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{{Short description|Indian magician and illusionist}} | |||
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| occupation = {{hlist|[[Magic (illusion)|Magician]]|[[Illusionist]]}} | | occupation = {{hlist|[[Magic (illusion)|Magician]]|[[Illusionist]]}} | ||
| other_names = Professor Vazhakkunnam | | other_names = Professor Vazhakkunnam | ||
| spouse = K. C. Anujathi Thampuratty | | spouse = K. C. Anujathi Thampuratty | ||
| children = {{ubl|K. C. Aravindakshan Raja|K. C. Thulasidas Raja|K. C. Sumathy}} | | children = {{ubl|K. C. Aravindakshan Raja|K. C. Thulasidas Raja|K. C. Sumathy}} | ||
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| footnotes = | | footnotes = | ||
}} | }} | ||
'''Vazhakkunnam Neelakandan Namboothiri''' (8 February 1903 – 9 February 1983), better known as '''Professor Vazhakkunnam''' was an Indian performing magician and illusionist from the south Indian state of [[Kerala]]. He was one of the earliest practitioners of the art of magic in India and the pioneer of the art in Kerala, which earned him the moniker, the | '''Vazhakkunnam Neelakandan Namboothiri''' (8 February 1903 – 9 February 1983), better known as '''Professor Vazhakkunnam''' was an Indian performing magician and illusionist from the south Indian state of [[Kerala]]. He was one of the earliest practitioners of the art of magic in India and the pioneer of the art in Kerala, which earned him the moniker, "the Father of Magic in Kerala". He is credited with popularising the art form in his home state. | ||
== Biography == | == Biography == | ||
Neelakandan Namboothiri was born on 8 February 1903 (Makaram 26, 1078 on | Neelakandan Namboothiri was born on 8 February 1903 (Makaram 26, 1078 on [[Mrigashīrsha|Makyeeryam]] [[nakshatra]] as per [[Malayalam calendar]]) in Vaazhakunnath Mana in [[Thiruvegappura]], near [[Pattambi]], in [[Palakkad district]] of the south Indian state of [[Kerala]] to Raman Atithiripad, a witty Brahmin popularly known as Vaazhakkunnam Ateeri and Arya Pathanaadi, as their fourth son.<ref name="Indian Magic and Magicians - Magic History">{{Cite web |url=http://www.indianmagicians.com/magichistory/index.php |title=Indian Magic and Magicians - Magic History |date=2019-03-12 |website=indianmagicians.com |access-date=2019-03-12}}</ref> His early schooling included ''Othu'' (study of [[vedas]]) after which his elder brother, Vasudevan Namboothiri, himself known as a [[Bhagavata]] scholar, taught him [[Sanskrit]] and he learned English under the tutelage of Pattambi Narayana Iyer. He developed a liking to magic at an early age when he watched a local magician by name, Mundaya Eachara Varier, performing at his home. Later, he also developed a fascination for elephants and this led him to study ''[[Matanga Lila]]'', a Sanskrit treatise about elephants, under Kochunni Thampuran of [[Kodungallur Kovilakam]]. It was here he chanced upon a magic performance of [[Pallatheri Nambyathan Namboodiri]] and the young Neelakandan, with his teacher's permission, started learning magic under Pallatheri.<ref name="Namboothiri Magicians">{{Cite web |url=http://www.namboothiri.com/articles/magicians.htm |title=Namboothiri Magicians |date=2019-03-12 |website=www.namboothiri.com |access-date=2019-03-12}}</ref> Later, he learned the ''Bullet trick'' and ''Hair trick'' from a magician named Baker.<ref name="ഒരു ബോഗിയിലെ യാത്രക്കാരുടെ ടിക്കറ്റ് മുഴുവന് ടി ടി ഇ യുടെ പോക്കറ്റിലെത്തിച്ച വാഴക്കുന്നം">{{Cite web |url=https://www.asianetnews.com/magazine/vazhakkunnam-the-legendary-magician-from-kerala-pml9m0 |title=ഒരു ബോഗിയിലെ യാത്രക്കാരുടെ ടിക്കറ്റ് മുഴുവന് ടി ടി ഇ യുടെ പോക്കറ്റിലെത്തിച്ച വാഴക്കുന്നം |website=Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd |access-date=2019-03-12}}</ref> | ||
Vazhakunnam was married to K. C. Anujathi Thampuratty of [[Kottakkal]] Kovilakam and the couple had two sons, Aravindakshan Raja and Thulasidas Raja and a daughter, Sumathy.<ref name="MALHOTRA2015">{{cite book|author=NISHA MALHOTRA|title=71+10 MAGIC TRICKS FOR CHILDREN|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NpQ3DwAAQBAJ&pg=PT103|date=6 January 2015|publisher=V&S Publishers|isbn=978-93-5057-400-3|pages=103–}}</ref> He died on 9 February 1983, a day after his 80th birthday, survived by his three children. His wife had predeceased him in 1980.<ref name="Indian Magic and Magicians - Magic History" /> | Vazhakunnam was married to K. C. Anujathi Thampuratty of [[Kottakkal]] Kovilakam and the couple had two sons, Aravindakshan Raja and Thulasidas Raja and a daughter, Sumathy.<ref name="MALHOTRA2015">{{cite book|author=NISHA MALHOTRA|title=71+10 MAGIC TRICKS FOR CHILDREN|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NpQ3DwAAQBAJ&pg=PT103|date=6 January 2015|publisher=V&S Publishers|isbn=978-93-5057-400-3|pages=103–}}</ref> He died on 9 February 1983, a day after his 80th birthday, survived by his three children. His wife had predeceased him in 1980.<ref name="Indian Magic and Magicians - Magic History" /> | ||
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Vazhakkunnam, though he used to perform [[mesmerism]] and [[hypnotism]] occasionally, was more keen on performing impromptu magic such as ''Cheppum Panthum'', a trick using small cups and balls.<ref name="The Hindu : Old world magic still charms">{{Cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/old-world-magic-still-charms/article28340870.ece |newspaper=The Hindu | title=Old world magic still charms | date=29 July 2004 |access-date=7 September 2019}}</ref> He was one of the first performing magicians in Kerala and his contribution in developing the art form earned him the title, the ''Father of Magic in Kerala''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.hogwartsishere.com/library/book/3333/chapter/1/ |title="Indian Wizards" (Chapter 1) |date=2019-03-12 |website=hogwartsishere.com |language=en |access-date=2019-03-12}}</ref> His early performances were amidst small gatherings at homes and his first public performance on a stage was in 1940.<ref name="ഒരു ബോഗിയിലെ യാത്രക്കാരുടെ ടിക്കറ്റ് മുഴുവന് ടി ടി ഇ യുടെ പോക്കറ്റിലെത്തിച്ച വാഴക്കുന്നം" /> | Vazhakkunnam, though he used to perform [[mesmerism]] and [[hypnotism]] occasionally, was more keen on performing impromptu magic such as ''Cheppum Panthum'', a trick using small cups and balls.<ref name="The Hindu : Old world magic still charms">{{Cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/old-world-magic-still-charms/article28340870.ece |newspaper=The Hindu | title=Old world magic still charms | date=29 July 2004 |access-date=7 September 2019}}</ref> He was one of the first performing magicians in Kerala and his contribution in developing the art form earned him the title, the ''Father of Magic in Kerala''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.hogwartsishere.com/library/book/3333/chapter/1/ |title="Indian Wizards" (Chapter 1) |date=2019-03-12 |website=hogwartsishere.com |language=en |access-date=2019-03-12}}</ref> His early performances were amidst small gatherings at homes and his first public performance on a stage was in 1940.<ref name="ഒരു ബോഗിയിലെ യാത്രക്കാരുടെ ടിക്കറ്റ് മുഴുവന് ടി ടി ഇ യുടെ പോക്കറ്റിലെത്തിച്ച വാഴക്കുന്നം" /> | ||
One of the main contributions of Vazhakunnam is his students; he taught several of which students such as R. K. Malayath, who would later tutor Paryanampatta Kunchunny Nambudiripad, Joy Oliver, K. P. Krishnan Bhattathiripad, Kuttiyadi Nanu, K. S. Manoharan, K. J. Nair and Vadakkeppad Parameswaran, Raghavan went on to become known magicians in their own rights.<ref name="MALHOTRA2015" /> The Magic Academy set up by [[Gopinath Muthukad]], together with [[Kerala Sangeeta Nataka Akademi]] holds annual magic competition at [[Thalassery]], which has been named ''Vazhakunnam Memorial State-level Magic Competitions'' after Vazhakunnam.<ref name="The magic guru">{{Cite web |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/the-magic-guru/article2240465.ece |title=The magic guru |date=2007-02-10 |website=The Hindu |language=en-IN |access-date=2019-03-12}}</ref> Several poets such as [[Vallathol Narayana Menon]], [[Ulloor S. Parameswara Iyer]] and [[Kunjunni Mash]] have written poems, praising him. Ramana, the dutch magician and [[mentalist]], has established a school of magic named after Vazhakunnam under the name, ''The Vazhakunnam Namboothiri Academy of Magical Sciences''.<ref name="Ramana Magic Acts, Magic School & Brand Activating illusions.">{{Cite web |url=http://www.ramana.nl/en/ |title=Ramana Magic Acts, Magic School & Brand Activating illusions. |date=2019-03-12 |website=www.ramana.nl |language=en-US |access-date=2019-03-12}}</ref> ''Vazhakunnam Yugami'' is an all India annual magic competition organized in memory of Vazhakunnam.<ref name="VAZHAKUNNAM YUGAMI">{{Cite web |url=https://www.masterexpo.in/event/vazhakunnam-2018/ |title=VAZHAKUNNAM YUGAMI |last=Calendar |first=The Events |date=2018-01-02 |website=Master Expo |language=en-GB |access-date=2019-03-12}}</ref> | One of the main contributions of Vazhakunnam is his students; he taught several of which students such as R. K. Malayath, who would later tutor Paryanampatta Kunchunny Nambudiripad, Joy Oliver, K. P. Krishnan Bhattathiripad, Kuttiyadi Nanu, K. S. Manoharan, K. J. Nair and Vadakkeppad Parameswaran, Raghavan went on to become known magicians in their own rights.<ref name="MALHOTRA2015" /> The Magic Academy set up by [[Gopinath Muthukad]], together with [[Kerala Sangeeta Nataka Akademi]] holds annual magic competition at [[Thalassery]], which has been named ''Vazhakunnam Memorial State-level Magic Competitions'' after Vazhakunnam.<ref name="The magic guru">{{Cite web |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/the-magic-guru/article2240465.ece |title=The magic guru |date=2007-02-10 |website=The Hindu |language=en-IN |access-date=2019-03-12}}</ref> Several poets such as [[Vallathol Narayana Menon]], [[Ulloor S. Parameswara Iyer]] and [[Kunjunni Mash]] have written poems, praising him. Ramana, the dutch magician and [[mentalist]], has established a school of magic named after Vazhakunnam under the name, ''The Vazhakunnam Namboothiri Academy of Magical Sciences''.<ref name="Ramana Magic Acts, Magic School & Brand Activating illusions.">{{Cite web |url=http://www.ramana.nl/en/ |title=Ramana Magic Acts, Magic School & Brand Activating illusions. |date=2019-03-12 |website=www.ramana.nl |language=en-US |access-date=2019-03-12}}</ref> ''Vazhakunnam Yugami'' is an all India annual magic competition organized in memory of Vazhakunnam.<ref name="VAZHAKUNNAM YUGAMI">{{Cite web |url=https://www.masterexpo.in/event/vazhakunnam-2018/ |title=VAZHAKUNNAM YUGAMI |last=Calendar |first=The Events |date=2018-01-02 |website=Master Expo |language=en-GB |access-date=2019-03-12 |archive-date=26 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190226071719/http://www.masterexpo.in/event/vazhakunnam-2018/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> | ||
==Documentary on Vazhakunnam== | ==Documentary on Vazhakunnam== | ||
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==External links== | ==External links== | ||
* {{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gE2v8bV4Kk |title=Vazhakunnam | * {{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gE2v8bV4Kk |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/-gE2v8bV4Kk| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|title=Vazhakunnam Magic Festival Ernakulam 09- 02-2014 |last=miracle buster |website=[[YouTube]] |date=2014-02-16 |access-date=2019-03-12}}{{cbignore}} | ||
* {{Cite web |url=http://malayaladalam.com/2013/03/%e0%b4%ae%e0%b4%be%e0%b4%a8%e0%b5%8d%e0%b4%a4%e0%b5%8d%e0%b4%b0%e0%b4%bf%e0%b4%95%e0%b4%95%e0%b4%b2%e0%b4%af%e0%b4%bf%e0%b4%b2%e0%b5%86/prof-vazhakkunnam/ |title=Prof. Vazhakkunnam - an image |date=2019-03-12 |website=Malayaladalam |language=en-US |access-date=2019-03-12}} | * {{Cite web |url=http://malayaladalam.com/2013/03/%e0%b4%ae%e0%b4%be%e0%b4%a8%e0%b5%8d%e0%b4%a4%e0%b5%8d%e0%b4%b0%e0%b4%bf%e0%b4%95%e0%b4%95%e0%b4%b2%e0%b4%af%e0%b4%bf%e0%b4%b2%e0%b5%86/prof-vazhakkunnam/ |title=Prof. Vazhakkunnam - an image |date=2019-03-12 |website=Malayaladalam |language=en-US |access-date=2019-03-12}} | ||
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[[Category:1903 births]] | [[Category:1903 births]] | ||
[[Category:1983 deaths]] | [[Category:1983 deaths]] | ||
[[Category:Artists from Kerala]] | [[Category:Artists from Kerala]] | ||
[[Category:Malayali people]] | [[Category:Malayali people]] | ||
Latest revision as of 05:29, 28 July 2025
Vazhakkunnam | |
|---|---|
| Born | 8 February 1903 |
| Died | 9 February 1983 (aged 80) |
| Other names | Professor Vazhakkunnam |
| Occupation | |
| Spouse(s) | K. C. Anujathi Thampuratty |
| Children |
|
| Parent(s) |
|
Vazhakkunnam Neelakandan Namboothiri (8 February 1903 – 9 February 1983), better known as Professor Vazhakkunnam was an Indian performing magician and illusionist from the south Indian state of Kerala. He was one of the earliest practitioners of the art of magic in India and the pioneer of the art in Kerala, which earned him the moniker, "the Father of Magic in Kerala". He is credited with popularising the art form in his home state.
Biography[edit | edit source]
Neelakandan Namboothiri was born on 8 February 1903 (Makaram 26, 1078 on Makyeeryam nakshatra as per Malayalam calendar) in Vaazhakunnath Mana in Thiruvegappura, near Pattambi, in Palakkad district of the south Indian state of Kerala to Raman Atithiripad, a witty Brahmin popularly known as Vaazhakkunnam Ateeri and Arya Pathanaadi, as their fourth son.[1] His early schooling included Othu (study of vedas) after which his elder brother, Vasudevan Namboothiri, himself known as a Bhagavata scholar, taught him Sanskrit and he learned English under the tutelage of Pattambi Narayana Iyer. He developed a liking to magic at an early age when he watched a local magician by name, Mundaya Eachara Varier, performing at his home. Later, he also developed a fascination for elephants and this led him to study Matanga Lila, a Sanskrit treatise about elephants, under Kochunni Thampuran of Kodungallur Kovilakam. It was here he chanced upon a magic performance of Pallatheri Nambyathan Namboodiri and the young Neelakandan, with his teacher's permission, started learning magic under Pallatheri.[2] Later, he learned the Bullet trick and Hair trick from a magician named Baker.[3]
Vazhakunnam was married to K. C. Anujathi Thampuratty of Kottakkal Kovilakam and the couple had two sons, Aravindakshan Raja and Thulasidas Raja and a daughter, Sumathy.[4] He died on 9 February 1983, a day after his 80th birthday, survived by his three children. His wife had predeceased him in 1980.[1]
Career and legacy[edit | edit source]
Once Vazhakunnam tricked a ticket examiner of a Coimbatore bound train into believing all the passengers were traveling without tickets and all the tickets found in the examiner's pocket. An apocryphal story about Vazhakunnam.[3][5]
Vazhakkunnam, though he used to perform mesmerism and hypnotism occasionally, was more keen on performing impromptu magic such as Cheppum Panthum, a trick using small cups and balls.[6] He was one of the first performing magicians in Kerala and his contribution in developing the art form earned him the title, the Father of Magic in Kerala.[7] His early performances were amidst small gatherings at homes and his first public performance on a stage was in 1940.[3]
One of the main contributions of Vazhakunnam is his students; he taught several of which students such as R. K. Malayath, who would later tutor Paryanampatta Kunchunny Nambudiripad, Joy Oliver, K. P. Krishnan Bhattathiripad, Kuttiyadi Nanu, K. S. Manoharan, K. J. Nair and Vadakkeppad Parameswaran, Raghavan went on to become known magicians in their own rights.[4] The Magic Academy set up by Gopinath Muthukad, together with Kerala Sangeeta Nataka Akademi holds annual magic competition at Thalassery, which has been named Vazhakunnam Memorial State-level Magic Competitions after Vazhakunnam.[5] Several poets such as Vallathol Narayana Menon, Ulloor S. Parameswara Iyer and Kunjunni Mash have written poems, praising him. Ramana, the dutch magician and mentalist, has established a school of magic named after Vazhakunnam under the name, The Vazhakunnam Namboothiri Academy of Magical Sciences.[8] Vazhakunnam Yugami is an all India annual magic competition organized in memory of Vazhakunnam.[9]
Documentary on Vazhakunnam[edit | edit source]
Gopinath Muthukad's Magic Academy has made a 12-minute documentary on the life and art of Vazhakunnam, which has an introduction by O. N. V. Kurup and the magician's children, K. C. Thulasidas, and K. C. Sumathi talk about their father.[10]
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Indian Magic and Magicians - Magic History". indianmagicians.com. 12 March 2019. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
- ↑ "Namboothiri Magicians". www.namboothiri.com. 12 March 2019. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "ഒരു ബോഗിയിലെ യാത്രക്കാരുടെ ടിക്കറ്റ് മുഴുവന് ടി ടി ഇ യുടെ പോക്കറ്റിലെത്തിച്ച വാഴക്കുന്നം". Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 NISHA MALHOTRA (6 January 2015). 71+10 MAGIC TRICKS FOR CHILDREN. V&S Publishers. pp. 103–. ISBN 978-93-5057-400-3.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "The magic guru". The Hindu. 10 February 2007. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
- ↑ "Old world magic still charms". The Hindu. 29 July 2004. Retrieved 7 September 2019.
- ↑ ""Indian Wizards" (Chapter 1)". hogwartsishere.com. 12 March 2019. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
- ↑ "Ramana Magic Acts, Magic School & Brand Activating illusions". www.ramana.nl. 12 March 2019. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
- ↑ Calendar, The Events (2 January 2018). "VAZHAKUNNAM YUGAMI". Master Expo. Archived from the original on 26 February 2019. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
- ↑ "Tribute to the patriarch of magic". The Hindu. 9 February 2007. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
External links[edit | edit source]
- miracle buster (16 February 2014). "Vazhakunnam Magic Festival Ernakulam 09- 02-2014". YouTube. Archived from the original on 12 December 2021. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
- "Prof. Vazhakkunnam - an image". Malayaladalam. 12 March 2019. Retrieved 12 March 2019.