Prospective Godmen learn Magic
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Taking to sanyas once meant renouncing all that is worldly. But, these days, it’s being seen as a sure passport to prosperity. And where else would aspiring self-styled godmen head for but Nilambur in Malappuram district in Kerala, which produces the largest number of magicians in the country.
Here, students, mostly aspiring godmen, sit in classes for their favourite subject called the ‘materialisation act’ or producing objects, preferably holy ash, siva linga and laddu, out of thin air.
Small time, upcoming godmen from Tamil Nadu and even Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh are thronging Nilambur to take magic lessons from professional magicians here.
Kerala’s most famous magician R.K.Malayath, who caused a sensation teaching magic to superstar Mohanlal, told that the trend of godmen coming to Kerala to learn the tricks of the trade started a few years ago. Malayath gets his ‘holy’ customers from Thanjavur, Madurai, Vellore, Erode and Coimbatore districts.
“They are regular visitors. Initially, I didn’t entertain them. But anyway they are being taught magic by others” he said. It is learnt that magicians here charge Rs. 5,000 per session that often lasts four days.
“They are only interested in the materialization act. Their idea is to astound their devotees by producing ‘bhasman (holy ash), siva linga or laddu out of thin air”, Malayath said.
Another magician from Nilambur who has trained a dozen ‘sanyasis’ in the last four years said he now charges about Rs. 15,000 per session. “They have lots of money,” chuckled the magician, who did not wish to reveal his identity. “The students stay in a lodge here during the course. Classes begin at 6.00 am. It does not take long to teach the tricks. But, we make them rehearse several times. Otherwise, the act will look clumsy”, said Malayath.
Advising people not to believe in the supernatural powers of godmen, Malayath said it is not possible to create something which does not exist.
“We employ various tricks to materialize things. In our parlance we call it ‘loading’. When godmen produce holy ash from thin air, you should know it is already ‘loaded’ within his reach”, he explained. Malayath claimed he was divulging such information since the atrocities of fake Godmen were on the rise in the country. “I may lose some money because of this. But, I don’t mind. It is for a good cause”, he said.
