Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Wand in the wok

Thiruvananthapuram: A dry tap in the kitchen or an empty gas cylinder is something that sends most women into a tizzy.

But all Manonmani has to do is to wave her handkerchief and the tap spouts water, the bare vegetable shelf fills up and the cooking range goes aglow even on an empty cylinder. The magician from Coimbatore can even produce a chicken from thin air.

Ms. Manonmani bagged the first prize in the Kitchen Magic competition at Maya 2010, a women magicians' conference jointly organised by the Magic Academy, the Kerala State Youth Welfare Board and the Kerala State Women's Development Corporation here on Sunday.

Pearl Bhumgara from Maharashtra, who won the second prize in the Kitchen Magic category, and her sister Zenia Bhumgara were among those who entertained the audience. While Ms. Pearl Bhumgara produced a cabbage floating on air, her sister turned milk into milk powder and water into rice.

The highlight of the day was a training session and performance by Luna Shimada and Losander, a couple called Las Vegas thrillers.

Earlier in the morning, Sugathakumari, poet, inaugurated the conference. Health Minister P.K. Sreemathy presided over the inaugural session. Usha Titus, Secretary, Social Welfare, and Latha, member of the youth welfare board, were present.

The valedictory function was marked by a magic show by Ms. Shimada and Mr. Losander, ventriloquism by Indushree of Bangalore and a shadow play by Jayam Jammu of Coimbatore. The prize winners in various categories showcased their talents.

Ms. Zenia Bhumgara bagged the first place in the close-up magic category, with S.M. Nadhiya (Thiruvananthapuram) coming second. In the conjuring-junior category, Ramyasree (Hyderabad) was adjudged the winner, while Ms. Nadhiya emerged runner-up. Ms. Pearl Bhumgara (Mumbai) was the topper in the conjuring-senior event and Ms. Indushree was the runner-up.

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