Academy of Magical Sciences and Kerala Social Security Mission, Government of Kerala joined hands to open a Comprehensive Art Centre at Kazhakkuttom, Thiruvananthapuram for differently abled children to explore their artistic talents and promote the overall development of differently abled community. The differently-abled children who received special training in magic, became brand ambassadors of Anuyatra (Walking together), a campaign of the state government for persons with special needs. Anuyatra was launched by Mohammed Hamid Ansari, former Vice-President of India. This paved the way for Magic Academy’s journey towards an inclusive society and towards empowering differently-abled community to join the mainstream.
The formation of Different Art Centre (DAC) is the fruitful culmination of untiring, relentless efforts of many, and this became a milestone in the transformation of Kerala into a differently-abled-friendly state. “Different Art Centre, founded by magician Gopinath Muthukad, is an exemplary model of a venue for catalysing the intellectual and mental progress of the differently-abled children.”, said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, while inaugurating DAC on 7 November 2019. He also said the government was proud to have such a world class facility aimed to uplift differently abled kids.
The centre aims to empower and educate specially abled children with various disabilities -not just intellectual- and expand the focus of training from concentrating on magic to art forms such as music, dance, drama, cinema making, painting and skills in various musical instruments, all blended with a magical touch. The Centre aims to empower these children by recognizing and sharpening their raw talents through special and appropriate methods. The appreciation from the audience, reaching the centre from different parts of the world, increases a sense of confidence and better self-awareness of all participants.
DAC’s vision is to develop a world class art centre that provides training and performance opportunities for talented mentally challenged children. During this process, it will strive to enrich physical and mental development through various methods to empower these children to stand on their own feet and lead an independent life.
