Deccan Herald: Magicians get down to business

Garudi-2003, the All Karnataka Magicians’ convention in Kannada held in Bangalore recently, attracted 158 magicians from all over Karnataka, to discuss, debate and formulate the future of the art of magic in the State. This first State-level magic convention was organised by the Magic and Allied Arts Development and Research Institute (MAADRI) with patronage from the State Government.

The two-day convention saw magicians discussing the problems faced by the art form and its proponents. A 12-point declaration adopted unanimously at the end of the convention, highlighted among other things, the need to align under one platform and strengthen the magical fraternity. Coming together will enable the magicians to put across their grievances to the authorities effectively and efficiently, says magician Prahlad Acharya, convenor of Garudi-2003.

The next month or so will see MAADRI launching a bi-monthly magical magazine enabling the magicians to keep in touch with each other, says Nakul Shenoy, magician and founder-secretary of MAADRI.
The next step is the publication of an all-Karnataka magicians’ directory and we have already compiled addresses and personal information of over 250 magicians from the State, he adds.

Various lectures on magic by prominent magicians such as Uday Jadugar, Kampa Gopinath Rao and Chandrashekar were a part of the convention.
A special presentation on magic versus miracles was also presented by magician Hulikal Nataraju.

The second day of the convention hosted the first ever State-level magic competition. The first prize in the juniors category (under 14) was bagged by Master Karun Krishna of Bangalore. The second and third prize were bagged by Master Srinivas Kumar (Banga-lore) and Miss Shama Parveen Taj (Mangalore).

The first place in the seniors category was bagged by Sam-arth Shenoy from Mangalore. Shashidar Shetty (Mangalore) and Miss Indushree (Bangalore) bagged the second and third prize.

The first Garudi rolling trophy Garudi Shresta was won by Samarth Shenoy.
Founded at Udupi in 1998, MAADRI is a non-governmental organisation involved in development communication and use of magic for social education and awarness at the grassroot level. The event was managed by Yakshaloka Magcal Entertainers.

MP
Monday, January 27, 2003

Times of India: Krishna's MMS: magic messaging service

By CHETAN KRISHNASWAMY
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2003 12:44:11 AM

BANGALORE: Swamped by ill-luck and dissension, Chief Minister S.M. Krishna is relying on a retinue of professional magicians to lift his flagging fortunes.

It appears that the CM's spin-doctors have hit upon this unusual idea to effectively project the government's welfare programmes in rural areas.

Over the next 17 months, a 20-member team belonging to the Magic and Allied Arts Development & Research Institute (MAADRI), a non-governmental organisation, will tour every taluk across the 27 districts in the state.

The government's PR machine has identified nine thrust areas or "the rural man's Navachetanas" which the magicians will be giving expression to through a series of imaginative tricks.

Says M B Jayaram, communications adviser to the CM: "For quite sometime, our team had been brainstorming on how to propagate the government's work among the rural masses. Eventually, we came up with the idea of utilising the art of magic as a medium for grassroots communication."

Team leaders Prahalad Acharya and Nakul Shenoy have earnestly put together a creative module.

For showcasing Bhoomi, the government's much-celebrated project of computerising land records, Acharya takes a document, shreds it into bits, implying this was the sorry state of the records before Krishna took over.

"And after the implementation of the Bhoomi project, this is how your records look," tells Acharya plucking out a spanking-new document.

In another trick to highlight Krishna's contribution to rural education, Acharya shows three pieces of rope cut to uneven length, illustrating the economic disparities prevalent in the society.

"See what education does to this society," he announces to the audience displaying the ropes, which by this time are all equal in length.

A woman expertly slipping out of the shackles that bind her exemplifies Stree Shakti -- the government's programme for empowering rural women. The other tricks pertain to issues relevant to housing, agriculture, irrigation, water supply and sanitation, health and roads.

"The challenge here is to give a vibrancy to the drab government propaganda. We will create spectacular magical illusions and present each of the navachetanas in traditional, folk and ethnic settings," says Shenoy.

The shows, to be conducted in the presence of local MLAs and party functionaries of the region, will be complemented by a touring exhibition.

Will the magician's illusions make the Krishna government a reality?

Deccan Herald: Magic show in aid of students’ hostel

DH News Service BANGALORE, Jan 18

The Konkan Maratha Welfare Association has proposed to construct a hostel for those pursuing higher studies and those seeking employment, at Vidyar-anyapura in the City. In aid of the proposed hostel, the association is organising a magic show by Prahlad Acharya, a renowned magician who is also billed the ‘Indian Houdini,’ at the Town Hall at 6:30 pm on January 20.

The association will also honour senior people who have done the community proud. Former minister P G R Sindhia, Akhila Karnataka Kshatriya Maratha Maha Sabha President Prabhakar S Rane, Mr Hari L Khoday, MD of Jagadale Group of Industries Neelakantha Rao Jagadale, President of the Karnataka Kshatriya Maratha Parishad M G Mule and others are expected to participate.

The Konkan Maratha community of Uttara Kannada district is a well-known warrior tribe with an illustrious past. Their journey towards social upliftment began in 1920 at Krishnapur village of Sadashivgad in Karwar.

Farming is presently the prinicipal occupation of the community, but members boast of high literacy rates.

With Bangalore’s recognition as the country’s IT hub, the community has decided to construct a hostel in the City to help economically backward Konkan Maratha students aspiring for higher studies or seeking employment in the country. For more information about the project, contact (080) 3422246.

Sunday, January 19, 2003

ThatsKannada.com: Garudi 2003: Jadoo Conference

The Kannada article in ThatsKannada.com about Garudi 2003 - The First Karnataka State Level Kannada Magicians' Convention dated January 17, 2003:

http://www.thatskannada.com/news/2003/01/17/garudi.html