Magician Gopinath Muthukad’s Nationwide Campaign Advocates for Disability Inclusion

The two-month-long Inclusive India journey, led by celebrated magician Gopinath Muthukad, is set to conclude with a grand finale in the national capital on Tuesday, December 3, coinciding with International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The campaign, which began on October 6—World Cerebral Palsy Day—toured across all Indian states, staging 42 performances from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, to promote social inclusion for the differently-abled community.

This initiative marks the fifth edition of Muthukad’s Bharat Yatra, following earlier editions in 2002, 2004, 2007, and 2010. “We wanted to bring this campaign back to inspire conversations about inclusion and celebrate the extraordinary talents of the differently-abled,” Muthukad said during a curtain-raiser event on Monday.

Spearheaded by Muthukad’s NGO, Different Art Centre (DAC), the journey received support from the Union government’s Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. Muthukad, who began practicing magic at age seven and has been performing for over 45 years, established the NGO in 2019.

“DAC currently nurtures over 200 students, selected for their inherent artistic talents, to help them hone their skills and showcase their abilities,” Muthukad explained.

During the event, Muthukad introduced Vishnu, a differently-abled magician who has performed in Singapore and Japan and earned Rs 13 lakhs this year through his performances. “Vishnu’s journey is a testament to the potential of our students. He has not only mastered the art of magic but has also achieved financial independence,” Muthukad shared with pride.

The campaign also carried forward the ethos of Muthukad’s Magic Planet, the world’s first theme park dedicated to protecting public-oriented art forms and empowering marginalized communities. The performances included an array of mesmerizing tricks while advocating for the revival of street magic and the inclusion of differently-abled artists.

The climactic event will feature dignitaries such as Kerala Fisheries Minister George Kurian, Maharashtra Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Ramdas Athawale, and MP Shashi Tharoor. At Monday’s curtain-raiser, DAC students delivered a heartfelt performance of the song Bharat Humko Jaan Se Pyara Hai, filling the atmosphere with hope and joy.

Reflecting on the campaign’s impact, Muthukad said, “This journey was not just about magic; it was about building bridges of understanding, creating opportunities, and fostering a sense of belonging for the differently-abled in our society.”