Where’s the magic? Where’s the entertainment?

Vismayam 2008 saw over 750 magicians from India and abroad convene to Trivandrum. As always, the adherence to time was admirable and likened by many to the ways of the Indian Army! The overwhelming success of this well-organized event adds yet another feather in the cap of the Magic Academy, led ably by Gopinath Muthukad.

I am privileged to have been part of the august international jury, and use this forum to congratulate the winners of the competitions. Being a jury member for both preliminary and final rounds accorded me the chance to watch every single competition act.

The level of competition I must say was disappointing to say the least. The Best Entertainer competition was at best non-entertaining. Dariel Fitzkee once said, “While it is true that the audience may be there because he is a magician, it is even more true that his spectators are there because they expect to be entertained – entertained by magic”.

Hashim’s performance (along with a couple of others) was clearly in a league of its own. Truly, one of the very few acts that made the foreign magicians take notice; even state out loud “Finally! Some magic!”

Many may not like reading this, but seriously – Is this the best we can do? How many acts that appeared can consider competing at the forthcoming Magic Olympiad – FISM 2009 in China?

PS: This article originally appeared in the May 2008 issue of the VMN.

Meeting K Lal, the doyen on Indian Magic

Being a member of the Jury for the magical competitions at Vismayam 2008 was challenging and fun, but even that could not compare with the utmost joy gained from meeting the doyen of Indian Magic - Magician K Lal from Gujarat.

It indeed was a very special moment when the nonagenarian came visiting The Magic Space stall at Vismayam 2008, and said good things about the products that were on display and sale there.



Hearing appreciative words from Master Magician K Lal about my Essential Card Magic Kit for professional and amateur close-up entertainers was surely the best part of the four day convention for me. Not to mention, entertaining the legend was an enthralling experience that will stay with me all my life.

K Lal ji -- I have to say -- is the one of the most humble and encouraging people I have met, especially in the Magic fraternity.

Kudos to the grand old man of Indian Magic, who is billed as The World's Greatest Magician for his shows the worldover!

Please Note:
K Lal is currently performing in Chennai with his son K Lal Jr. Catch the show if you can!

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

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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

Tune in to Magic Broadcast

Season's greetings to you, my friend!

Following up on my write-up about magical blogs, I thought it best to push some agenda and try to get more of my magician friends connected.

The IndianMagique eGroup completed three years of existence on December 03. It is alive and kicking thanks to the support of nearly 40 magicians from all over the country, including some top names.

Serving as a common platform for Indian magicians to discuss the art of legerdemain, membership to the IndianMagique eGroup is strictly restricted. For more details, visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IndianMagique. To join the largest Indian magicians’ community online, send blank email to IndianMagique-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

After the self-indulgence, let me move on to an interesting topic.

If you are one of those who have the luxury of a broadband connection, then you should visit www.magicbroadcast.com. One visit to this Online Radio Station dedicated to Magic and Magicians, and you will keep going back for more.

On air since October 2004, Magic Broadcast – Radio for Magicians broadcasts magic tricks, interviews, music, and more 24/7 for magicians across the globe. So whether you use WinAmp, iTunes, or Windows Player – MagicBroadcast is the station to tune in to!

You also have the ability to download these as Podcasts, and play them through your iPod or iTune player.

I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Nakul

PS: This article originally appeared in the December 2006 issue of VMN.

Magic in the Blogosphere

I welcome the Magic Academy's foray onto the blogosphere with magicweekly.blogspot.com, and this gave me the idea to write about magician bloggers.

But I was in for a shock! Most of my favourite blogs have either disappeared, or have not been updated in some time, like my own indianmagician.blogspot.com (which has warranted an update in a long time). Most missed among these is John W LeBlanc's Blog - www.escamoteurettes.com/blog (Update on 30/1/2007: John is back! Do drop in to his blog!)

Let me share a couple of thoughts on two notable blogs, and express the hope that all my blogger friends find the time and more thoughts to share.

cardopolis.blogspot.com - David Britland, the accomplished author of many magical tomes maintains this blog. These "Random Thoughts of a Magical Nature" are truly a treat for all serious performers, because David shares the real secrets behind a good performance. And sometimes, in a generous mood, he shares some magic effects too!

thinkingmagicians.blogspot.com - Walt Anthony’ blog for the "Thinking Magicians," truly lives up to its name. Walt defines a 'Thinking Magician' as one who "rejects the limits & clichés of today’s trite & stale ideas of what a “magician” is or how “magic” is performed".

Blogs to keep an eye include: intenselymagic.blogspot.com, magicunlimited.typepad.com, magicandconjuring.blogspot.com, ibmsnightmare.blogspot.com, www.magician.org.uk, peacelovesmusings.blogspot.com, and loads more!

Nakul

PS: This article originally appeared in the November 2006 issue of VMN.