'Vismay Malhar' a sublime tribute: CM

Chief Minister, V.S. Achuthanandan presents a memento to Gopinath Muthukad, the chief architect of Vismay Malhar after the programme’s debut in Thiruvananthapuram. (From left) Choreographer, T. Divya; script writer, Sreekanth Kottakkal; film star, Devan in the guise of Swathi Thirunal; actor, Poojappura Radhakrishnan in the attires of Kottarathil Sankunni and patron of the Magic Academy, O.N.V. Kurup look on.

Thiruvananthapuram: Vismay Malhar, latest spectacle on the magic stage by Gopinath Muthukad, had its triumphant debut at Tagore Theatre here on 30th of May. In witness of the inaugural presentation of the unique show, was a packed audience comprising of scholastic, theatrical and literary personalities. Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan inaugurated the event, watched through its entire length and honoured the artistes with mementos. “Muthukad’s Vismay Malhar is a sublime tribute to the great writer Kottarathil Sankunni and his 100-year-old work, Aithihyamala”, commented Mr. Achuthanandan. The CM honoured the artistes with mementos offered by the Information and Public Relations Department.

Classic creation
A mix of magic, music, drama and cinema, Vismay Malhar is a classic creation. It begins with an old man on cine screen, telling the story of the writer, Kottarathil Sankunni. 100 years ago, Sankunni’s fascination for the mythical as well as factual stories of Kerala had resulted into ‘Aithihyamala’, a valuable collection of legends. As the man on the screen turns the leaves of the Aithihyamala, the character Kottarathil Sankunni appears on a bright stage. Magical scenes follow in a chain as the writer imagines about the musical powers of Maharaja Swathi Thirunal of Travancore and the magical talents of Kaipuzha Thampan a magician who was so darling for the Maharaja.

Characters come alive
All of a sudden Thampan, the magician steps out of a portrait hung on the wall. A baffled writer bows his character and expresses his desire to see the Maharaja alive. Four people appear there, carrying a palanquin on their shoulders. They astonish to find the palanquin lighter and the Maharaja disappeared. However Thampan makes a magical gesture and reappears the Maharaja.

Magical rain
When the Maharaja Swathi Thirunal made his wish to see the magic of bringing rain, Thampan had no hesitation. At the magic spell of Thampan, brought live on stage was the majestic beauty of rain. The ambience turned dark, rocked by lightning, thunder and a powerful wind. A heavy downpour, as wild and as beautiful, followed.

Touching end
An end is there for everything - for the enticing meeting of the three characters, too. When Swathi Thirunal started wielding a magically produced Veena and dancing damsels appeared from nowhere, no one thought that the King along with the musical instrument would float in the air, levitate and merge among the clouds. But it happened. Then it was the turn of the magician himself. Offering best wishes to the writer, Thampan entered into a big text of legends that was placed over the writing table, and disappeared.

At the end, as lyrics of poet O.N.V. Kurup resounded in the sweet voice of singer, G. Venugopal, Sankunni resumes his passion of writing.

Honouring artistes
A gathering of eminent personalities assembled on the stage while Mr. Achuthanandan presented mementos to the artistes. Poojappura Radhakrishnan and Devan who lived in the roles of Kottarathil Sankunni and Maharaja Swathi Thirunal, respectively; script writer, Sreekanth Kottakkal; singer Mr. Venugopal and Mr. Muthukad who not only conceived the programme, but also donned the role of magician Kaipuzha Thampan, received mementos from the CM.

Each word, an honour: Creative team behind the Vismay Malhar listen keenly as the Chief Minister, V.S. Achuthanandan speaks after the show. From left: Anand U.B., Pramod, Thara, T. Divya, Sreekanth Kottakkal, Gopinath Muthukad, Devan, Poojappura Radhakrishnan, O.N.V. Kurup, Minister of Power, A.K. Balan; poetress, Sugatha Kumari; singer, G. Venugopal; Sindhu, Ganga, Anand Mezhathur, Antachan and Director of Information & Public Relations, M. Nandakumar.

CM provides some points to ponder

Thiruvananthapuram: Awareness campaigns are not scarce. But their effectiveness is a matter of concern. This and many more points were conveyed by the Chief Minister, V.S. Achuthanandan, during his speech made on the occasion of the inauguration of ‘Stop SAD’ mission. The CM said that Gopinath Muthukad’s mission would further the popularity of anti-alcohol messages, but its impact has to be seen in due course.

Turning the mirror towards the current scenario, the CM unveiled that even a section of the concerned officials were consumers of alcohol. Incident of an IPS officer being caught in Maharashtra for illegally keeping narcotic substance was referred as an example.

On the high consumption of liquor in the State, the CM said this: “State’s statistics of [alcohol] consumption is too high to give the impression that the entire people here use to drink”. Every occasion including festivals, marriages and even death of the beloved has become a reason for resorting to alcoholic drinks, he told.

‘Stop SAD’, a timely initiative: Chief Minister

Moving magic theatre runs over tobacco, alcohol, drugs


Entrusting a mission: Chief Minister, V.S. Achuthanandan handing over the flag to magician Gopinath Muthukad, marking the beginning of statewide of the latter’s ‘Stop SAD’ programmes staged on a moving magic theatre. From left: Excise Commissioner, C.K. Viswanathan; M.L.A., V. Sivankutty; Minister of Excise, P.K. Gurudasan; Patron of Magic Academy, O.N.V. Kurup; Minister of Law, M. Vijayakumar and Principal Secretary, Taxes, P. Mara Pandyan.

Thiruvananthapuram: At a function held here on 11th of February, Chief Minister, V.S. Achuthanandan has inaugurated the moving magic theatre launched by the Magic Academy in association with the Department of Excise, Government of Kerala. The theatre on transit presents a show titled, ‘Stop SAD’ comprising of magical demonstrations and street play by Gopinath Muthukad and 25-member team. The title of the presentation, ‘Stop SAD’ stands in for ‘stopping Smoking, Alcohol and Drug abuse’. During his inaugural speech, the C.M. hailed the magical initiative as a timely one. “I am sure that Mr. Muthukad’s initiative would popularize the anti-alcohol messages” Mr. Achuthanandan said. At the same time, the CM has also remarked that ‘one should wait and see the impact of such missions’. The CM handed over a white flag to Mr. Muthukad, marking the statewide inauguration of the magical mission.

The function was presided over by the Minister of Excise, P.K. Gurudasan. Mr. Gurudasan said that his department stood pledged to stop the production, spread and distribution of spurious liquor. Joint efforts with the departments of revenue, forests and the Police were on to achieve this. The Minister expressed his thankfulness to the magician’s voluntary service for the success of his department’s steps to tackle alcoholic addiction and the hooch.

Patron of the Academy, O.N.V. Kurup gave a message against the evil substances. The Academy has achieved a notable identity not by way of mundane entertainments, but due to timely actions as implied by its motto, ‘Magic with A Mission’, the poet said. During his keynote address, the Minister of Law, M. Vijayakumar pointed to the fact that the addiction to the evils of smoking, alcohol and drugs not only made several families sad, but also pushed the whole society to the danger zones.

M.L.A., V. Sivankutty spoke on the occasion. Earlier, Secretary, Taxes Department, P. Mara Pandyan welcomed the dignitaries. Excise Commissioner, C.K. Viswanathan tendered vote of thanks.

CM lauds magicians’ virtuous move

V.S. Achuthanandan inaugurates Vismayam 2008


Chief Minister, V.S. Achuthanandan lighting a traditional lamp marking the inauguration of Vismayam 2008. Also seen are (from left): General Convenor of the festival, M.B. Sanil Kumar; Chairman of SB Global, R. Balachandran; Tourism Secretary, Dr. V. Venu; Minister of Tourism, Home and Vigilence, Kodiyeri Balakrishnan; Minister of Law, Sports and Youth Affairs, M. Vijayakumar and Executive Director of Magic Academy, Gopinath Muthukad.

Thiruvananthapuram: “Under Gopinath Muthukad, magicians of the country are inspired to carry a fight for the win of virtues over evils” said the Chief Minister, V.S. Achuthanandan. He was addressing one thousand magicians assembled from various parts of the country and abroad, after inaugurating the four-day global festival of magic, Vismayam 2008 at the University Senate Hall on 1st May. The CM described the international convention as an admirable movement and wished every success for the same.

Magic for tourism stressed
During his presidential speech, the Minister of Tourism and Home, Kodiyeri Balakrishnan pointed that the international confluence was held at a time when magic was becoming more and more popular as an art. His department’s decision to support the event was chiefly because of the proven quality of magical art as a tourism catalyst.

Foil attempt flayed
The Vismayam 2008 was an endeavour to liberate the art of magic to the masses which required support from all corners, said the Minister of Law, Sports and Youth Welfare, M. Vijayakumar.

“It was the unwanted suspicion a section of people had, that has foiled the proposed magic show by Mohanlal”, the Minister told.

Chairman of SB Global, R. Balachandran spoke on the occasion. Tourism Secretary, Dr. V. Venu welcomed the dignitaries and Executive Director of Magic Academy, Gopinath Muthukad tendered vote of thanks.

Earlier, magicians came to the venue taking a procession accompanied by traditional percussions, men holding decorated umbrellas and a contingent of mounted police. The gates to University Senate Hall were thrown open to the magicians by Dr. V. Venu.