Wikipedia

Gopinath Muthukad

Gopinath Muthukad (born 10 April 1964) is an Indian magician and motivational speaker from Kerala. He employs magic as a medium to convey his messages to public. Muthukad founded the world's first magic academy, The Academy of Magical Sciences, and first magic museum, Magic Planet at Thiruvananthapuram.[2]

Gopinath Muthukad
Born (1964-04-10) 10 April 1964 (age 60)[1]
Nilambur, Malappuram, Kerala, India
NationalityIndian
Alma materN. S. S. College, Manjeri
Occupations
SpouseKavitha Muthukad
ChildrenVismay Muthukad
Parents
  • Kunhunni Nair
  • Devaki Amma
Websitewww.muthukad.com

In 1995, he became the first magician in the world to perform an escape act in the style of Harry Houdini's act of 1904.[3] In the same year, he was awarded the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi award. Muthukad is the winner of the International Merlin Award instituted by the International Magicians' Society.[4]

Muthukad is the first Keralite to be honoured as the celebrity supporter by the UN agency UNICEF, for promoting child right activities in Kerala. Muthukad has announced his retirement from professional magic shows and now he has focused his area of work mainly on empowering the marginalized differently-abled community. In 2022, he was honoured with Kerala Sree Award, third highest civilian award given by the Government of Kerala.[5]

Early life

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Muthukad was born on 10 April 1964 in Kavalamukkatta, a small village near Nilambur to Kunhunni Nair and Devaki Amma.[6] Even at an early age, he showed a great interest in magic having heard stories about Vazhakkunnam who was one of the great magicians in Kerala. At the age of 10, he was caught performing magic in class by a teacher who then encouraged him to hold his first show at his school. Muthukad says this was the turning point in his life. Over the years his determination to pursue magic as a career grew stronger despite stiff opposition from his father.

After graduating in mathematics from N. S. S. College, Manjeri [citation needed] he joined Law College, Bangalore but later dropped out and left his Nilambur home for Thiruvananthapuram to pursue his passion in magic. Although his early years as a magician were full of struggles, he began to be noticed for his unique styles of presenting magic. He has appeared in more than 8,000 stages in India and abroad, and has given a new vision and mission to the art of magic.

 
Muthukad with former President of India, APJ Abdul Kalam
 
Muthukad with former Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh, 2012
 
Greeting Chinese soldiers at Nathu La Pass, 14400 feet atop Gangtok, Sikkim, after a magic show.

Endeavors

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Magic Academy

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The Academy of Magical Sciences, popularly known as Magic Academy, was established in the year 1996, in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. The founder patron was Late Malayattoor Ramakrishnan and after it was late Jnanpith awardee O. N. V. Kurup. And now the torch of leadership is handled by acclaimed film director, Shri. Adoor Gopalakrishnan.

It was established under the Cultural and Charitable Institutions Act, to uplift and promote the art of magic and to spread the message against all kinds of irrational beliefs, superstitions, violence and other evil practices existing in our society.

National Voyages

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Under the leadership of Magic Academy, Gopinath Muthukad has undertaken four national voyages from Kanyakumari to Kashmir which includes Vismay Bharata Yatra (2002), Gandhi Mantra (2005), Vismay Swaraj Yatra (2007) and Mission India (2010) and many state level voyages. All these Yatras have been undertaken with the motives to foster a sense of national integration, to spread the vital messages of Mahatma Gandhi, communal harmony, counter the violence and terrorism existing in our nation, and spread awareness against drug abuse and alcoholism

Magic Planet

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Magic Planet situated at KINFRA Film and Video Park, Kazhakkoottam, Thiruvananthapuram was established with an objective to provide a permanent rehabilitation hub for street magicians who are at the verge of complete wipe out from the main phase our society due lack of platforms to display their rare skills. Moreover it was designed to impart wonders and immense possibilities of magical art to the common public which includes the domestic tourists and foreigners visiting the state. The venture was opened to public in 2014. Currently the institution is supporting more than 200 more artistes for the daily functioning and their day today needs.[citation needed]

Mpower

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In 2017, Magic Academy with the support of Kerala State Social Security Mission conducted ‘Anuyatra’ campaign to empower the differently abled children and bring them to the mainstream of the society. 23 selected children undergone magic training and formed a magic team named ‘MPower’. Inspired by the highly successful performance of the children, Magic Academy decided to establish a permanent performance platform for them -Mpower centre with the support of UNICEF and Kerala Social Security Mission. This centre trains and develops their talents, while ensuring life skills to make them more self-aware and confident. It is for the first time in the world, a permanent magical performance centre has been opened for the specially abled talents. Today, the centre gives training to specially abled children in a mode that they can become breadwinners for their family. Recently, the Mpower team stepped into INDIA BOOK OF RECORDS for their unique performance.

Different Art Centre

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The success of Mpower paved the path in the formation of a Comprehensive Art Centre at Kazhakkuttom, Thiruvananthapuram for differently abled children to explore their artistic talents and promote the overall development of differently abled community. The centre aims to empower these children by recognizing and sharpening their raw talents through special and appropriate methods. The appreciation from the audience, reaching the centre, increases a sense of confidence and better self-awareness in all participants. The Centre was opened in 2019. Different Art Centre will act as a window of opportunity in identifying, training and refining the basic talents of differently abled children in various art forms.

UNICEF

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Gopinath Muthukad has been conferred "Celebrity UNICEF Supporter" [7][8] status to join the efforts of the UN agency in improving condition and status of children in the state. Muthukad is the first Keralite and the first magician to receive the honour. He was selected for his credibility and ability to communicate critical messages on child rights to a large number of people, particularly mothers, caregivers and youth. He joins hands with UNICEF to provide all children with opportunities to survive, develop and reach their full potential to the benefit of the sustained growth and stability of countries and a global standard of human rights for all.

Election Commission of India

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Muthukad has been designated as State Icon for Kerala by the Election Commission of India, for his activities on creating awareness and motivating the masses to participate in the electoral process. Through his magical shows, he was able to create awareness on the importance of democracy and the need to participate in the electoral processes. He was the first Keralite selected for this honour. He worked as volunteer in the North East State of India where people is reluctant to cooperate in the election process.

Awards and achievements

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  • Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award, 1995[9]
  • Prathibha Pranamam Honour by Kerala State Government, 2000
  • Merlin Award from International Magician's Society, 2011
  • Celebrity Advocate title from UNICEF for promoting child rights, 2016
  • Kerala Icon by Election Commission of India, 2016
  • Rashtriya Aavishkar Abhiyan Ambassador, 2016
  • Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Fellowship, 2018[10]
  • Leader of the 21st Century finalist by San Francisco University, 2019
  • Brand Ambassador for Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, 2020
  • Kerala Sree instituted by Government of Kerala, 2022[11]
  • Kunjunni Award, 2022[12]
  • State SVEEP Icon of Kerala by the Election Commission of India, 2023

Books

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• Magic: History, Basics (a book depicting the basics of the art of magic)

• Vazhakunnam Stories (a book depicting the stories of the great legendary magician Vazhakkunnam who was a master to Muthukad).

• Math-Magic (a book on mathematical magic)

• Easy-to-do magic tricks (a book illustrating easy magic tricks for children)

• Ee kadhayilumundoru Magic

• Ormakalude Manthrika Sparsham (Autobiography)

• Magical Mist of Memories (Autobiography) translation of "ormakalude manthrika sparsham, translated by Dr. Anoop Prathapan, published by The Book People, Olive Books, Kozhikkode ISBN 978-93-93017-05-5

• Magic Lamp

• India- Ente Pranaya Vismayam (travel book)

• India- My spellbound love (travel book)

Television shows

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Year Program Role Channel Notes
2009 Vismayam Host Kairali TV
2009-2010 Munch Star singer junior Judge Asianet
2010-2012 Munch Star singer junior season 2 Judge Asianet
2011 Evening live show Himself DD National Hindi show
2012 America today Himself Kairali TV USA
2012 Vismayakoodu Host Asianet News
2012-2013 Magic carpet Host/Magician Kairali TV
2014 Little scholar Quiz master Media One
2014 ullu thurannu Guest ACV
2015 Little scholar season 2 Quiz master Media One
2015 Little scholar season 3 Quiz master Media One
2015-2016 Little scholar season 4 Quiz master Media One
2016 Manassiloru Mazhavil Guest Kairali TV
2016 Little scholar season 5 Quiz master Media One
2016 Magic planet Magician DD Malayalam
2016-2017 IQ Master Host Kaumudy TV
2018 Charithram Enniloode Himself Safari TV
2018 American lifestyle Himself flowers TV USA
2018 You Himself Global TV
2019 Samoohyapadam Himself DD MALAYALAM
2019 Morning show Himself Mediaone
2019 Sakalakalavallabhan Judge Asianet

Personal life

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Muthukad is married to Kavitha and the couple has a son, Vismay Muthukad. He is settled with his family in Thiruvananthapuram.

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In 2023, Muthukad was accused by multiple parents and former employees of ill-treating their children and of misappropriation of funds.[13][14]

References

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  1. ^ "Gopinath Muthukad Official Site". Retrieved 20 August 2016.
  2. ^ "Gopinath Muthukad bags the magicians' Oscar". The Hindu. PTI. 22 June 2011. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  3. ^ "Indian magician performs Houdini-like escape". Rediff.com. 14 February 1997. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  4. ^ "2011 Yearbook". International Magicians Society. Archived from the original on 20 August 2016. Retrieved 20 August 2016.
  5. ^ "Kerala declares 1st-ever Padma-inspired awards; MT gets highest honour". The New Indian Express. November 2022. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
  6. ^ "Muthukad melds magic and mantra". 21 October 2015. Retrieved 20 August 2016.
  7. ^ "Muthukad conferred "Celebrity UNICEF Supporter" status". Business Standard India. Press Trust of India. 12 January 2016.
  8. ^ "Muthukad conferred "Celebrity UNICEF Supporter" status". 12 January 2016.
  9. ^ "Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award: Magic". Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Kerala. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  10. ^ "Sangeetha Nataka Akademi awards announced". The Hindu. 10 May 2018. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  11. ^ "M T Vasudevan Nair chosen for Kerala's first highest state-level award". Press Trust of India. PTI. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  12. ^ "മജീഷ്യൻ മുതുകാടിന് കുഞ്ഞുണ്ണി പുരസ്‌കാരം". Kerala Kaumudi (in Malayalam). 10 April 2022. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  13. ^ https://thefederal.com/category/states/south/kerala/kerala-magicians-art-centre-for-differently-abled-courts-controversy-105954 [bare URL]
  14. ^ https://www.thenewsminute.com/kerala/magic-messiah-or-manipulator-kerala-magician-muthukad-under-fire [bare URL]
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