ISC Abu Dhabi Presents Magic Show at National Theatre

By Alphonse Mendonsa and Thomas Sequeira

Abu Dhabi, 30 October 2011: To commemorate the 40th National Day of UAE, India Abu Dhabi Social and Cultural Centre, in association with NMC-UAE Exchange Centre, presented a magnificent magic-musical show  ’Muthukad’s World of Illusions’ in the National Theatre on October 28.

 

World’s renowned magician Prof Gopinath Muthukad, (winner of prestigious Merlin award) performed astounding and amazing magic tricks, making it the most memorable magic show. Music and entertainment was provided by up-and-coming playback singers Najim Arshad and Mridula Warrier (winners of Idea Star Singer reality show).

 

Prior to beginning a brief history of Abu Dhabi India Social and Cultural Centre was displayed on a giant LCD Screen thanking all the rulers of the UAE for their unlimited support including late Shaikh Zayed Bin Al-Nahyan and the current ruler Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan who donated the free land for the building of the ISC, both old and the new.

 

" A brief felicitation function was held to honour the sponsors of the event, namely, New Medical Centre represented by Seema Shetty, daughter of B R Shetty and UAE Exchange Centre COO Global Sudhir Kumar Shetty, Thomas Abraham (Al Riyami Group), Shekar Shetty (MD Arab Udupi group of restaurants) and many other sponsors, accompanied by ambassador to the UAE M P Lokesh and Padmashree Dr. J.R. Gangaramaniexecutive chairman of the Al Farah group, and honorary president of ISC Ramesh Panicker. Mr. Richard D’Souza (Hon Treasurere IDIS), Mr. M.N. Ashok Kumar (Hon. Entertainment Secretary, ISC), Mr. M.A. Salam, Hon. Gen. Secretary, ISC) & Mr. Shyam Dev P.K. Divisional Manager, Al Reyami Group, Mr. Jairam Rai (Hon Auditor ISC), Mr. John Varghese (Hon. Vice President ISC),  and many other well known personalities and ISC Officials".

 

Ramesh Panicker welcomed the guests to the podium and thanked them for their continued support sponsoring mega magic show and also ambassador M P Lokesh and all the well-wishers, ISC officials who made this event possible and Prof Gopinath Muthukad and his troupe for coming from India to perform the magic-cum-musical show.

 

Ambassador M P Lokesh also addressed the audience and thanked the ISC officials for putting their hard work and efforts in arranging this show. The other dignitaries who attended the show were Ravi Rai (NMC Group), Sarvotham Shetty (president, Karnataka Sangha Abu Dhabi), Leo Rodrigues (Al Mazroui Automobiles), Ronald Pinto (Hyssna International LLC) and officials of India Social and Cultural Centre, Abu Dhabi.

 

 

Prof Muthukad entered the stage to a thunderous applause from the eagerly waiting audience. To the amazement of the audience he performed most astounding illusions and tricks ever witnessed by UAE audience.

 

A few of the most tricky and astonishing performance were levitating air, cutting the body with scissors, disappearance of the head from the body of an artist, passing through the running fan, and the Houdini vanishing trick. Sarvotham Shetty had locked the magician in the box, and after a while when the box was opened, two lovely girls walked out. Shetty was surprised to see Muthukad  walking in from backstage, while he had locked him up a while ago.

 

All the tricks were performance was done in a clinical, smooth fashion without any hitches and Prof Muthukad was in total control. He also performed a few tricks inviting members of the audience and little children and they were presented with gifts and certificates in appreciation.

 

As pieces of entertainment during breaks, Bollywood’s old and new numbers and Malayalam songs were presented by Malayalam stage-singers Najim Arshad and Mridula Warrier, cine artiste and dancer Shruthi Lakshmi and keyboard player Williams.

 

The national anthem of India was played along with all artistes on the stage holding the Indian Flag. Prof Muthukad thanked all involved in inviting him especially, the ISC officials, sponsors and organizers in English as well in Malayalam. The audience left with a sense of contentment and fulfilment. Surely this day will be long remembered and the memories of this great show will linger in their minds for years for sure.

 

The sponsors of the magic-musical show were NMC group, UAE Exchange Centre (title sponsor), Al Reyami Group (main sponsor) and co-sponsors the cultural wing of the embassy of India, Fathima healthcare group and Arab Udupi Restaurant.