The Hindu : Kerala News : Magic fete draws to a close

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, May 05, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Kerala

Kerala

Magic fete draws to a close

— Photo: C. Ratheesh Kumar

MAGICAL MOMENT: Union Minister for Defence A.K. Antony, Minister for Forest Beony Viswom, Kerala Tourism Director M. Sivasankar and magician Gopinath Muthukad releasing pigeons to mark the valedictory of ‘Vismayam 2008’ in the capital on Sunday.

Vismayam 2008,’ a week-long International Magic Festival organised by the Magic Academy in association with the Kerala Tourism Development in the capital city, drew to a close with a ‘mass magic performance for world peace’ involving all the delegates who took part in the show. The magicians then conveyed the message by symbolically releasing pigeons into the air.

Union Minister for Defence A.K. Antony inaugurated the function by releasing a pigeon. He was joined by Benoy Viswom, Minister for Forest, and M. Sivasankar, director, Kerala Tourism Development Corporation.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Antony expressed his scepticism at magician Gopinath Muthukad’s attempt to bring world peace through magic.

“I do not know how you can achieve peace through magic. But I wish him (Muthukad) all success,” Mr. Antony said.

But the Defence Minister could not help conceal his wonderment. “Every time I see him perform I am quite amazed by the novelty of his (Muthukad’s) shows,” said Mr. Antony adding that Mr. Muthukad had brought cheer to the soldiers deployed in the Kashmir valley through his magic shows.

Sangeeth Kurian

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Kerala