The magician and his team of 26 members started the “Vismay Swaraj Yatra” on October 2 from Kashmir. It was inaugurated by Gulam Nabi Azad, the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir. The yatra is supported by Ministry of Defence, Nehru Yuva Sangathan, LIC and Union Bank of India. The troupe will perform 100 free magic shows in 22 states.
Gopinath Muthukad is currently visiting the city, and will perform in MGM Public School on October 7. Talking to Newsline, he said, “The show depicts the glorious story of our nation, starting from 1857, the first war of Independence, to the time we attained freedom in 1947. It tells us about the lives of freedom fighters like Tantya Tope and Mangal Pandey, who first rose against colonial oppression. The show also depicts the plight of contemporary India where secessionists try to destabilize the peaceful coexistence of the nation. It has a rousing conclusion, and sends the message of gathering strength through people’s unity, to eradicate the evil forces in the country.”
This is the third time that Muthukad and his team are on the road for these patriotic magic shows. In 2002, his troupe performed the show for the first time, and in 2004 for the second time. But this is for the first time that the troupe performed at Wagha border, and at Srinagar. “It was my dream to perform in Kashmir. About 6,000 people watched the show, in the presence of about 3,000 security guards. The show was well appreciated.”
The series of shows will culminate at Kanyakumari on November 30. In his 31-year-long career as a magician, Gopinath has performed many daredevil stunts. He has also established Asia’s first Magic Academy in Thiruvanthapurum.