, let us take more and give more.

Hearty Onam greetings to all!

State-level ‘Kiddys Guddys’ magic camp for children

Thiruvananthapuram: The Magic Academy in association with the Kerala State Science and Technology Museum (KSSTM) organizes a two-day science magic camp for children of age group 10-15.

The camp will be held on 19th and 20th of September at the KSSTM auditorium at PMG here with the objective of nurturing scientific poise and artistic talents among children. Renowned Karnataka magician, Prahlad Acharya will be the Teacher of Honour on the occasion. Executive Director of the Academy, Gopinath Muthukad; magicians, Chandrasenan Mithirmala and R. Raja Moorthy are other teachers to offer magic training to children. Erudite scientist, Dr. C.P. Aravindakshan and Space Scientist, Dr. U.P. Rajeev will take lessons that unveil the science behind magic and the magic created by branches of science.

Ventriloquism by Mr. Acharya, magic shows by child magicians, Albin Roshan (Kannur) and Mohammed Shanu A.R. (Thiruvananthapuram) are also going to be part of the magically drenched two days. Besides certificates of participation, children who attend the camp will get one-year membership in the national Magic Club and one-year subscription to the monthly organ of the Academy. Besides these, the latest Malayalam magic book titled, ‘Magic Magic’ written by Mr. Muthukad will also be given to children.

Interested children may register their names by submitting bio data on a white paper at the Magic Academy, Poojappura, Thiruvananthapuram 695012. Last date: 14th September. Phone: 0471 2358910. Email: magicacademyindia@gmail.com

A school of wonders for the Queen of the Arabain Sea

Magical colours: Kochi has many enchanting faces.

Kochi: This city, the beauty of which has earned it the sobriquet, 'The Queen of the Arabian Sea', would get its school of wonders, soon. Magic fans of the city can get into a classroom, sit together and learn their beloved art of amazements. But wait till 16th of August when at 10am, the Minister of Culture and Education, M.A. Baby will be inaugurating an Extension Centre of the Magic Academy at Panampilly Nagar here. The 13-year-old Academy's academic service is extended to Kochi with the profound help provided by SB Global Educational Resources Pvt. Ltd., the cannoisseurs in career education.

Offered at the Kochi branch is training in magical art fitting for children aged 10 and above, and seniors including employees, job seekers and all those who pursues professionalism in life. Classes will continue through Sundays till 1st of November. There will be two separate batches from 10.30am to 12.30pm and 2pm to 4pm.

The training will empower participants to take magic as a means for self-employment or a hobby. Engrossing sleights of hand techniques to enhance memory power, concentration and self confidence are also in the lessons. Taught to school students will be aspects of magic to make mathematics and science more interesting subjects.
Besides Mr. Muthukad a horde of masterly magicians including the honorary directors of the Academy, Chandrasenan Mithirmala and R. Raja Moorthy; Karnataka's leading illusionist, Prahlad Acharya; expert Mentalist and co-founder of the Magic Space, Bangalore, Nakul Shenoy and former secretary to the Indian Ring of International Brotherhood of Magicians, S. Sreekanth form the teaching faculty.

Details on the admission procedures can be availed by contacting phone: 9744664335, 9447768535 or e-mails: magicacademykochi@gmail.com, pr@sbglobal.in.

Joy of juggling

Child students at the Magic Academy enjoy their hands on experience in juggling under the supervision of magical maestro, R. Raja Moorthy. This is as part of training the Academy offers in the afternoons in allied areas of art and science during the on going summer vacation magic camp. For many of these kids, trying juggling is for the first time in life.

Summer magic camp begins

Children curiously look at as wonder blooms at the magic class. A scene on the inaugural day of the Summer Vacation Magic Camp at the Magic Academy.

Thiruvananthapuram: Summer magic training at the Magic Academy began with all fun and frolic. Gopinath Muthukad was the teacher for the first day. For the first class, he taught the children a trick wherein a coin vanishes into thin air on rubbing over one’s body. Children liked the trick very much. Even though their first attempt to do the trick at their own failed, glitches vanished during their consecutive trials. “Magic is like this. Practice, practice and practice only make a magician perfect”, the magic teacher said to the enthusiastic disciples. The first class also gave them the key principles of misdirection, essential for keeping things from the attention of the audience.

Magic uncle's session: Inaugural class by the Academy's Executive Director, Gopinath Muthukad.

The summer magic camp offers training in yoga and magical art during forenoon. Language, science, personality development, juggling and memory enhancement are trained in the afternoon.

Language expert, Dr. Ezhumattur Raja Raja Varma inaugurated the camp. Mr. Muthukad, who is also the Executive Director of the Academy, presided over. Directors, Chandrasenan Mithirmala and R. Raja Moorthy spoke on the occasion. The camp woudl conclude on 31st of May.

Magic of Malayalam: Language expert, Dr. Ezhumattur Raja Raja Varma addresses children after inaugurating the summer magic camp.

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.

Wonders juggled at magic camp

Thiruvananthapuram: The one-day magic camp orgnised by the Magic Academy as part of its New Year programmes, offered a different experience of awe for children. Basic lessons of juggling was handed down to the young magic fans, by 'Ianna Tampe' a group of Italian magicians.

Children began testing their juggling skills by tossing balls in the air. For a while, the foreign guests and native kids shared together moments of sheer enjoyment, fun and laughter. Joseph Pistone, Daniel Pistone, Elizabeth Mugavare and Martha Cornelio were the juggling teachers. Children made it to juggle with two or three balls, but failed to copy the flexibility of body with which their Italian teachers performed. The Italians, who were acquainted to Kathakali as well as Kalaripayattu kept their audience spellbound with a 15-minute performance of acrobatics, Indian dance, music, magic and juggling.

The one-day camp also gave the lesson that magic is an art based on science. Dr. Aranmula Hariharaputhran explained on the wonders that science contain. Building and launching of rockets, installation of satellites on orbits etc. were explained through a slideshow by space scientist turned magician, Dr. U.P. Rajeev. Consequently, the children were carried to the skies of wonder.



A high school teacher – cum magician, C.V. Harilal taught how learning can be made interesting through acquiring a know-how in the magical art. The camp concluded with a captivating magic show by child magician, Jithu Suresh. Earlier the programme was inaugurated by the Academy's Director, R. Raja Moorthy. K.P. Sivakumar spoke on the occasion.

New Year Magic Camp for children

Thiruvananthapuram: Children, are you juggling with new hopes at this New Year?
Stop dreaming. Now its time for your dreams to come true: the Magic Academy, as part of its New Year programmes, has decided to host a one-day magic camp for children of age group 8-15. The camp will be held from 10.30am to 4.30am on 17th of January at the Wonder World auditorium of the Academy.

Basic lessons of magical art, juggling and magic based on science are included in the camp. There will also be an experts’ session to introduce some the amazing facts of science. These classes will be led by Dr. Aranmula Harihara Puthran, Dr. U.P. Rajeev and C.V. Harilal. A team of Italian performers will be there to offer basic know-how in juggling.

Children who are members of the Magic Club should pay only Rs.100 whereas for others, the fee will be Rs.200. This is inclusive of lunch. Children who wish to take part in the camp may register their names with the Magic Academy, Poojappura, Thiruvananthapuram on or before 10/01/09. Tel: 0471 2358910, 9447768535. Email: magicacademy@gmail.com.

Stage set ready for Onam Magic Fest

On 6th Sept., Magic Academy offers two magic classes, Traditional lunch, video and magic shows for magicians.

Thiruvananthapuram: As Kerala gets ready to be engulfed by the joy of Onam, its State festival, stage is being set ready for an Onam Magic Fest at the Magic Academy. The Fest is also going to be the 57th monthly PPC embellished with engrossing full day activities on 6th Sept.


Magician Leons George

Since the chief day of Onam falls on the second Saturday, the Academy has decided to shift the ensuing PPC to the first Saturday. The day will be an action packed one, comprising of two classes, one each in the fore noon and after noon; two video sessions, a grand Onam feast in the form of traditional ‘sadhya’ and magic shows. A class on Silk Magic by Leons George and another on ‘Effective Patter’ by Dibya Guha constitute the educative part of the festivities. Magic shows and video sessions add to the entertainment.


Dibya Guha

Parallel to this, held at the magic shop will be a grand Onam Sale. There will be an additional offer of 5% discount in prices of magic wares. Those who wish to avail this discount may cut the coupon given below and present it at the time of purchase. Registration fee for this Onam PPC is Rs.300.

Teaching the ways of freedom on the stage

Magic Academy organises Independence Day special class by magician S. Sreekanth on 9th August.



Want freedom from menacing mistakes that lock your creativity during your magic shows? If yes, you should at any cost, attend the 56th Perfect Performer Course (PPC) at the Magic Academy, on 9th August. This Independence Day special edition of the PPC will liberate participating magicians to a world free of all mistakes.

Teacher for the occasion, former Secretary to the India Ring 261 of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, S. Sreekanth has fixed a very appropriate theme for his class: ‘freedom from mishaps on magic stage’. Mr. Sreekanth is ambitious of unlocking the chambers of creativity thereby empowering his counterparts against common faults that occur during stage presentations.

The class will also be a panacea against stage fear. This refresher course will be embellished with precious information on the general rules, preparation, setting routines etc. So make yourself free to attend this Freedom Day special session. Email: magicacademy@gmail.com for registration.

A benefitting magic class by Jili Jili Bobby

55th Perfect Performer Course at Magic Academy on 12th


Jili Jili Bobby, during one of his prize-winning performances










Thiruvananthapuram: This year’s runner up in the Vazhakunnam Memorial Close up contests, Jili Jili Bobby will lead the 55th session of PPC at Magic Academy on 12th July. Mr. Bobby, a Bank Manager by profession, will be offering a refreshing module on General Magic with special emphasis on presentation. “How to make the show different will be the main theme of my class. The class, focused more on close up magic will present easy ways of making the performance nice, by way of presentation skills”, Mr. Bobby told VMN. Besides, he has also kept a sweet presentation for the occasion. It is going to be an enactment of his masterpiece magic, ‘sympathetic silk’. Registration fee will be Rs.150 inclusive of lunch. For more information contact: magicacademy@gmail.com.

Poll result (June 2008 - 1)

Our readers' preference on magic:

Magic and Basic science 52 %

Magic and Personality development 24%

Magic and Mathematics 12%

Magic and Psychology 12%

Cast your vote now on an entirely new subject! Find the polling booth right on top corner of side bar.

Previous polls: JANUARY ( 1 2 3 4) FEBRUARY ( 1 2 3)MARCH (1 2)APRIL ( 1 2 3 4 5 MAY (1 2 3 4)

Expose the fake spiritualists, the conmen!

Fake spiritualists douse the spirit of highly literate Kerala

[Editorial by Gopinath Muthukad in May issue of Vismayam Magical News]

It is disappointing to see that fraudulent God men are on an increase even in a highly literate State like Kerala. The State has recently seen these fake 'spiritualist' and 'swamis' misusing and mutilating the art of magic, for their selfish gains. These conmen resort to magical art, with the shrewd objective of substantiating their baseless claims of being supernatural.

These men act as representatives of God and deceive the society. Creating figurines, divine statuettes and holy ash from thin air, producing oily secretions and holy powder from photos and idols and vanishing of objects offered to God, are among their usual tricks. All these are nothing, but pure magic tricks that can be performed with enough practice.

Prediction and fortune telling are also nothing, but legerdemain. When one predicts a long list of mundane troubles of another man, quite naturally, a few among them will prove to be correct. Because all over the world, earthly life has gifted a set of common problems – mental and societal – for the humanity. The listeners of such predictions, usually affixes the right ones in their minds and forgets the wrong part. Devotees normally do not question the fake 'spiritualists'. This mass psychology is well exploited by these tricksters.

Those who suffer from mental agonies and those who are in search of a way to vent their burning confession of a guilt in life, irregardless of their position in the society, fall easy preys in front of these conmen. Later they become believers and stanch devotees.

Saffron and other symbols of various religions, for these God men, are camouflage that helps them elude the eyes of the society. Amassing money is among their priorities. They easily blindfold the eyes of the society by rendering a little social charity using a minute part of their mammoth wealth.

Magic Academy admires the media and the Government of Kerala for their recent bold initiatives by that have led to the unmasking of such frauds. This gives us hope and testifies that the power to discriminate between the virtue and the evil is still there.

The Academy re-dedicates its unceasing war against superstitions and pledge to expose the real face of these fake 'spiritualists'. We will remain with the people who want to unveil the ugly God men who misuse magical basics for misguiding the public.

Job at Magic Academy

Magic Academy is in requirement of a Salesman (on contract) at its headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram. Attractive commission-based remuneration package. In future, the post may become permanent.

Those aged between 18 and 24 with knowledge in magical art and flair to learn modern magical gadgets, can apply. Send detailed bio data with a photo affixed, so as to reach the following address on or before 16/06/08.

Residents of native district and those with basic knowledge in operating MS Excel will get added preference.

Address: Magic Academy, Poojappura, Thiruvananthapuram 695012 Kerala. Tel: 0471 2358910 Email: magicacademy@gmail.com

Magic to be included in the education curriculum: M.A. Baby

(From left) Ministers, N.K. Premachandran, M.A. Baby and Paloly Mohammed Kutty watching evening galas at Vismayam 2008.

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Minister of Education, M.A. Baby has informed that his Ministry was thinking of including magic as a subject for learning in the school and college curriculum.

The minister observed that this was essential to carve out a generation that do not fall prey to superstitions and false beliefs. “Magicians have a significant role in eradicating superstitions and the claims of certain God men of having some supernatural abilities”, the Minister added. “A section of magicians may object, but I don’t think there is anything wrong if some general tricks are handed down to school students with the aim of empowering them against superstitions”, Mr. Baby said. He was inaugurating the final rounds of competitions to decide the winner of Grand Champion of Magic title.

During his presidential address, the Minister of Local Self Government, Paloly Moham- med Kutty pointed out that magic was an art that could effectively reflect social issues.

The Minister of Water Resources, N.K. Premachandran, in his Keynote address commented that the Vismayam 2008 could bring in an international acclaim for Indian magic.

Poll result (May 2008 -2)

Ministry of Education in Kerala is thinking of including magic in the school/college curriculum (Photo: Kerala Education Minister, M.A. Baby)

52% say the decision is good

48% say it would be bad

Cast your vote now on an entirely new subject! Find the polling booth right on top corner of side bar.

Previous polls: January ( 1 2 3 4) February ( 1 2 3)March (1 2)April ( 1 2 3 4 5 May (1)

Poll Results (April 2008 - 1)

Can a non magician be among the judges to assess magic competitions?

52% say No.

28% say Yes.

19% say Yes, if he/she is an artiste.

Cast your vote now on an entirely new subject! Find the polling booth right on top corner of side bar.

Previous polls: January ( 1 2 3 4) February ( 1 2 3)March (1 2)