These words sketch Maya 2010

In his recent mail to the e-group, Indianmagique@yahoogroups.com, magician Clifford N. Parekh had this much to say on his experience at the Maya 2010:

Thanks to Magician Gopinath Muthukad for making the Maya 2010 a Golden lettered day in the history of Indian Magic!

With an attendance of only 150 delegates, to undertake such a mammoth task and to go full steam ahead with all the events as scheduled is once more, a testimony of the strong foundation on which the Magic Academy stands tall.

Maya 2010 was a dream come true for the Indian Magicians who got the opportunity to meet the king of Levitation Losander from Las Vegas. The delegates witnessed excellent tips on levitation from Losander, and a top notch Gala show which showcased Losander's world famous levitation acts and Luna's unique fire ball zombie effect. After his lecture, Losender's original Levitation kit (3 CDs+props) was available for 1/3 the price in the international market.

The lady contestants/participants were really great with some surprises coming up like Mrs Jayam Jammu's mesmerizing Shadow Play, Perl Bhumgara's stylish return as a magician (First prize winner in senior Conjuring & second in kitchen), some baffling and rib tickling Ventriloquism by Indushree and the cherry on the cake – Mrs. Yona's first prize winning kitchen magic act. ( You had to see it to believe it !!!)

Three cheers to Magic Academy, Three cheers to Magician Gopinath Muthukad & Three cheers to Magic.

Moral of the story: When Magic Academy organizes a convention - Don’t miss it.
- Clifford

Maya 2010 winners

On the victory stand: (From left) Magic Mano, Tamil Nadu (First, Kitchen Magic); Pearl Bhumgara, Maharashtra (First, Stage Magic Sr.; Second, Kitchen Magic); Ramyasree, Andhra Pradesh(First, Stage Magic Jr.); Zenia Bhumgara, Maharashtra (First, Close-up Magic); Indushree, Karnataka (Second, Stage Magic Sr.); Nadhiya S.M., Kerala (Second, Stage Magic Jr.; Second, Close-up Magic). Find a special report on the newly introduced Kitchen Magic below.

Ladies do magic with thier life: Sugathakumari

For the women of wonders: Poetess Sugathakumari (second from right) lights a ceremonial lamp to mark the inaguruation of the world's first convention of woman magicians in Thiruvananthapuram on 30th of May. She is flanked by (from left)Secretary, Department of Social Welfare, Usha Titus; the Minister for Health, P.K. Sreemathi and Member, Kerala State Youth Welfare Board, Latha.

Thiruvananthapuram: Acclaimed poet and environmental activist, Sugathakumari has opined that in this modern time, ladies do lot of magic to manage with the chores of their life. She was speaking after inaugurating the world’s first woman magicians covention, ‘Maya 2010’ joingtly organised by the Magic Academy, Kerala State Youth Welfare Board (KSYWB) and the Kerala State Women’s Development Corporation. Both at home and at places of work, ladies are forced to pull the cart alone. Among them were talented magical artistes who needed support. The Maya 2010 was hence an admirable endeavour from the part of Gopinath Muthukad, his Academy and the Government agencies that support this event, Mrs. Sugathakumari added.

Radiant show: Group dance by girls provided an enchanting start for the whole event.

There are a number of ladies who have proved their talent in the arena of magic. But Maya 2010 is the first event of its kind to encourage them, said the Minister of Health, P.K. Sreemathi during her presidential address. Social Welfare Secretary, Usha Titus and Member of the KSYWB, Latha spoke on the occasion. Los Angeles magic theatres’ thriller, Luna Shimada was present.

The inaugural function was resplendent of women excellence. For example, the magicians were led to the venue by a team of ten female percusionists. The reception counter was also deputed with lady staffs. The function began with a dance performance by a group of seven danceus to the tunes of a song written by O.N.V. Kurup and composed by M.G. Radhakrishnan.

Female percusion: Magicians gathered for the Maya 2010 are being led to the venue by a group of energetic woman percusionists.

These girls dare traffic blindfolded

Amazing riders: Three blindfolded girl magicians reach their finishing point in style over brand new TVS Scooty Streaks in this act held from Government Secretariat to Gandhi Park in Thiruvananthapuram on 29th of May, marking the beginning of world's first woman magicians convention 'Maya 2010'.

Thiruvananthapuram: Ammu, 17year old girl magician from Harippad; Pearl Bhumgara at her 21 from Mumabi and 24-year-old magic star Indushree from Bangalore met in front of the Government Secretariat with a single purpose: to stage blindfold motorbike ride and herald ‘Maya 2010’ the world’s first convention of woman magicians to be held on 30th of May under the auspices of the Magic Academy, Kerala State Youth Welfare Board and the Kerala State Women’s Development Corporation.

Executive Director of the Magic Academy and Chief Organiser of the event, Gopinath Muthukad offered a welcome speech marking the beginning of the whole event. Then there was a member of the Academy, T. Divya who took a lead role and helped her counterparts to do things flawlessly. Chief guest, I.G. of Police, R. Sreelekha and the people who gathered there, watched all these curiously.

First step in the show was to convice the spectators that the three sacks used for covering the faces of the magic girls, were intact and did not permit vision. Ms. Divya took these bags and got the non permiablity of these bags placing them over the faces of few media personalities and some of the viewers. Mrs. Sreelekha then came forward and covered the faces of the girls with these thick dark sacks. Mouths of the sacks were then tightly tied. With little vision possible, the girls needed assistants to help them climb on the brand new TVS Scooty Streak mopeds. They were carrying slogans of the international women’s day, ‘Equal Rights’, ‘Equal Opportunities’ and ‘Progress for all’. With the girls getting their grips firm on the handles of their bikes, things were set for the beginning of a magical ride. Mrs. Sreelekha waved a white flag of Maya 2010 signalling the start for the trip. The three girls then drove away their mopeds slowly, but without affecting or getting affected by a heavy evening traffic of the city.

IG of Police, R. Sreelekha blindfolding one of the three girl magicians.

An announcement vehicle moved ahead of them. They took it challenges as pieces of cake and reached the finishing point at the Gandhi Park jubilantly. Once they reached there, sack covers were removed from their faces by lady magician Kaizad, Raja Moorthya nd Chandrasenan Mithirmala. On seeing the winners, an apparently large crowd at the park gave a good round of claps in appreciation of the achievement. Three girls reciprocated by showing their talent in sleights of hand before the encouraging crowd. Of course they didn’t forget to send some good messages of national integration and communal harmony during this impromptu show.

Flag off: IG of Police, R. Sreelekha waving the 'Maya 2010' flag to signal beginning of the blindfold motorbike riding.

Talented girls

The three girls who completed the blindfold act successfully were possessed with a successful career record in the arena of magic. Ammu’s talents in the art of magic was proved when she vanished a bright red scooter in daylight during a Panchayat programme a couple of months ago. Pearl Bhumgara has become Mumbai’s magic girl when she clinched the junior title at the age of 11, in competitions organised by the American Society of Magicians in U.S.A. Indushree’s fame in the world of magic was chiefly due to her talking dolls with which she performs ventriloquism in leading TV channels. The trinity is very much happy with the chance they received to perform a curtain raiser event for the historic Maya 2010 confluence.

Young achievers: Girls magicians (from left) Indushree of Karnataka, Ammu of Kerala and Pearl Bhumgara of Mumbai pose before media cameras in front of the Government Secretariat in Thiruvnanthapuram before beginning their astounding blindfold ride.

Magic-rich Maya

Luna-Losander duo heightens hope. Jayam Jammu, Poornima Prahlad, Indushree, Pearl Bhumgara and Ammu to display country’s female strength in magic. Kerala State Youth Welfare Board and Kerala State Women’s Development Corporation back the unique event.

Thiruvananthapuram: “The one day that benefits you more than a thousand days” was the slogan raised by the Magic Academy, ever since it announced the female-oriented historic event, ‘Maya 2010’. And now the programme schedule is finalized to keep up the essence of that slogan. 30th of May will have a bright beginning at 7.30am when all the delegates gather at the reporting spot set up at the Hassan Maraikar Hall, adjacent to the main venue, A.K.G. Memorial Hall.

Beginning session will have everything for the mind and body of the participants. Scrumptious breakfast, soulful performance by a handful of leading magic dealers and pretty convention bags are to provided for the delegates to give the first impression.

The first ever festival of female magicians will be then inaugurated at 9.45am at the main venue by the Minister for Health and Social Welfare, P.K. Sreemathi. Secretary, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Usha Titus will be present.

The brief function will be followed by one thing that is anxiously awaited by the delegates – erudite lecture class by the world’s No.1 lady magician, Luna Shimada. Before a delicious lunch is served at 12.30noon, peppy competition events in Close-up magic and very newly introduced Kitchen magic will happen.

The afternoon session begins at 1.30pm with competitions in Stage Magic by seniors that will be followed by a pedagogic teaching session by none other than Losander the ‘Emperor of Levitation Art’ in magic.

Stage Magic competitions for junior candidates will be held before the closing ceremony starts at 6.30pm. Then an array of leading female magic stars line up and present the best of their talents.

The gala begins with a spectacular performance by the magic couple, Luna and Losander.

Jayam Jammu with her famed shadow play, Indushree and her renowned talking dolls and Poornima Acharya with her stylish illusions are also among the performers.

Not over, the first and second prize winners will also display their winning performances.

Maya 2010 aims to be women dominent and rich in programmes

Thiruvananthapuram: The organising committee of ‘Maya 2010’, the world’s first convention of woman magicians, has met here to plan programmes for the historic day.

Enough numbers of contestants have enrolled for the four categories of competitions. More are expected to register before the extended last date of April 30th. “This is going to be the world’s first endeavour where only woman magicians are allowed to compete. Also only woman magicians are allowed to lead groups”, said Honorary Director of the Magic Academy, Chandrasenan Mithirmala. He said that more organisations will come in future with similar events for which Maya 2010 should set a benchmark.

In fact the ‘Vismayam’ international conventions organized by the Academy continue to inspire others to keep up with quality standards in the conduct of magic conventions. This time, the participation of the world's most famous lady magician, Luna Shimada and her husband and world's most famous levitation magician, Losander would surely make the event more attractive.

Women dominance
The programmes are being charted to ensure dominance of women on and off the stage. “We are planning to depute a team of able ladies for the total conduct of the event. Our ambition is that the reception, front office and dais have due female presence”, says Divya T., who has been looking after registrations.

Help desk of the event is open at womanmagicians@gmail.com.

FAQs on upcoming Maya 2010

Clear your doubts on the world's first Woman Magicians Convention on the anvil.


Objective? To promote female performers of magical art

Males? Can register, but not in groups of two or more members.

Groups? In each group of two or members, one of them should be a female leader who should sign the form.

Competitions? Exclusively reserved for females. Categories are: Stage Sr., Stage Jr., Close-up (Common) and Kitchen Magic (Common)

Kitchen Magic? This is going to be a brand new introduction. Here the performer should resemble more to an Indian housewife than a magician. Majority of equipments should be kitchen utensils and vegetables than usual magic equipments.

Dealer Stalls? Males can avail. But Dealer’s Demo should be made by a female magician.

Application forms: Available for download on www.muthukad.com

Instant support? Call Tel: 0471 2358910 or contact your Magic Sister at womanmagicians@gmail.com

Food? Breakfast, Tea + Snacks (twice), Lunch and Dinner will be provided on 30th May 2010.

Accommodation: Not provided. But assistance can be made as per availability and rules of individual hotels of the locality, if a written request with enough payment is provided to the Academy on or before 16/04/2010.

Las Date & Payments? Registration forms with necessary enclosures must reach Magi c Academy on or before 16/04/2010. All payments by Bank Draf in favour of the Magic Academy, Poojappura, Thiruvananthapuram 695012 Kerala.

Woman Magicians' Convention registration forms

Thiruvananthapuram: The Magic Academy has released brochure, registration forms and terms and conditions for becoming delegates for the historic 'Maya 2010' Woman Magicians' Convention to be held here on 30th May. The event that would befittingly mark the 14th anniversary of the Academy gives prominence to female presence in the world of magic. Male magicians can register individually. In single registration form submitted for two or more magicians, it is a must that one of them is a female leader who has to sign the form.

Since the convention is held with the primary objective of encouraging female magicians, slots like competitions are exclusively reserved for them only. An innovative Kitchen Magic Contest is going to add difference to the entire event.

Interested magicians can download the registration forms and terms and conditions by click enlarging and saving the images uploaded here. Enough copies of these are also sent today to as many as 2500 magicians all over the country from the Academy. The terms and conditions should be red and clearly understood before starting to filling in the form. Duly filled in forms should reach the Magic Academy, Poojappura (PO), Thiruvananthapuram 695012 Kerala, India, on or before 16th of April 2010.

Woman Magicians' Convention going to be the first in the world

Poll Result (December - 1)
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Is the Woman Magicians' Convention to be organised by the Magic Academy going to be the first of its kind in the world?

YES: 58%

NO: 25%

And
17%: No idea

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