Kerala - The Gods here...

Kerala.....Most brand names would seem to carry a tagline inappropriately exaggerated, but just a look at Kerala and you have found one entity whose caption feels inadequate to describe the beauty it contains. The serene, serpentine backwaters, the calm peaceful beaches, the deep green fields of coconut trees, the mood swings of the clouds, the narrow, yet sufficient roads, the educated and aware populace, the houses invisible from the road but tucked cosily inside narrow lanes, ....the list simply is unending. Each of us can look at it from our own chosen perspectives and all we'll find is a face of our country that the other parts have much to learn from.

Kerala is special not only because nature has amply endowed it, but also because there seems to be an inherent will in the system here to keep it green. That is something the rest of India can learn from this beautiful state.

Kerala is not only a beautiful place, but a place rich in culture. And the encouragement showered upon Magic here is something all others magicians are still struggling for, in their respective provinces. Kerala was the first state to include Magic in the Fine Arts category. It set a precedent that gave a huge impetus to other states' magicians to intensify their efforts for the same. And thankfully, most other states followed suit. For this magnanimous gesture, the whole Magic Fraternity of India salutes Kerala.

Rajasthan and Kerala, statistically, are the two states with maximum number of magicians AND magic-lovers. Much too many people aspire in these two states to be successful magicians in their life. And many have made big names for themselves in Kerala. Formost would be Prof: Vaazhakunnam Neelakandhan Namboodiri and K. Bhagyanath. There contribution to the overall development of Magic is incalculable.

The torch was carried forward deservingly by Shri Malayath. After the above mentioned magicians, Kerala ould have lost that glamor in magic had not Malayath resolved to devote his every living second to this art. Spreading magic even through movies, Malayath gave birth to a lot of magicians like Gopinath Muthukad who worked as his assistant for almost 8 years. Now, his son plans to succeed him and is well on the way.

Today, along with Malayath, a number of eminent magicians keep Magic's flag flying high. Among the new generation, my personal favourite is the show of Shri Samraj. Not only is the show professional in feel, I cant help but appreciate Samraj's courage in choosing HORROR theme for his show. It's quite a daring step given that most magicians prefer to keep plain entertainment in their shows here. And the result of Samraj's efforts is certainly fabulous! I remember witnessing his show where all us spectators were seated in open air. It suddenly started to rain heavily. Unlike what I predicted, the audience chose to hang on, defying the rain, getting drenched in the process, some hiding under whatever trees were nearby, some carrying a plastic bag over their heads, others tooks the plastic chairs and held them on top of themselves to shield themselves. No doubt these "shields" were just a psychological consolation. They all were drenched anyways. BUT NONE WENT OFF!!! They just couldn't. Samraj's baritone voice, his excellent presentation, his son's created sound system, the professional quality apparatus and his supreme skill turned me into his fan. I have not seen a show as captivating as his.

Shri Mithra is the only national-level magician of Kerala today, in the sense that I have come across his shows often in various parts of South India, being performed for the local population of wherever his shows are put up. Other magicians prefer to perform for the Malayali communities based in other cities. But Mithra's shows click with people of other region too. Moreover, he is the only one who has his shows running for a long duration like a month in Chennai or Madurai or other places, with tickets(not donation tickets). Although I have not been able to witness his show, people do put a lot of money to hold his shows commercially for a long period of time. The other magicians, on the other hand, perform only a show or two in a place. Mithra's show is known to have a broader spectrum of presentations which is appreciated outside Kerala too. And the sweet and polite gentleman that he is, even two minutes of conversation with him can make someone fall in love with him.

Shri Muthukad has found his place under the sun as a Brand Ambassador of Kerala Inc., performing mostly for Malayali community in various parts of the country. He has a Magic Academy in Trivandrum which helps him stay in news. He is often sponsored by the Kerala Government in his ventures. But then again, that also restricts him mostly to Malayali community.

Kerala Magicians still do not perform commercial shows. They perform contract shows in Kerala, Gulf or sometimes in other parts of the country. Many of them ask me how we are sustaining such a huge show such as ours. My answer has been simple - A GOOD, ENTERTAINING, MODERN SHOW. I explain to them just how hard we work on our show. But I always feel there is a look of disbelief in their eyes. They don't seem to accept that such a huge budget show is being run just on the confidence of having a good show. Sounds too simple to them.

And why not should it! Having mentioned these present four Giants of Kerala Magic scene, I have not the slightest doubt that each of them is a guardian of Magic right down to his blood cells. I have seen them work immensely hard, like any other successful magician in the country. Being too pedantic, there's a lot of rivalry within Kerala amongst these magicians. But as always, all that this competition has done is that it brought out the best of all of them. I remember having met Mr.Muthukad at Erode after one of his shows there. His show is obviously commendable. He was returning after a very tiring and exhausting journey of the whole country. During the show, I could see the exhaustion in his body, but more visible was the defiance in his eyes against this exhaustion. He seemed to be controlling his body through the power of his mind, as if challenging everything in his way which tests his devotion to the cause of Magic. And I have seen this look in the eyes of all these magicians. They have a formidable spirit and an unbreakable devotion towards Magic.

Having such strong-willed brothers in Magic, a certain optimism arises in my heart about future of magic in India. Yet somewhere, I know they are Atlas. They all carry their own crosses. Till the Central Government stops and takes a look at the plight of the magicians and decides to give a helping hand, Indian Magicians will keep fighting just to keep Magic alive. They will never be able to aim for any higher ambitions. Whatever they can do they will do. But the word "whatever" will remain. As of today, just a REMOVAL of tax is looked at as an encouraging gesture from the government. Getting financial and other aids is a distant dream.

Rajasthan continues to be a class apart. Jaipur has seen the laying of Foundation of a Truly Global Class Magic Academy while the Congress government reigned. A decent percentage of it's construction was over. Hopefully, when Congress returns to power there, it will finish off what it started - a 200-crore Indian International Academy of Magic which will only be the 2nd of its kind after the Magic Castle of Hollywood.