Gopinath Muthukad

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Gopinath Muthukad is a popular magician, escapologist, and stunt performer from Kerala, India.

[edit] Biography

Magician Muthukad hails from the agrarian ambience of Nilambur, the village renowned for the plush of teak forests in the Malappuram District of Kerala. His full name being Gopinath Muthukad, this ‘man of magic’ is a darling ‘Gopi’ to close pals and ‘Indian Houdini’ for the magic fans around the world.

Muthukad's is the unique motto, ‘Magic with a Mission’. Upholding this motto, he has been using magic as a successful tool to spread virtuous ideals among masses. Two national voyages he has undertaken include, Vismaya Bharatha Yathra (15th Aug. to 31st Oct. 2002) and Gandhi Mantra (2nd Oct. to 26th Jan. 05). The first one was to foster the sense of national integration from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, covering a distance of 22,500 km by road through 22 States in India. The second journey was to distribute seven prominent messages of Mahatma Gandhi in 22 States and one Union Territory. The distance traversed was 34,500km. Gandhi Mantra’s worthiness was furthered owing to its foreign stages in countries including UK, France, U.A.E., Qatar, Oman, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Maldives.

To the latest, he has successfully completed Vismay Swaraj Yatra, a journey from Kashmir to Kanyakumari with magic shows reliving the rousing stories of India's freedom struggle from 1857 to 1947. Lives and messages of freedom fighters including Mangal Pandey, Birsa Munda and Tantia Tope were staged all over India travelling a distance of 17494 kilometers along the geographical, cultural and linguistic diversities of great Indian sub continent. [1].

It was at 11a.m. on 5th November 2007 that Magician Muthukad and his team set a world record by performing Indo-China friendship magic show at Nathu La, a historic trade corridor 14400 feet atop Sikkim in the Himalayas. The magic team set this shining record after battling climatic challenges of low pressure, deficient Oxygen and minus temperatures. [2]

His performances inclined to the very cause of social uplift has earned huge admiration from national leaders of India, including the President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh.

His startling stage magical extravaganza titled, Illusion India is described as an Indian magic show with international dimension. Inclusive of several trendy wonder scenes, Illusion India also is a blend of magic, music, dance, drama and cinema. One of the captivating features of Muthukad’s stage magic is his unique way of presentation that transforms ordinary into extraordinary with the grace of his deft hands.

Magic Academy, described widely as the first of its kind in Asia, is established and run by him in Thiruvananthapuram, the cute capital city of Kerala. Magic Academy Research Centre (MARC) the only centre of excellence in magical art is situated in the government owned, KINFRA Film and Video Park [3] away from the hustles and bustles of the city. If Magic Academy is abode to many a number of modern magic, MARC is famous as a home to heritage magic of India including Great Indian Rope Trick, Green Mango Trick, Cups and Balls, Indian Basket and several hither to unexposed street magic routines.

His inclination towards innovation and showmanship has transformed him into an icon of imaginative magic. And his readiness to break the conventional glass seal to come down from the ivory towers of popularity to use magic as a means for social service, has also earned him the unique title: 'Man of Magic'. And it was this quality that has prompted him to do more charity for celebrating 30th anniversary of his magical career. [4] His boldness to hand down his magical knowledge to discerning youngsters is yet another quality that has gifted him an admirable image - of course one major quality that has also turned a section of his conservationist counterparts envious.