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Here’s wishing you peace and prosperity in the 60th year of Indian Independence. As India continues safeguard its democratic governance, it is the right moment for this 5000-year-old civilization to push its way to the top of the world economic and political map.
It is time the products and services of India became known for their quality rather than their cheap-ness; time to be a “quality destination rather than a “cheap destination”. According to Ramesh Ramanathan of Janaagraha, this is possible only with a conscious effort towards high quality of service – when we stop accepting mediocrity. To receive the best, we should provide the best. Do read http://tinyurl.com/3y8y54
News from Hogwarts is that Phil Willmarth is the new president of the International Brotherhood of Magicians. Do join me in wishing Phil – a driving force behind The Linking Ring magazine – magical success at the helm of the largest magicians’ society. Do read the July issue of TLR to know more about Phil.
By the way, are you a member of the IBM? Take this as my recommendation to join, and contact B Dayanand (TVP-South) or Solyl Kundu (TVP-North) for more details. I remain keen to welcome you as a co-member.
PS: This article originally appeared in the August 2007 issue of VMN.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Sunday, July 15, 2007
A Tribute to Professor Baas
The octogenarian magician, Prof. Baas left his family and the magic community for his heavenly abode at 2:45PM on July 8, 2007. A grand magical saga came to an end this day, as Prof. Baas will be sorely missed by magicians all over India.
Born on March 21 1919, B A Srirangaraj joined the Indian Railways after his class 9, serving for 54 years until his voluntary retirement in 1978. In 1981, he started the Karnataka Foundation of Magic and taught magic over postal mail, paving the way for many top magicians of today.
Having mastered the tricks of the trade from his cousin – master magician Vasant Kumar, he performed all over India, Dubai and Seychelles. During his time, Prof. Baas enjoyed personal friendship with greats of Indian Magic like P C Sorcar Sr, Gogia Pasha, and the irrepressible K Lal.
An avid writer and editor, he keenly pursued his interests in philosophy, astrology, palmistry, hypnotism, and psychology till his dying day. Prof. Baas was a devout collector of magical trinkets, playing cards (jokers), magical cartoons and articles.
My thoughts return to January 15, when Prahlad, Giridhar, and myself had the good occasion to visit Prof. Baas, and witness some brilliant magic effects presented in his inimitable style (See http://tinyurl.com/32k8oy)
With the passing over of Prof. Baas, contemporary magic has lost its last direct link to the glorious days of Indian magic.
PS: This article originally appeared in the July 2007 issue of VMN.
Born on March 21 1919, B A Srirangaraj joined the Indian Railways after his class 9, serving for 54 years until his voluntary retirement in 1978. In 1981, he started the Karnataka Foundation of Magic and taught magic over postal mail, paving the way for many top magicians of today.
Having mastered the tricks of the trade from his cousin – master magician Vasant Kumar, he performed all over India, Dubai and Seychelles. During his time, Prof. Baas enjoyed personal friendship with greats of Indian Magic like P C Sorcar Sr, Gogia Pasha, and the irrepressible K Lal.
An avid writer and editor, he keenly pursued his interests in philosophy, astrology, palmistry, hypnotism, and psychology till his dying day. Prof. Baas was a devout collector of magical trinkets, playing cards (jokers), magical cartoons and articles.
My thoughts return to January 15, when Prahlad, Giridhar, and myself had the good occasion to visit Prof. Baas, and witness some brilliant magic effects presented in his inimitable style (See http://tinyurl.com/32k8oy)
With the passing over of Prof. Baas, contemporary magic has lost its last direct link to the glorious days of Indian magic.
PS: This article originally appeared in the July 2007 issue of VMN.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Magic at the Café
Sharing my thoughts on Mentalism and Magic at the 40th Perfect Performer Course of the Magic Academy was good fun, and I once again thank the magician attendees for the enthusiastic participation.
Sticking with the topic of Magic on the Net, today I write about the largest magic community in cyberspace – The Magic Café. Set up by Steve Brooks in 2001, www.themagiccafe.com has almost 30,000 registered members, who have posted over 17.65 lakh messages!
Arguably the most popular place on the internet to discuss magic, The Magic Café has been liked, disliked, loved, praised, and hated at varying times by magicians the world over. Then again, the Café remains the one place to go for anybody even remotely interested in the art of magic, and keen to collaborate with magicians across the world.
The Café is nicely structured not only in terms of the varying levels of a performer, and the distinct genres of magic per se, but also in terms of the prominent magic societies of the world.
And as you browse over to the Café make sure you read the welcome note by Steve, and more importantly – familiarize yourselves with the Café’s Rules and Etiquettes to enjoy your stay at the Café!
So what are you waiting for? Click over now to www.themagiccafe.com to make new friends, and learn new wares.
PS: This article originally appeared in the January 2007 issue of VMN.
Sticking with the topic of Magic on the Net, today I write about the largest magic community in cyberspace – The Magic Café. Set up by Steve Brooks in 2001, www.themagiccafe.com has almost 30,000 registered members, who have posted over 17.65 lakh messages!
Arguably the most popular place on the internet to discuss magic, The Magic Café has been liked, disliked, loved, praised, and hated at varying times by magicians the world over. Then again, the Café remains the one place to go for anybody even remotely interested in the art of magic, and keen to collaborate with magicians across the world.
The Café is nicely structured not only in terms of the varying levels of a performer, and the distinct genres of magic per se, but also in terms of the prominent magic societies of the world.
And as you browse over to the Café make sure you read the welcome note by Steve, and more importantly – familiarize yourselves with the Café’s Rules and Etiquettes to enjoy your stay at the Café!
So what are you waiting for? Click over now to www.themagiccafe.com to make new friends, and learn new wares.
PS: This article originally appeared in the January 2007 issue of VMN.
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Reading the Magic Blogs…
I hope you are already keeping a track of different magic blogs that interest you, and gaining latest information from the magic world, including valuable insights into how fellow magicians are thinking.
Some of you might be bothered that to read up on the different blogs, you need to visit each one individually and access the latest article posted. Well, there is an easy and automatic way of achieving this: To use a News Aggregator or RSS Reader.
An aggregator or reader helps you track blog and news sites by enabling a central point of access to all. Some of these operate by downloading all articles to your system (offline) while others are online aggregators that you can access from any computer connected to the Net. You can find many good applications using Google search.
Those with a computer who wish to read the articles after they have been downloaded to your system, would benefit from an offline aggregator. An online reader like the Google Reader (reader.google.com) is invaluable to those who want to keep a track of all the blogs even when they are on the move, and also those with good connectivity. Visit http://tinyurl.com/2x7zhs for a detailed list.
PS: This article originally appeared in the March 2007 issue of VMN.
Some of you might be bothered that to read up on the different blogs, you need to visit each one individually and access the latest article posted. Well, there is an easy and automatic way of achieving this: To use a News Aggregator or RSS Reader.
An aggregator or reader helps you track blog and news sites by enabling a central point of access to all. Some of these operate by downloading all articles to your system (offline) while others are online aggregators that you can access from any computer connected to the Net. You can find many good applications using Google search.
Those with a computer who wish to read the articles after they have been downloaded to your system, would benefit from an offline aggregator. An online reader like the Google Reader (reader.google.com) is invaluable to those who want to keep a track of all the blogs even when they are on the move, and also those with good connectivity. Visit http://tinyurl.com/2x7zhs for a detailed list.
PS: This article originally appeared in the March 2007 issue of VMN.
Monday, January 29, 2007
Welcome back ,John!
John LeBlanc is back to posting at his highly informative blog - www.escamoteurettes.com/blog
Surely worth your visit every now and then!
Nakul
Surely worth your visit every now and then!
Nakul
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Magical Moments with Prof. Baas
Once a magician, always a magician! This is what comes to mind when I think of the octogenarian Prof. Baas of Mysore (alias B A Srirangaraj).
Prahlad Acharya, Giridhar Kamath, and myself drove down to Mysore on January 15 to spend an eventful evening with the 88-year-young senior magician; an experience that will always remain in my good memories.
Prof Baas, who has been a little under the weather due to the cold winter, took all of five minutes to return to his jovial and enthusiastic self – sharing jokes and anecdotes from an exceptional memory that puts the rest of us to shame!
He promptly proceeded to enthral the amazed trio with some devastating magic effects, including his inimitable magic closing umbrellas! The best effect of the evening was one where a freely selected card (no force) turned out to be the only card with a different back, and matched with the only card in the wallet!
Photo Caption: Prof Baas’ highly entertaining
card effect has Giri & Prahlad in splits...
The hours spent together breezed past in no time, and we look forward to spending more time exchanging magical thoughts with this gifted magician. I use this opportunity to wish Prof. Baas good health and longevity; May the Grace of God continue to shine on this talented personality.
You may send in your good wishes and letters to Prof. Baas at # 1050, 4th Stage, T K Layout, Kuvempu Nagar, Mysore 570 009.
Nakul
PS: This article originally appeared in the January 2007 issue of VMN.
Prahlad Acharya, Giridhar Kamath, and myself drove down to Mysore on January 15 to spend an eventful evening with the 88-year-young senior magician; an experience that will always remain in my good memories.
Prof Baas, who has been a little under the weather due to the cold winter, took all of five minutes to return to his jovial and enthusiastic self – sharing jokes and anecdotes from an exceptional memory that puts the rest of us to shame!
He promptly proceeded to enthral the amazed trio with some devastating magic effects, including his inimitable magic closing umbrellas! The best effect of the evening was one where a freely selected card (no force) turned out to be the only card with a different back, and matched with the only card in the wallet!
Photo Caption: Prof Baas’ highly entertaining
card effect has Giri & Prahlad in splits...
The hours spent together breezed past in no time, and we look forward to spending more time exchanging magical thoughts with this gifted magician. I use this opportunity to wish Prof. Baas good health and longevity; May the Grace of God continue to shine on this talented personality.
You may send in your good wishes and letters to Prof. Baas at # 1050, 4th Stage, T K Layout, Kuvempu Nagar, Mysore 570 009.
Nakul
PS: This article originally appeared in the January 2007 issue of VMN.
Vismayam 2008 - International Magicians Convention announced
I just received an update from the Magic Academy Trivandrum announcing Vismayam 2008 - The Internation Magicians Convention in Kerala, India. This will be hosted from 1 to 4 May 2008 at Trivandrum, Kerala.
Here's the information received till now...
Nakul
---
Magic Academy to host international magic convention
Thiruvananthapuram: With its high organisational credentials proven through three earlier mega events in magic held as Vismayam 98, Vismayam 2000 and Vismayam 2006, now on the anvil at Magic Academy is an international convention of magicians to be held on 1-4 May 2008.
Christened Vismayam 2008, the impending event is going to be a gift to the magic fraternity from the Academy on the occasion of its 12 th anniversary. The four-day magic fair will be the biggest ever conglomeration of magicians from different parts of the world.
Vismayam 2008 will find the modern magic and antique forms of legerdemain including among others, the traditional Indian street magic merging together reinforcing the feel of oneness in the magic world.
In the path of unbeatable records
Thiruvananthapuram: It was all a modest beginning. Exactly one year after its inception, Magic Academy cut the first birthday cake at Kerala Magic Fest in 1997. Though of limited magnitude, it was enough to bestow the Academy with great aspirations for the coming years. The break of May 1998 found Vismayam 98, a convention par excellence that set a native model for organising a well-scheduled, time-managed magic festival. Just a couple of years after, the Academy came up with Vismayam 2000 that set a professional hallmark in the convening of an international magic convention. Among those who assembled for the December festival were the widely admired stars in magic including Fukai (Japan), Jorge Blass (Spain) and lady magician Valerie (France). Three days of Vismayam 2000 saw professional arrangements, judicious time management and dedicated service being provided to delegates.
The 10 th anniversary celebration of the Academy titled, Vismayam 2006 held in May last, also went beyond expectations to leave indelible impressions as if an impeccable magic convention could have, in the minds of participating magicians. Mazma, the first-ever festival of street magicians held in Dec. 05 is also considered as a glaring achievement for the Academy.
Vismayam 2008 kindles aspirations
Thiruvananthapuram: "Earlier it was an imposing dream in our minds. But now, Vismayam 2008 is visible in the magic horizon as a nascent lodestar of hopes", says the Executive Director of Magic Academy, Gopinath Muthukad.
When the very first sign of an international magic convention was conveyed six months ago during the decennial celebration of Magic Academy, the magic fraternity reciprocated to the idea with an upbeat response.
Give the best, get the best, share the best and benefit to the best of your levels, would be the slogan for Vismayam 2008, as per the minutes of a recently held Steering Committee of the Academy. Through Vismayam 2008, the Academy's effort will be to outshine its own benchmark in the conduct of magic conventions.
MARC to host the fair
Thiruvananthapuram: MARC (Magic Academy Research Centre), a centre of excellence in the art of magic, established by the Magic Academy inside the government owned KINFRA Film and Video Park at Kazhakuttam, Thiruvananthapuram will be the venue for Vismayam 2008. Here the sumptuous mix of state-of-the art facilities and nature's grace is expected to allure the hearts of delegates assembling for the four-day festival. Sprawling 75 acres of the KINFRA land has attained magnetic charm due to lush topography fondled by the fresh breeze that carry the cool of an adjacent lake.
Rules, regulations charted for Vismayam 2008 international magic convention
Thiruvananthapuram: Rules, regulations and registration procedures for the Vismayam 2008, the forthcoming international magic convention slated for 1-4 May 2008, have been finalised at Magic Academy.
Academy's Executive Director, Gopinath Muthukad chaired a meeting held in this regard on 13 th at Magic Academy Research Centre (MARC), the proposed venue of the event, at Kazhakuttam here.
This meeting was attended by magicians, Prahlad Acharya, Mhelly Bhumgara, Kaizad Bhumgara and R. Rajamoorthy; Academy's Chartered Accountant, M.B. Sanilkumar; Administrator Jayakumar and Asst. Editor of VMN, K.P.Sivakumar. Convention brochure enclosed with registration forms and list of terms and conditions will be sent to magicians by the end of this month.
Table below shows the three categories of registrations open for domestic and foreign magicians.
HIGHLIGHTS
* Performance by the world's greatest magicians
* Biggest prizes ever offered
* INR.100000 mega prize for the star of the fair
* Four categories to pluck a prize
* Early bird incentives
* Air-conditioned convention venue
* First-ever test to decide Best Entertainer
* Parade for displaying your traditional dress
* Registration limited, celebration unlimited!
Details can be availed from magicacademy@gmail.com. Website to be launched soon
Here's the information received till now...
Nakul
---
Magic Academy to host international magic convention
Thiruvananthapuram: With its high organisational credentials proven through three earlier mega events in magic held as Vismayam 98, Vismayam 2000 and Vismayam 2006, now on the anvil at Magic Academy is an international convention of magicians to be held on 1-4 May 2008.
Christened Vismayam 2008, the impending event is going to be a gift to the magic fraternity from the Academy on the occasion of its 12 th anniversary. The four-day magic fair will be the biggest ever conglomeration of magicians from different parts of the world.
Vismayam 2008 will find the modern magic and antique forms of legerdemain including among others, the traditional Indian street magic merging together reinforcing the feel of oneness in the magic world.
In the path of unbeatable records
Thiruvananthapuram: It was all a modest beginning. Exactly one year after its inception, Magic Academy cut the first birthday cake at Kerala Magic Fest in 1997. Though of limited magnitude, it was enough to bestow the Academy with great aspirations for the coming years. The break of May 1998 found Vismayam 98, a convention par excellence that set a native model for organising a well-scheduled, time-managed magic festival. Just a couple of years after, the Academy came up with Vismayam 2000 that set a professional hallmark in the convening of an international magic convention. Among those who assembled for the December festival were the widely admired stars in magic including Fukai (Japan), Jorge Blass (Spain) and lady magician Valerie (France). Three days of Vismayam 2000 saw professional arrangements, judicious time management and dedicated service being provided to delegates.
The 10 th anniversary celebration of the Academy titled, Vismayam 2006 held in May last, also went beyond expectations to leave indelible impressions as if an impeccable magic convention could have, in the minds of participating magicians. Mazma, the first-ever festival of street magicians held in Dec. 05 is also considered as a glaring achievement for the Academy.
Vismayam 2008 kindles aspirations
Thiruvananthapuram: "Earlier it was an imposing dream in our minds. But now, Vismayam 2008 is visible in the magic horizon as a nascent lodestar of hopes", says the Executive Director of Magic Academy, Gopinath Muthukad.
When the very first sign of an international magic convention was conveyed six months ago during the decennial celebration of Magic Academy, the magic fraternity reciprocated to the idea with an upbeat response.
Give the best, get the best, share the best and benefit to the best of your levels, would be the slogan for Vismayam 2008, as per the minutes of a recently held Steering Committee of the Academy. Through Vismayam 2008, the Academy's effort will be to outshine its own benchmark in the conduct of magic conventions.
MARC to host the fair
Thiruvananthapuram: MARC (Magic Academy Research Centre), a centre of excellence in the art of magic, established by the Magic Academy inside the government owned KINFRA Film and Video Park at Kazhakuttam, Thiruvananthapuram will be the venue for Vismayam 2008. Here the sumptuous mix of state-of-the art facilities and nature's grace is expected to allure the hearts of delegates assembling for the four-day festival. Sprawling 75 acres of the KINFRA land has attained magnetic charm due to lush topography fondled by the fresh breeze that carry the cool of an adjacent lake.
Rules, regulations charted for Vismayam 2008 international magic convention
Thiruvananthapuram: Rules, regulations and registration procedures for the Vismayam 2008, the forthcoming international magic convention slated for 1-4 May 2008, have been finalised at Magic Academy.
Academy's Executive Director, Gopinath Muthukad chaired a meeting held in this regard on 13 th at Magic Academy Research Centre (MARC), the proposed venue of the event, at Kazhakuttam here.
This meeting was attended by magicians, Prahlad Acharya, Mhelly Bhumgara, Kaizad Bhumgara and R. Rajamoorthy; Academy's Chartered Accountant, M.B. Sanilkumar; Administrator Jayakumar and Asst. Editor of VMN, K.P.Sivakumar. Convention brochure enclosed with registration forms and list of terms and conditions will be sent to magicians by the end of this month.
Table below shows the three categories of registrations open for domestic and foreign magicians.
| Country | Category of Registration | ||
| A | B | C | |
| India & SAARC | Rs.1500 Without accommodation | Rs.1750 Dormitory can be shared for free | Rs.2000 Double room can be shared for free |
| Others | $ 150 Without accommodation | $ 250 Non AC Room for free | $ 350 AC Room for free |
HIGHLIGHTS
* Performance by the world's greatest magicians
* Biggest prizes ever offered
* INR.100000 mega prize for the star of the fair
* Four categories to pluck a prize
* Early bird incentives
* Air-conditioned convention venue
* First-ever test to decide Best Entertainer
* Parade for displaying your traditional dress
* Registration limited, celebration unlimited!
Details can be availed from magicacademy@gmail.com. Website to be launched soon
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