Mission India: ‘Shade of love’ to instil love for trees

Kerala leg of the national endeavour will have a segment for conservation of trees, too.

Thiruvananthapuram: A programme for instilling love for trees and environment among school children, presented as part of his national endeavour ‘Mission India’ by magician Gopinath Muthukad, will be held in one school in each of the districts in the State.

Named, ‘Snehathanal’ (Shade of love), the awareness magic show is brought out by the Magic Academy with the support of the Kerala Forests and Wildlife Department. ‘Shade of love’ heralds the ideal of growing communal harmony for achieving social amity just like planting trees for getting cool shades. There will be a magic item presented with the participation of school children. Children will plant ‘trees of communal harmony’ one in each school where there is a performance. The Forest Department will provide protective nets for growing trees.

Statelevel inauguration of the event will be performed by the Minister of Forest, Binoy Viswam at 9.30am tomorrow (on 30th of September) at SMV Higher Secondary School. Opposition Leader, Oommen Chandy will preside over the function. Minister of Youth Affairs, V. Surendran Pillai will deliver keynote address. A green plant produced on the magic stage will be handed over to children by poetess Sugathakumari.

Time and venue of the programme from Kollam onwards will be: Kollam (04 October 9.30am), Pathanamthitta (05 October 9.30am), Alappuzha (06 October 9.30am), Kottayam (07 October 9.30am), Idukki (08 October 9.30am), Ernakulam (09 October 9.30am), Thrissur (10 October 9.30am), Palakkad (11 October 9.30am), Malappuram (12 October 9.30am), Kozhikode (13 October 9.30am), Wayanad (14 October 9.30am), Kannur (15 October 9.30am), Kasaragode (15 October 9.30am).

Governor makes official declaration of Mission India

Reported by Nishit Dalal

Etched in magic: Governor of Maharashtra, K. Sankaranarayanan (right) unveils a plaque to mark official declaration of Mission India endeavour of magician Gopinath Muthukad (second right). Others (from left), Bhajan player, Anup Jelota and CEO of FEI Cargo, Pratap Nair.

Mumbai: His Excellency, Shri K. Sankaranaryan arrived exactly at 7.00 p.m. The 500-strong audience arose in respect. The National Anthem filled the beautiful Yogi Sabha Gruh in Dadar with patriotic fervour, and His Excellency officially inaugurated ‘Mission India’ Muthukad’s 60-day magical yatra from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, starting 2nd October.

The Governor had reserved a few special words for his favourite ‘Gopi.’ “A magician who loves his country so much, that he has dedicated his art to spreading the message of anti-terrorism, peace and harmony, can be called a ‘son of the soil’. From the time I knew Gopinath, I have seen in him, a constant change. But this is only as far as his vibrant costumes are concerned. At heart, he is the same old Gopi who simply loves India and cannot see the country ruined by extremists and separatists. I wish him the best on his Mission India.”

After his virtuous blessing, His Excellency expressed a desire to watch the magical performance by Muthukad. He was accompanied by his wife. The other dignitaries present were India’s Bhajan Maestro Shri Anup Jalota; Shri Rishiraj Singh, Joint Commissioner of CBI; Shri P. K. Vijaykumar, Commissioner of Income Tax – Div. II and Captain Nambiar, Chief PRO of Indian Navy.

Magically made: A special 'Magic' issue of 'FEI Duniya', organ of the FEI Cargo Ltd. being released by the Governor, K. Sankaranarayanan. CEO of the FEI group, Pratap Nair receives the copy.

The Governor was seen enjoying the magic show as was the large audience that was left spell-bound by Muthukad’s mesmerizing illusions.

The event was organized by Mumbai NGO, Shailaja Nair Foundation.

‘Mission India’ begins on 2nd Oct.

Magic to be a teaching tool against terrorism and violence.

Swearing with Mumbai: Gopinath Muthukad and team perform at the Taj Mumbai as a curtain raiser of their upcoming endeavour, 'Mission India'.

Mumbai: Curtains raised on 24th of September at Taj Hotel Mumbai, for Gopinath Muthukad’s yet another feat for the Nation. A magic show described as ‘Swearing with Mumbai’ was duly performed on the pristine terrace of Taj hotel, a patriotic monument that stands tall, pronouncing before the world that India, like a phoenix can emerge over the flames of terrorism in no time. On the background of the stage was the monument of the 26/11 martyrs. The stage faced roaring Arabian sea and on its two sides stood the Gateway of India and the old block of the hotel.

Joint Director of the CBI, Rishiraj Singh inaugurated the show at a brief function. Deputy Commissioner of Income Tax, P.K. Vijayakumar; Defence PRO, Nambiar; noted media personality, P.K. Ravindranath and beauty queen, Parvathi Omanakuttan were present.

During the show, Mr. Muthukad and team were assisted by children from Lady Vishanji Academy. The event was organised by Shailaja Nair Foundation led by the CEO of FEI Cargo Ltd., Pratap Nair.

The magic show sent poignant messages of oneness and fraternity with which an attempt by separatists to divide mother India was foiled. Exuberant was the flamboyance of tricolour and resounding was the ‘Vandemataram’ slogans.

Earlier Mr. Muthukad paid floral tributes at the 26/11 memorial. In the evening the Governor of Maharashtra, K. Sankaranarayanan will perform formal declaration of the magical endeavour.

Fourth mission

‘Mission India’ is the magician’s fourth national endeavour of using magic for driving in messages of peace, harmony and amity. It is a 60-day voyage with free magic shows, starting from Kanyakumari on 2nd of October and culminating in Chennai on 30th of November.

Leading institutions of the country including Indian Army, LIC of India, Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Cochin Shipyard Ltd., Federal Bank and the HLL Lifecare Ltd. have joined with the mission as principal sponsors.

Kerala leg

At 11am on the Gandhi Jayati day, the Chief Minister, V.S. Achuthanandan will formally handover the National Flag to Mr. Muthukad for carrying throughout the mission. The function at the Tagore Theatre here, will be presided over by the patron of the Magic Academy, Prof. O.N.V. Kurup. Cultural Minister, M.A. Baby will deliver keynote address. M.L.A., N. Sakthan will felicitate the function. From Kollam to Kasaragode the mission will be supported by the Kerala State Youth Welfare Board.

Shade of love

All over Kerala, the magic team will perform a customised magic show christened, ‘Sneha Thanal’ (Shade of love) for spreading environmental thoughts among school children. This is a programme to be held with the support of the Forests and Wildlife Department of Kerala, participating school children from one school in each of the 14 districts. State level inauguration of this event will be performed by the Minister of Forest, Binoy Viswam at 9.30am on 30th of September at the SMV Higher Secondary School, Thiruvananthapuram. At the function, chaired by the Opposition Leader, Oommen Chandy, Minister of Youth Welfare, V. Surendran Pillai will deliver keynote address. Poet, Sugathakumari will hand over a communal harmony tree to children.

National episode

In the morning on 17th of October, as the Kerala chapter of the magical mission concludes in Kasaragode, the magical entourage will begin their journey into the heart of India. A bus for carrying men and two trucks for carrying materials form the fleet. Led by Mr. Muthukad, the 24-member team including 6 girls will be travelling huge distances by road daring topographical challenges before their mission concludes in Chennai on 30th of November. During their travel, Mission India magic shows with virtuous messages will be performed on the stages offered by the Indian Army as well as civilian NGOs.

At cantonments and camps, the Army will provide food and accommodation for the entourage. Fuel for the three vehicles will be given by the IOC.

Making our art speak

Art can speak. Painter, actor, dancer puppeteer make their performances speak. A magician too does this.

In this process of communication, if other theatrical performances need the spectator to be a little knowledgeable, magic doesn’t need such a prerequisite. Even an illiterate enjoys magic to the same level as a pedagogic literate does.

Magic can promulgate complex ideas and common man’s ideologies with the same degree of ease. For example, magic shows can promote intricate products of the modern world. The same magic sends a simple idea on traffic rules.

Messages when conveyed through a magic show enjoys a permanent place in the hearts of the viewers. The feel of amazement has a big power to crack open even the strongest barriers. Thus magic and its message get ample space in the hearts of the spectators.
Wonders created by a deft magician prompt the spectators to ponder again and again. They become inquisitive. As long as this inquisitiveness is there, the messages of the magic show too haunt them.

Magic shows are capable of communicating ideas beyond the language barriers. Ideas communicated during a magic performance are visual than verbal; psychological than physical and enduring than ephemeral.

Here comes the December of dazzling magic shows. Let us add some enlightening messages on the showbiz.
[Editorial of Vismayam Magical News, November 2009 issue]

Magic Academy to fight against terrorism

Magic to keep away the evils from campuses in Kerala.


Wings of peace: Minister of Forest, Binoy Viswam inaugurates Gopinath Muthukad’s magical mission against terrorism, by joining for a magical item of producing pegions of peace from nowhere.

Kannur: Magic Academy’s initiative of performing magic shows for inspiring college students against the ugly demons of terrorism, was inaugurated by the Minister of Forests, Binoy Viswam.

The function held on 22nd November at the premises of historic Brunnen College at Thalassery, was resplendent of the huge anguish the people of Kerala have against terrorism. A piece of paper written ‘terrorism’ was placed inside an empty vessel and burnt into ashes. When the Minister closed the vessel with a lid and opened, appeared was a pigeon, the winged symbol of lasting peace. The function was followed by debut performances at the Brunnen College and the Engineering College, under the auspices of the Kannur University Union. Besides student leaders, Superintendent of Police, Sreejith was also present.

The Academy has selected to perform this unique magic shows before college students, since the primary target of terror recruiters are found to be the youngsters.

“Extremism never achieves a solution”, “Terrorism is not heroism, but cowardice” “Extremists have a faithless mind that is loveless, too”, “Terrorists cannot protect, but destroy only”, goes on the messages propagated through the magic shows.

A day of magic and gifts for the tribal folks

A delight, jointly brought by Forest Department, Fuji-Ganga and Magic Academy


Enigma for an ethnic crowd: Not only children, but grown ups, too were carried by the magic show at the far interior tribal hamlets.

Thodupuzha, Idukki: Tribal settlements at Champatti and Kummittamkuzhi were led to a day of magic and gifts on 8th of November. Thanks to Fuji-Ganga a voluntary organization and Gopinath Muthukad, the magical crusader. Together, the Fuji-Ganga and the Magic Academy had presented gifts and performed magic to the delight of the tribal folks.

If sacks of rice and a set of television were gifts that brought glee on the faces of the receivers, there were magical messages that sent light of wisdom in their minds. In the wake of the news reports that several extremist outfits are finding safe asylum in the forests of Kerala, Mr. Muthukad cautioned the inhabitants of the settlements “not to fall prey to suspicious people who would pretend to be affectionate”. The magic show reiterated that the forests of the State are looked after by the sons of the soil, non other than the tribal communities. “You should love your forest, land, State and the mother Nation”, said the magician during a passionate performance of national integration magic.

It was a cascade of wonders that sprouted at the daylight, on the elevated grasslands of Marayur forest ranges.

There was neither a well-set stage nor proper light and sound support. But these were not a deterrent for the magic team that already holds the credit of overcoming severe challenges at Naxal prone tribal settlements of Jharkhand.

Comedian and mimicry artiste, K.S. Prasad’s presence could invigorate the mission team that had to walk through long-winding difficult forest trails.


Fuji-Ganga’s Japanese representative, Hiroshi Okado (fifth from left) and other officials with the magic team.

A horde of dignitaries including the President of Kanthallur Grama Panchayat, Geethamma Sathyaseelan, Japanese representative of Fuji-Ganga, Hiroshi Okado, President of the Japanese chapter of the organization, Jojo Augustine were present on the occasion.

Illusion stunt on the street against drug abuse and tobacco menace

An ill-fated drug addict floats at the brim of a burning cigarette


Pledge on the magic stage: Minister of Home and Tourism, Kodiyeri Balakrishnan (second from right) reading out an anti-narcotic pledge. M.L.A. V. Sivankutty (right), Inspector General of Police, Arunkumar Sinha (second from left), City Police Commissioner, Ravada Chandrashekhar and Gopinath Muthukad are also seen.

Thiruvananthapuram: A drug-addict youth brought to the stage carried on the shoulders of his aides, was suspended at the tip of a burning cigarette, in public view. That marked an amazing as well as dramatic beginning to Gopinath Muthukad's public show of his latest illusion against drug abuse and tobacco use on the International Day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking, yesterday.

Hundreds of people - majority of who were residents of Karimadom colony could find still more scenes of amazement, on a makeshift stage setup at one corner of the busy East Fort. They could not believe their eyes when, the cigarette pierced the youth's dorsal first and protuberated upward, piercing his stomach. Hanging from all over his body were syringes and sachets of tobacco products. The ill-fated man remained suspended in the air, reminding the spectators of an important message: not to allow drugs to have a place in their lives. Quite fittingly, in witness of this grave magical scene, the Minister of Home and Tourism, Kodiyeri Balakrishnan read out a pledge for the people to take.


Imbibing a message: People of all ages throng at the magic venue with equal enthusiasm.

Mr. Muthukad's public performance of this latest illusion was organized by the City Police as part of its Community Policing programme. Earlier Mr. Balakrishnan inaugurated the programme that was presided over by M.L.A., V. Sivankutty. Inspector General of Police, Arunkumar Sinha, City Police Commissioner, Ravada Chandrashekhar and Assistant Commissioner, Sasikumar spoke on the occasion. The residents of Karimadom colony came to the venue, leading a procession.

Conserve with a confession: Mullakkara

Thiruvananthapuram: “Let us confess for the errors we have already made to the environment and start conserving the nature”, said the Minister of Agriculture, Mullakkara Ratnakaran. The Minister was inaugurating the final performance of Monsoon Magic at Tagore Theatre here. A packed audience of health workers, nursing students and environmentalists witnessed the finale.

'Monsoon Magic' begins its spell

Kerala Minister of Excise and Labour, P.K. Gurudasan lights a lamp to inaugurate 'Monsoon Magic', the ongoing state-level magical mission by Gopinath Muthukad at Kollam.

Even as the south-west Monsoon remain reluctant to show its prowess in Kerala, magician Gopinath Muthukad and team have started performing their duty with all beauty. 'Monsoon Magic' a combination magic show to reinforce awareness against seasonal epidemics was formally inaugurated by the Minister of Excise and Labour, P.K. Gurudasan on 6th June, at Sopanam auditorium, Kollam. "Do not forget what you see here on stage and apply these good messages in your life to prevent a morbid season ahead", the Minister said to the audience.

District Collector, A. Shajahan welcomed the dignitaries and District Information Officer, Nasar tendered vote of thanks. Dignitaries including District Panchayat President, Kollayi Sudevan were present. Earlier a rally was organised from the city centre to the auditorium.

The magical messaging will continue through district headquarters till Kasaragode, before concluding in Thiruvananthapuram on 21st.
Today the team is all set to perform 'Monsoon Magic' at Kottayam, well-known as the land of letters.

Alappuzha-based report published by The Hindu is here:http://www.hindu.com/2008/06/08/stories/2008060852330300.htm