First festival of female magicians

The Magic Academy in Kerala, which was set up by veteran magician Gopinath Muthukad, is to hold what is billed as the world’s first festival of female magicians on May 30.

The event titled ‘Maya 2010’ will be held with support from the Kerala State Youth Welfare Board and the Kerala State Women’s Development Corporation.

According to state Sports Minister M. Vijayakumar, around 150 delegates from various parts of the country will assemble for the event.

"The world’s leading woman magician, Luna Shimada from the US, will be here for the programme along with her husband and renowned magician Losander and daughter Tara," Vijayakumar said.

An attraction of the event is that all categories of competitions are exclusively reserved for female magicians.

Besides regular stage and close-up categories, there will be ‘Kitchen Magic’, a new section for the participants to contest.

Contestants for this category have to appear in the guise of traditional women of their locality and work magic using more kitchen utensils and vegetables than common magic equipment.

The jury would comprise other female magicians and entry is free for the public.

There would be a gala show that comprises a modern magic show by celebrated couple Luna-Losander, an illusion delight show by Karnataka magician Poornima Prahlad, ventriloquism involving three dolls by magician Indushree from Bangalore, and a mesmerising shadow play by Jayam Jammu from Coimbatore.

As a precursor to the event, three female magicians will ride motorcycles blindfolded in front of the State Secretariat.

During the blindfold act, the women magicians Ammu (Kerala), Indushree (Karnataka) and Pearl Bhumgara (Maharashtra) will advocate for "Equal rights, Equal opportunities - Progress for all" the theme for this year’s International Women’s Day. —  IANS