KOCHI: Nilamboor Sethumadhavan hails from a family of magicians. But instead of leading an ordinary magician’s life Sethu decided to design the equipment needed for performing magic. His matchless skill in designing fetched him fame in film circles. He has assisted many art directors to mould stunning floors and unbelievable makeshift sets for myriad films.
However Sethu ensured that he did not stick to celluloid. He concentrated on the most difficult task in magic, designing the equipment needed for popular items like ‘fire escape.’ Even in the midst of a busy schedule of setting the stage for famous magicians, Sethu always cherished the catchy tricks performed by celebrities like Vazhakunnam Namboothiri and others.
‘Close-up magic’(kayyadakkam) always attracted him, says Sethu.
Inspired by the kayyadakkam shown by legendary magician Vazhakkunnam, Sethumadhavan opted to learn more about this traditional branch of Indian magic. Vazhakunnam too considered close-up magic something great. He dedicated his ‘cheppum panthum’ (A small box and a ball, the two essentials needed for Kayyadakkam) before Lord Guruvayoorappan, to mark his professional retirement, Sethu recalls.
Once he learned the basics and realised the infinite possibilities of close-up magic, Sethu's mission was to popularise the trick.
Though wide protest arose from his contemporaries, who felt that it would degrade the standard of magic to expose the secret of the magic trick, Sethu stuck to his decision. He selected small gatherings who anxiously watched his magic.
Thus celebrities from all walks of life including IPS officials, doctors, advocates and other prominent persons became disciples of Sethumadhavan.
Today Sethu is trying his best to popularise magic among the future generation by conducting regular magic classes at select schools all over Kerala. “I think it is a treasure which I have to pass on to posterity,” Sethu believes. With this aim Sethu, in association with the Sargakshethra Cultural Centre, Chethipuzha, Changanacherry, started classes.
The response from students as well as from their teachers and parents has been very encouraging.
Here too the magician stresses on the relevance of kayyadakkam in magic. A big cap and a magic wand with other paraphernalia can contribute little to magic. A real magician’s skill can be assessed from the way he creates wonders with minimum properties, Sethu believes.
With fast movements of the palms a well-trained magician can create illusions in the minds of the audience.
Sethu’s classes stressed this fact and they were well-received by schools like the Kristu Jyothy School and Placid Vidya Mandir, Chenganacherry, Kuriakose Elias School, Mannanam and Christ Central, Thiruvalla.
After learning the simple but skilled techniques hidden in myriad magical wonders, these students started to present these items before their parents, teachers and friends.
“Preparing these young minds for magic performances gives me indescribable pleasure as a magician,” Sethu said.
Once a student is given ample training in close-up magic, it will lead to a considerable growth in his career graph.
Extra ordinary observation powers with added confidence will certainly mould great personalities out of these young talented students, Sethu believes.
Even while he is engaged in moulding wonderful settings for the mega shows of prominent magicians, Sethu’s mind is always searching for the soul of closeup magic, which according to him, is the core of Indian magic.
So without considering his personal or professional engagements, Sethu moves from school to school to popularise kayyadakkam, which in turn helps pupils to weave a strong personality with sharp concentration and observation powers.
sivadasvarma@gmail.com