THIRUVANATHAPURAM: On Thursday, the magic courses approved by the Kerala University (KU) got off to a ‘magical’ start. Education Minister M A Baby waved a wand to materialise the ‘Tarbell Course in Magic’ - the work that is considered the encyclopaedia of magic - inside an open box.
The syllabi for the magic courses are also based on this seminal work. The courses are jointly conducted by the Centre for Continuing Education of the University and the Magic Academy. The Minister handed over the book to Master Mohammed Shanu.
Magic is an art that is capable of fighting superstition and social evils, Baby said. ‘’Magic has the science and vision that prompt us to think deeply of the universe we live in. The government would consider awareness programmes in schools and colleges combining magic and mathematics,’’ the Minister said.
He also asked the Magic Academy to submit a proposal in this regard to the State Council for Educational Research and Training (SCERT). Discussions are progressing on whether to include magic as an event in the school youth festival, he said. The magic course is intended to throw open a fascinating world to the students as well as help them develop social awareness, scientific knowledge, confidence, memory power and concentration, a statement issued by the Magic Academy said. Practicals aside, the course will deal with the history and the scientific basis of magic tricks.
Dr K Mohandas, director-in-charge, Continuing Education; Magic Academy executive director Gopinath Muthukad and director Chandrasenan Mithrumala also spoke.