Magic Classes to begin with Mathe-magic feat

Kochi: Summer Magic Camp for children jointly organised by the Ernakulam District Council for Child Welfare and the Magic Academy led by ace magician Gopinath Muthukad, will begin on 6th of April. At 10.30am on the day, Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer will inaugurate the Camp at function to be presided over by the District Collector, Dr. M. Beena. The Library Hall attached to the Priyadarshini Traffic Training Park will be the venue.

Following the function, Mr. Muthukad will stage his latest feat in magic incorporating children gathered there. Christened, ‘Maths, Mind and Magic’, it’s a presentation combining intriguing elements of mathematics and sleights of hand.

In an interesting turn of the show, a team of blindfolded children will be picking at random, tokens heaped in a shallow vessel. With these numbers, children work out some mathematical problems on two writing boards. Now the challenge before the magician would be to predict the final answer of the lengthy calculations. Adding suspense will be an envelop hanging over the audience carrying a prediction written by the magician.

Through this performance, handed down to the children will be scientific poise to identify the deceit behind predictions made by certain people who claim to have superhuman abilities.

Muthukad's magic for U.A.E.

Magic in the air: The Baseline Advertisers, U.A.E. has augmented their publicity drive for making the upcoming magical extravaganza titled,'Magic in Arabia' presented by Muthukad and team a grand success in different cities of U.A.E. Seen above is an e-format of one of the posters of the impending event. The magic tour is scheduled for February 2010.

Second leg of Stop SAD starts rolling

Minister of Excise, P.K. Gurudasan inaugurates second leg of 'Stop SAD' mission by Gopinath Muthukad at the Shanghumukham beach in the city.

Thiruvananthapuram: Second leg of Kerala tour by ‘Stop SAD’ traveling magic theatre conceived and presented by magician Gopinath Muthukad was formally inaugurated yesterday, at the Shanghumugham beach here by the minister of Labour and Excise, P.K. Gurudasan.

Catching a message: A fisherman keenly watches as magician performs on the moving magic theatre.

M.L.A., V. Surendran Pillai and Commissioner of Excise, C.K. Viswanathan were among the dignitaries present on the dais. Stop SAD mission, similar to its earlier phase, is being organised jointly by the Magic Academy and the Excise Department. The inaugural ceremony was held with the support from Council of Coastal Residents' Associations.

En route its journey from the Capital to Kasaragode, the moving magic theatre would concentrate on magic shows in educational institutions. The voyage will conclude on 25th of October at Kasaragode. There will be two shows in each district. First show in Thiruvananthapuram was held in the forenoon yesterday at Nellimoodu.

Incredible performer and imposing messages

The first phase of the Stop SAD travelling magic theatre was started from Thiruvananthapuram on 11th of February this year, receiving a flag from the hands of Chief Minister, V.S. Achuthanandan. Magic shows by Mr. Muthukad and street play created by scriptwriter Karivelloor Murali and director, Pramod Payyannur are the chief contents of the moving theatre.

Attentive: A good turn out of the members of the coastal residents' association was there.

During the first phase of the voyage there were incidents of addicted people confessing and taking oath in front of the magician to quit smoking, drinking and chewing tobacco products. Women from the shattered families of alcohol addicts demanded the conduct of the magic show at their villages. Several NGOs were also of the same demand. It was in this context that the Minister of Excise had decided to conduct of the programme in the grassroots, especially along educational institutions.

Minister, P.K. Gurudasan and M.L.A., V. Surendran Pillai congratulate the crew of moving magic theatre, after the show at the beach.


Huge crowd of students attended the first performance at Nellimoodu school.

Four-day magic fair in Nagercoil

Style stars: Several new presentations will be there during upcoming festival at Nagercoil

Nagercoil: Love for magic in the hearts of the people here are similar to the undulating waves of the confluencing oceans at Kanyakumari. Beckoned by this passionate call, Gopinath Muthukad and team will be at the Perumal Thirumandapam to perform for a four-day magic festival to be held during 7th to 10th of August.
The Tamil Nadu Tourism Department, the Press Club of Nagercoil and the famed Shajahans Jewellers have once again united to organize the event.

To satisfy the magic fans, Mr. Muthukad and team have made all efforts to refresh their performances with a range of very new illusions.

A week-long road show, distribution of notices, display of posters, and hoardings will be there besides a few curtain raiser events.

Pretty before such propagandas could take place, the city has fallen into a magic mania. “I have seen the show last time. It was stupendous,” says a Police officer, on seeing the magic posters.

Watch here a Tamil trailor of the impending festival.

Disadvantaged children get colours of magic

Children throng around Gopinath Muthukad during his magic show at the validectory of 'Chiraku 2009' summer camp organised by the Don Bosco Centre in Thiruvananthapuram.

Thiruvananthapuram: 10-year-old Ram Kumar and 11-year-old Afsal – residents of Karimadom colony – held aloft a frame carrying a little girl’s picture, drawn using black ink over a white piece of paper.

Other children danced around the boys, singing a Goan action song taught by their teacher, Amala. In no time, the girl’s image became vibrant in colours. Her ribbons became red, frock yellow and cheeks shined in pink. Children were thoroughly astonished at the magical colouring of the picture.

It was all a magic show designed for kids, by Gopinath Muthukad. The venue was the valedictory ceremony of ‘Chiraku 2009’ summer camp organized by the Don Bosco Centre, Manacaud. The magic send the message that the habit of thinking can along bring colours of imagination in one’s life.

A dose of unity and national integration was also served through a magic trick using three ribbons of saffron, white and green shades. The show concluded reminding children of this advice by Nehru: see what you should see; hear what you should hear and speak what you should speak.

The camp would officially culminate tomorrow (06/05/09) with a picnic trip. Rector, Fr. George Ukran presided over the function. Director, Fr. Philip Parakkat and camp co-ordinator, Emmanuel Silas spoke on the occasion. C.I. of Police, Jawahar Jerald distributed prizes.

ഓര്‍മ്മക്കുറിപ്പുകളുടെ വിസ്മയവുമായി മുതുകാട്

കോഴിക്കോട്: മാന്ത്രികന്‍ ഗോപിനാഥ് മുതുകാടിന്റെ ഓര്‍മ കുറിപ്പുകള്‍ പുസ്തകരൂപത്തില്‍ പ്രസിദ്ധീകരിച്ചു. ഓര്‍മകളുടെ മാന്ത്രിക സ്പര്‍ശം എന്ന പേരിലുള്ള പുസ്തകം പുറത്തിറക്കിയത് കോഴിക്കോട് ഒലിവ് ബുക്സ് ആണ്. വൈദ്യുതി മന്ത്രി എ.കെ. ബാലന്‍ പുസ്തകത്തിന്റെ ആദ്യ പ്രതി എഴുത്തുകാരന്‍ ശ്രീ. പുനത്തില്‍ കുഞ്ഞബ്ദുള്ളയ്ക്ക് നല്കി. തദവസരത്തില്‍ മന്ത്രി കാട്ടിയ മായാജാലം ഏവരേയും അത്ഭുതപ്പെടുത്തി. ഊര്‍ജം സംരക്ഷിക്കൂ കേരളത്തെ രക്ഷിക്കൂ എന്ന സന്ദേശം നല്‍കുന്നതായിരുന്നു മന്ത്രിയുടെ മാജിക്. സാധാരണ ബള്‍ബിനെക്കാള്‍ വൈദ്യുതി ലാഭിക്കുന്ന സി. എഫ്. എല്‍ ബള്‍ബുകള്‍ ശൂന്യതയില്‍ നിന്നു സൃഷ്‌ടിച്ച മന്ത്രിയുടെ മായാജാലം കാഴ്ചക്കാരെ അത്ഭുതപ്പെടുത്തി. ശൂന്യമായ കൂട്ടില്‍ നിന്നും ഒരു വലിയ ട്യൂബ് ലൈറ്റ് പ്രത്യക്ഷമാക്കിയപ്പോള്‍ ടാഗോര്‍ ഹാളിലെ നിറഞ്ഞ സദസ്സില്‍ വിസ്മയം അലതല്ലി. ഓരോ ഇനം കണ്ടുകഴിയുംപോഴും തന്നെ കൈയടിച്ചു പ്രോത്സാഹിപ്പിച്ച സദസ്സിനോട് താന്‍ നല്കുന്ന സന്ദേശം കൂടി ഓര്‍ക്കുവാന്‍ ശ്രീ. ബാലന്‍ അഭ്യര്‍ത്ഥിച്ചു. മാജിക്കിന്റെ മണമുള്ള മണ്ണില്‍ നിന്നും അനന്തപുരിയുടെ ചരിത്രം തുടിക്കുന്ന വഴിതാരകളിലേക്ക് ചുവടുവച്ച വിസ്മയാനുഭവങ്ങളെല്ലാം കോര്തതാണ് ശ്രീ മുതുകാടിന്റെ ഓര്‍മ്മക്കുറിപ്പുകള്‍‍. വളച്ചുകെട്ടില്ലാത്ത, നേരിന്റെ നന്മയുള്ള ഭാഷയാണ് ഈ പുസ്തകത്തിന്‍റെ ഭംഗി.

പ്രസ്തുത ഗ്രന്ഥത്തെ കുറിച്ചു മലയാളത്തിന്റെ പ്രിയകവി ഓ. എന്‍. വി. കുറുപ്പ് പറഞ്ഞതിങ്ങനെ: ഒരു മാന്ത്രികന്‍ ആകസ്മികമായിട്ടാണ് തന്റെ ഓര്‍മ്മക്കുറിപ്പുകള്‍‍ എഴുതാന്‍ തുടങ്ങിയതെങ്കിലും അതൊരു കഥപോലെ, തികച്ചും ഒരു കല്പിതകഥ സര്‍ഗാത്മകമായി രേഖപ്പെടുതിയതുപോലെ ആയിത്തീര്‍ന്നിരിക്കുന്നു. ഏതൊരെഴുതുകാരനും സര്‍ഗാത്മകവൈഭവം കാണിക്കണം എന്നുന്ടെന്കില്‍ അതിനുപിന്നില്‍ മനോഹരമായൊരു ഭുപ്രക്രിതിയുണ്ടാവണം എന്ന് പറയാറുണ്ട്. നിലമ്പുര്‍ പോലെ വശ്യമായ ഭുപ്രകൃതിയില്‍ നിന്നു വന്ന ഗോപിനാഥ്, പ്രകൃതിയുടെ സ്വാധീനം മനസ്സിലിട്ടു കൊണ്ടു ഗ്രിഹാതുരത്വം പകരാന്‍ കഴിയുന്ന ഒരെഴുത്തുകാരന്‍ കൂടിയാണെന്ന് തെളിയിച്ചിരിക്കുകയാണ്.

ഒലിവ് പ്രസിദ്ധീകരിച്ച ഓര്‍മകളുടെ മാന്ത്രികസ്പര്‍ശം പ്രമുഖ പുസ്തക കടകളില്‍ ലഭിക്കും. വില രൂ.125.

Popularising magical art, promoting local magicians

Gopinath Muthukad, followed by Navodaya Pariseelana Kendram Director, Alexander arrive for a magic popularisation camp at Pathanamthitta.

Thiruvananthapuram: In asociation with the Adoor-based Navodaya Pariseelana Kendram (NPK), the Magic Academy has launched a statewide project for promoting local magicians and popularizing the magical art. The event comprises of free training on magical basics to children and magic show by local magicians. This programme was already held successfully in Karunagapplay (Kollam), North Paravur (Ernakulam), Ettumanoor (Kottayam) and Pathanamthitta. Magic shows by magician S. Sreekanth and girl magician Ammu were the attractions of the events. Executive Director of the Academy, Gopinath Muthukad’s classes were there, elucidating the basic lessons of the magical art. Participants of these free training will be offered with membership at the Magic Club of the Academy, said the chief of the NPK, Mr. Alexander.

Above: A young participant offers a bouquet of flowers to her magic teacher, S. Sreekanth at a camp held in North Paravur. Below: Girl magician Ammu performs magic to entertain participants at a camp at Karunagappally in Kollam.

New way of mind reading enthralls, educates children

Mind reading: Blindfolded children encircle the magician during the magic show at the Summer School 2009 in Thiruvananthapuram.

Thiruvananthapuram: Summer School 2009 organised by the State Public Library here, marked a magical beginning on 20th of April. Sprinkling magic to the inaugural ceremony, was Gopinath Muthukad. ‘Magic uncle’ was there with a new experimentation of reading minds of a group of his young fans by adeptly applying psychology and mathematics.

A shallow vessel of bell-metal carrying 9999 tokens of different four digit numbers were kept in the middle of the audience. The audience comprising of children, their parents, staffs of the Library and invited guests could see on the stage three writing boards, the magician and his assistants. Six children - three girls and three boys - randomly selected from the audience, entered the stage. Blindfolded, these children formed a human chain around the magician. Magician was then in a mood of deep contemplation. A few seconds of silence prevailed.

(Photo below) The Minister examining the prediction standing near 'Uruli' a traditional kind of shallow vessel in which are heaped 9999 differently numbered tokens.



Touching on their heads, the magician entered into the most important part: writing a prediction through reading the minds of children. He apparently did it, folded the prediction paper and inserted it into a white envelop. Education Minister, M.A. Baby was invited to the stage. Adding suspense, the Minister kept the cover suspend over the audience by clipping it at the tip of a chain.

The blindfolds were then removed and children were allowed to randomly pick two tokens each, from the broad vessel. Four-digit numbers found on their tokens were then written over two black boards on two sides, by the children. There were six numbers on one side and six on the other.

Then it was the turn of the former Chief Secretary of Kerala, C.P. Nair and the State Librarian, P. Suprabha. They summed up each set of numbers to obtain 33824 on one side and 19744 on the other. The sum total of these two numbers - 53568 - was also written on a board kept in the middle.

The Minister, on request of the magician, opened the suspending cover and took out the paper carrying the prediction. Entire audience watched with a bated breath as the minister announced through mike, the numbers he found on the paper. It was exactly, 53568. A thunderous clap followed and the magician stood in a shower of praise.


Minister's praise for the successful magician.

Elated, Mr. Muthukad gave this message to the children: “What I have done is purely magic based on mathematics and psychology. I do not have any superhuman power. Next time when you come to know about a prediction, please think about the possible science behind it, magic contained it.”

The minister said that Mr. Muthukad’s magic show was appropriate to the occasion since 2009 was the year of science, when the whole world celebrated the 200th birth anniversary of Charles Darvin.

A ‘Magical Trip’ to road safety

Accidents are like the Damocles’ sword, tells magic show


Gopinath Muthukad presents his latest trick for generating traffic awareness as Transport Minister, Mathew T. Thomas and M.L.A., V. Sivankutty look on.

Thiruvananthapuram: Accidents on roads are like the sword of Damocles. It can happen at any time. Only your readiness to obey traffic rules keeps you at safer distance from this sword. This was the message send by Gopinath Muthukad’s latest magic feat here on 6th of Jan. The show was held on a city road under the joint auspices of the Transport Department, the Department of Information and Public Relations (I&PRD) and the City Police.

Transport Minister, Mathew T. Thomas inaugurated the event whereas M.L.A., V. Sivankutty presided over. Transport Commissioner, Aanantha Krishnan, City Police Commissi oner, Ravada Chandrasekhar and Director, I&PRD, P.K. Lal were also present.

Before the show, the magician gave a short speech on the necessity to obey traffic rules. Spectators watched the climax with a bated breath as the huge sword made a free fall over the magician’s head. A few seconds passed and every one heaved a sigh of relief only after seeing the magician emerging with a smile. Removing the helmet from his head the magician said: “See I observed all traffic rules, wore a helmet and my life was duly saved”.

M.T.’s praise for Jyothi Thekkinkattil

M.T. Vasudevan Nair (right) watching an exhibition of photographs by Jyothi Thekkinkattil (second from right).

Ottappalam: “Beautiful pictures unveil enormous potentials of photography. Grabbing these by a camera essentially could have required tremendous adventurism and dedication. Congratulations”. These were exactly what the noted writer, M.T. Vasudevan Nair wrote on the visitors’ book after watching recently held exhibition of photographs taken by the official photographer of the Magic Academy, Jyothi Thekkinkattil. All these photos were taken during Gopinath Muthukad’s ‘Vismay Swaraj Yatra’.

There were over two hundred photos speaking in volumes about the magical journey and the challenges it posed.

Intriguing images of diversity and the blissful scenic splendours found from Srinagar to Nathu La Pass, Gangtok to Kohima and from Kolkata to Kanyakumari were told through vibrant photographs.

Good homes for the poor are no more an illusion says magic show

Highly impressive magic show to be repeated in Kochi and Kozhikode.


Minister Binoy Viswam (right) being received at the magically built home.

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala State Housing Board (KSHB) is on a mission to make good homes not an illusion, but a reality for the poor and the deprived. A friendship cultural evening organized by the KSHB to popularize its Laksham Veedu renovation scheme, witnessed a symbolic magical act by Gopinath Muthukad. The magician showed a mesmerising transformation of an old and unstable home into a new and stable one. And that marked a magical gesture of solidarity with the KSHB’s philanthropic prject.

On 15th of October, at the University Senate Hall, in a function presided over by the Minister of Housing and Forest, Binoy Viswam, the Minister of Culture, M.A. Baby inaugurated the programme. Mr. Muthukad’s magic wand was then waved to bring some awsome scenes on the stage.

The show began with the raising of a banner carrying the image of an old home in its deteriorated state. At a wink of the eyes, the curtain fell and there appeared a new stern building bathed in light. The Minister Mr. Binoy Viswam was invited to the stage.

Using a key presented by the magician, the Minister opened the front door of the house and the house owner came out holding an empty vessel. The magician tapped the vessel with his wand and created was a bunch of flowers in radiant colours. Receiving the bouquet, the Minister returned.

The new act symbolised the transition of humanity from the dark of decay to the light of development.

A poem written by Thirunellur Karunakaran in 1972 praising the launch of Laksham Veedu scheme for the poor by then minister, M.N. Govindan Nair, formed background music for the magic show. Entire auditorium was led to a state of rousing emotions as this three-decade-old poem, flowed in the voice of Kallara Gopan.

Following this special act, the magician along with his 24-member troupe continued to enthrall the audience with their premium magical entertainment named, Muthukad’s World of Magic.

Fuming messages

At the conclusion of an emphatic performance against the menaces of drug abuse, tobacco use and terrorism, the Minister of Local Self Government, Paloli Mohammedkutty (second from left) gives the oath against tobacco products. Superintendent of Police, M. Padmanabhan; District Collector, M.C. Mohandas; Police Commandant, Sparjan Kumar are also seen.

Predicting the lead news: Muthukad sets a record

Total number of newspapers, and the transparency and reliability of the magical method adopted has made it a record.

Winning moment: Gopinath Muthukad flanked by dignitaries, displaying a sheet of paper on which he has written his exact prediction of lead news in 10 newspapers. From left: Superintendant of Police, M. Padmanabhan; M.L.A., M. Umman; District Collector, M.C. Mohandas and Chairman of the Malappuram District Co-operative Bank, U.A. Latheef.

Malappuram: Gopinath Muthukad has set a world record by predicting the lead news of 10 newspapers at a single instance, by way of his amazing feat held here successfully during 24th and 25th of September. His feat has become a record by way of the total number of newspapers tried and the transparency and reliability of the method adopted for the entire performance.

Muthukad’s first endeavour in the area of prediction magic was during the parliament elections of Thiruvananthapuram constituency when he precisely predicted the votes earned by three major candidates. Previously he has repeated a more convincing version of prediction technology in Palakkad and exactly predicted the lead news in 6newspapers.

At Malappuram, the challenge was more as his attempt was upon 10 leading dailies. “To predict what would become lead of the paper, is an impossible task for even people attached to the media. To make this guess accurately and to follow the parlances of different newspapers are among the major challenges. Above all remains the duty of the magician to make his performance imposing as well as transparent and trustworthy for the viewers”, Mr. Muthukad said on his latest achievement.

Magic through the corporate coridors

Future of magic proves to be ever-blossoming

Kolkata: A retrospective after 30 days of the sixty-day Vismay Swaraj Yatra, shows conspicuous caliber of magical art in successfully carrying to the masses, the messages of corporate giants, Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) and Union Bank of India (UBI).
Both LIC and UBI are among the principal sponsors of the Yatra, besides Ministry of Defence and Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan.
‘Fortune Plus’, the best product of LIC and ‘Good people to bank with’, the slogan of UBI are promoted in a magical way during Vismay Swaraj Yatra performances.
The LIC Fortune Plus magic ends with the magician’s advice to immediately contact the nearest LIC agent for buying the profitable product.


UBI magic has the message that your money is safe with the branches of the UBI.
Besides LIC and UBI, co-sponsoring the event are State Bank of Travancore and Federal Bank. Earlier the Kerala part of the voyage was also supported by the Kerala State Co-operative Bank.
When magic as a medium sends such a strong message in promoting two developmental icons of India, it implies the happy fact that the art of magic is never dying but blooms into new colours.

Saluting a martyr and starting a mission

Thiruvananthapuram: It counts how you begin a mission. To begin his Vismay Swaraj Yatra, magician Gopinath Muthukad had an admirable magic commemorating valiant martyr, Bhagat Singh. The occasion was the farewell offered by the State on 20th Sept. under the aegis of the Kerala State Youth Welfare Board (KSYWB).
The resourceful magician’s latest feat titled ‘Thookkumaram Sakshi’ (In front of the gallows) had several features that made it different from usual stunt stuffs. An iron platform stood high with six poles tied with nooses, awaiting the magician who would come as a representative of the young, eternal Bhagat Singh.
August gathering
When the magician came in the guise of the martyr gazing at him was an inquisitive audience including Chief Minister of Kerala, V.S. Achuthanandan; Opposition Leader, Oommen Chandy; Minister of Law, Sports and Youth Welfare, M. Vijayakumar; M.L.A., N. Sakthan; Vice Chairman of Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan, Kodikunnil Suresh; Vice Chairman of KSYWB, P. Sreeramakrishnan; literary scholar Dr. George Onakoor and chief officers from LIC of India and Union Bank of India.
Magic with a message
Mr. Muthukad announced his magic’s message: no more imperial forces can hang a Bhagat Singh again. Then it was the Chief Minister’s turn to select a pole from the six, for the magician to be hanged. The CM’s selection was the 4th pole.
Dramatic scenes
Immediately men dressed as the old British police, captured the magician. As he was carried to the gallows, a sensational music filled the air.
The executioner stopped at No.4 pole. The noose was tightened around the neck of a helpless magician whose hands were tied to the back. Rest of the five nooses were put around the necks of five dummies.

The hangman in dark attire pulled the liver. All of a sudden, the platforms beneath the poles gave way – a scene that forced many mild-hearted persons to close their eyes. Hardly a couple of seconds of bated breath and elevated anxiety… all the five dummies were perfectly hanged… To the astonishment of the crowd, the magician had a lightning escape!
Admirations
“101 admirations to Muthukad” the CM commented instantly. As love and compliments were been showered upon Mr. Muthukad, he along with his 26-member team were gathering energy from the euphoric moments for their mammoth effort ahead.

Bringing a ‘World of Magic’ to campuses

Thiruvananthapuram: College students take care. Magician, none other than homegrown Houdini, Gopinath Muthukad is around with his telepathic powers to read your minds.



Campus Mentalism is the latest addition to Mr. Muthukad’s ongoing serial ‘World of Magic’ telecast on Kairali channel at 8p.m. through Sundays. Shooting for the new magic segment is progressing in the city colleges. Campus Mentalism depicts magician’s attempts to read the minds of his spectators, who are college students, selected in random and without a prejudice.

To guarantee success, the magician has adopted a unique telepathic formula weaving together the threads of magic, mathematics and psychology. Amusing games will be applied to select a particular participant from different groups of students.
Campus Mentalism is aimed at furthering the popularity of magical art among the youth.

Upcoming episodes of the World of Magic also comprise of appealing features including modern stage settings, state-of-the art illusions and innovative styles of presentation. Favourite close-up fiesta from Rajamoorthy will be sustained. The close-up dish will be added with more savories from Mr. Muthukad too. For the viewers, the serial has already become a solacing alternative to mundane tear-jerkers.