Muthukad to perform magic in Kozhikode as a tribute to his father

That young magician was nervous as he stepped onto the Tagore Centenary Hall here on February 20, 1987, for his first performance. He had left his legal studies midway and was uncertain about his future. But the audience in Kozhikode embraced Gopinath Muthukad with warmth as he went on to chart his own path in the field of magic thereafter.

Mr. Muthukad is returning to the city again with a grand show titled ‘Illusion to Inspiration’, as a tribute to his father, Kunjunni Nair, on August 9. “It is based on the concepts described in the book The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning, envisaging the clearing of our commitments to the people to whom we are indebted. For me, it is my parents. This two-hour show is dedicated to the memory of my father whose belief in me was the foundation for everything I have accomplished,” he told the media on Wednesday. The event, to be inaugurated by legendary magician P.C. Sorcar Junior, would be held at the Providence College Auditorium at 5.30 p.m. The two-hour programme would be a blend of magic, music, dance, and cutting-edge technology.

Mr. Muthukad said Kozhikode remained close to his heart for many reasons. “It was from here that I saw sea for the first time when I was five. It was a kind-hearted man in Kozhikode who printed the posters of my first performance for free. I bought the first vehicle for my troupe from here. When I defaulted on its loan, it was another man here who helped me clear it. My father passed away at a hospital in Kozhikode as well,” he recalled.

Mr. Muthukad stopped his professional performances around four years ago and is now running the Different Art Centre in Thiruvananthapuram for differently abled children. He is presently working on an International Institute for People with Disabilities in Kasaragod to promote their holistic development.

The event is organised in association with the Different Arts Centre, OISCA International, Malabar Chamber of Commerce, and the Indian Youth Association (IYA). IYA president T.D. Francis, OISCA International secretary general Aravindababu, OISCA International north Kerala president Philip Antony, and Malabar Chamber of Commerce president Nityananda Kammat were present.