Magic messiah or manipulator? Kerala magician Muthukad under fire

"Muthukad instructs us to proclaim that he is our god and that our existence is sustained solely by him,” said CP Shihab, a former employee of the Different Art Centre (DAC) in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday, January 6. He was addressing a press meet in Ernakulam, held against the institute's founder and Kerala-based popular magician Gopinath Muthukad. The DAC, which is said to provide a platform for around 300 children with disabilities to showcase their talents in music, dance, painting, and various musical instruments, faces accusations from many people – including parents and staff – of using the children for fundraising purposes. TNM spoke to many who detailed their experiences and are now looking at the government for intervention. Muthukad who also spoke to TNM said that he was not someone who would do or say the things alleged against him and that the DAC’s funds are properly audited. .Shihab, a person with disability, was an anchor of the shows from DAC and a coordinator of student performances. He had come forward in support of the many damning allegations, including misbehaviour by Muthukad, raised by the parents of former and current students of the institute. Shihab shared distressing details of the treatment of children in the presence of special guests at the institute. "Children were compelled to perform continuously without even a break for meals. Any attempt to voice concerns was met with nothing but shouts," he alleged. “While I was working there, I was asked to move around on the stage without using my wheelchair. Upon questioning this, I was told that it would evoke more emotion from the audience,” Shihab added.The controversy began when Chitra CR, the mother of a child with a developmental disability, raised allegations of financial mismanagement against the institution through a Facebook post on December 29. Her son was a former student of DAC. Chitra's primary concern was over the alleged misuse of government funding allocated to the Art Centre. She questioned the lack of proper audits and transparency regarding the utilisation of the allotted funds..She also alleged that the DAC only admits children with disabilities who possess particular skills, and that only a small percentage of the allocated funds are used for their welfare. DAC and its founder Gopinath MuthukadEstablished in 2019 at the KINFRA Film and Video Park in Kazhakootam, Thiruvananthapuram, the Different Art Centre (DAC) offers training to children with disabilities in the fields of magic, music, and other performing arts. The DAC, inaugurated by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, admits children with disabilities after a talent test, with 100 students selected per batch. The centre’s founder Gopinath Muthukad is a popular magician and motivational speaker.The 59-year-old Muthukad is said to have begun giving magic performances from a very young age. By the late 80s, he had successfully branded himself as a social commentator too, adopting the motto ‘Magic with a Mission’. Between 2002 and 2010, he further built the image of a social activist by undertaking four national trips with the stated aim of spreading the messages of Mahatma Gandhi and communal harmony, counter violence and terrorism, and spread awareness against drugs and alcohol. In the years after 2010, he gained popularity through various television shows, becoming a household figure among the Malayali audience. Muthukad retired from his role as a performing magician in 2021. Besides the DAC, which was established in 2019 and inaugurated by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Muthukad founded the Academy of Magical Sciences in 1996, and Magic Planet, a magic-themed park, in 2014. Muthukad enjoys the public image of a philanthropist who focuses on children with developmental disabilities. His YouTube channel and social media handles are a collection of motivational speeches and anecdotes. The viral photos and videos centering his interactions with children with disabilities, like the ones available on his website, have helped solidify this humanitarian image among the larger public. .Funding for DACAccording to a Right to Information response received by Chitra, it has been disclosed that the DAC has secured a substantial sum of Rs 1.75 crore from the Kerala government from the financial years 2020-2023. Additionally, an allocation of Rs 75 lakhs has been earmarked for the institution in the year 2023.In September 2023, MA Yusuff Ali, the chairman of the LuLu group, pledged an annual donation of Rs 1 crore to DAC. He emphatically stated that this contribution would persist even beyond his lifetime, ensuring sustained support for the institute.Apart from government grants, the art centre is the beneficiary of funds from various countries, Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, and contributions from visitors to the facility.On January 1, Muthukad took to his YouTube channel to directly address the allegations posted by Chitra. Vehemently denying any wrongdoing, he said that all the funds he received were properly audited and that funds are only accepted through bank accounts and are accurately accounted for. He added, “The arts centre is a registered charitable society with the permit to receive funds from abroad as well as from companies as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility budgets.”Many have pointed out that while most NGOs struggle to get government funding sanctioned, Muthukad has got ample government support over the years. However that is not a surprise as throughout his career, the magician has maintained strong associations with the governments of the day. According to his website, Muthukad’s collaboration with the state government began early on, starting with a 1990 campaign for a literacy programme. Muthukad was made the brand ambassador for the state government’s ‘child-friendly Kerala’ project in 2020. As recently as in February 2023, the DAC held a National Art Festival called Sammohan, with the support of the Union Ministry of Social Justice as well as the Social Justice department of the state. In attendance at the event were Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Minister for Social Justice R Bindu, and Secretary of the Union Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Rajesh Aggarwal..In the wake of Chitra's allegations against DAC and Gopinath Muthukad, several parents have stepped forward to share harrowing experiences and raise serious complaints about the institution. Parents have cited lack of professionalism, staff shortage, and inefficiencies within the centre, prompting a closer examination of its operations. Despite DAC's emphasis on empowering children through recognition and refinement of their talents, the allegations raise questions about the overall functioning and ethics of the institution.‘Children showcased for funds’Chitra also alleged that Muthukad is hypocritical, showing care and affection toward children only in public for traction. Currently a resident of the United States of America, Chitra told TNM that Muthukad misused her son’s photographs and videos. “In 2019, an article on the DAC was published in Mathrubhumi daily, accompanied by photographs. It asserted that the children depicted, including my son, were orphans and had been adopted by Muthukad. We promptly filed a complaint seeking a correction to the news. But [Muthukad] got angry when this was raised,” she said. Pointing out another grievance, she alleged unauthorised use of her son's photo in DAC's brochures. "Even after we stopped sending my son to the institute, they persisted in featuring my son's picture in their advertisements. A friend from California brought this to my attention, revealing that all students, including my son, had sponsors from there. None of this was communicated to us, prompting my strong reaction," she explained.TNM spoke to Muthukad over phone to know his reactions to the allegations against him. He agreed that students’ pictures had been used without consent until a few months ago. “From three, four months ago, we began obtaining the parents’ consent before using the children’s pictures in our brochures and website,” he said. When asked if the pictures taken without consent have been removed from public platforms, he said that he was not certain, adding, “Other pictures will be removed from the website and social media platforms soon.” Regarding the Mathrubhumi article, he said that the word used had been ‘inmate’ and not ‘orphan’, and added that even though he had spoken to the publisher about it, no correction was made “as it had already been published”..Like this story? Become a subscriber for exclusive content.On the same Kazhakoottam campus of KINFRA where the DAC is located is the Magic Planet, a magic-themed amusement park opened by Muthukad. The visitors to the park are also granted access to the art centre. A guest relations officer conducts tours of the DAC for visitors, where they can watch the students' performances. Several videos from the centre as well as clips of Muthukad talking to the children have become viral.Parents say that the centre grants only one weekly holiday on Mondays. Even during festive occasions, it closes for merely one or two days, as a major share of visitors come there on holidays. They said that the centre prioritises visitors and potential donors over the development and welfare of the students.Renju, the mother of 19-year-old Ayush who is on the Autistic spectrum, initially had a positive impression of the centre after she went there as a visitor. She relocated from Mumbai to Thiruvananthapuram after Ayush secured admission at DAC. He attended the institute from February to May 2023. However, her perception changed after she discovered discrepancies in the treatment of the children."As a visitor, you'd really love it," Renju told TNM. "It was only later I learned that kids were taught a set of songs, dance, etc. which they perform repeatedly when visitors come." She also recalled a staff member telling her that since the centre always has visitors, including celebrities, they face difficulty in following the schedule. ‘Staff inefficient, untrained’Renju said that the performances of the children were often used to secure funding. A major concern raised by parents was the lack of educational content provided to the children. "My son was there for 75 days; he wasn't taught or has learnt anything. He was good at playing the keyboard, that is how he got selected," Renju said..The absence of a structured training schedule, coupled with alleged apathy from teachers, left Ayush bored and unengaged. Renju expressed disappointment, stating, "Teachers never communicated with parents and never ensured the safety of the children."Highlighting further concerns about the well-being of the students, Shaji Balu, the father of a 22-year-old student with Autism as well as the secretary of the Kollam Autism Club, shared his experience with journalist Sunitha Devdas on her YouTube channel. "My child faced consistent scolding from a teacher, negatively impacting his mental health. The experience was so unpleasant that my child didn't enjoy being there. There are multiple flaws in the way they handle children, with no one to intervene when they engage in fights and harm each other," he said.Renju recalled there were instances of physical harm caused to her son by staff. “During football training, a staff member held his hand twisted, which caused pain to my son. This proves how untrained the staff are to deal with children with disabilities,” she said. Muthukad told TNM that he is taking serious note of the allegations levelled against the institute, adding, “I consider this as an opportunity to learn and improve.”“I have been in the public sphere for around 45 years, and I would never say something like that,” was his response to being asked if his former employee Shihab’s accusation that he asked to be proclaimed as their ‘god’. He also added that the part in Shihab’s performance which required him to not use the wheelchair was a collaborative decision and that the programme was designed with his involvement. “The door he was supposed to enter through couldn't accommodate the wheelchair, so we, together with Shihab, chose not to use it.”.Become TNM subscriber, come for edit meetings.Additionally, Muthukad also denied Shihab’s allegation that children were not allowed even meal breaks during performances. “This never happened here. You can ask the parents of current students,” he said.Responding to the criticism about only admitting children with certain skill sets, Muthukad explained that his academy is an art centre that aims to teach magic and other art forms to children with disabilities so that they can work and earn from it. “This is not an institution of special education for children. So, we cannot admit every child,” he said.According to Muthukad, “This is an Art Centre, so primarily we recruit artists and Response to Intervention (RTI) approved special teachers and therapists.”The accusations against Muthukad do not however end there.‘Muthukad speaks insensitively’The non-residential nature of the centre mandates the presence of at least one parent during working hours, and students are provided with meals. Shaji Balu said, "They offer tea and biscuits for breakfast and a regular meal for lunch. However, a sumptuous meal is a rare occurrence and is only possible if someone sponsors it." Muthukad regularly made it a point to stress on the fact that the institute was run as a “charity” and “out of his generosity”, several parents alleged..Some of the parents recalled a parents' meeting attended by Muthukad, during which safety concerns and teacher inefficiency were brought up. Muthukad allegedly emphasised that the centre operated as a charity, saying that parents should adjust their expectations accordingly. "He said he is not taking any money for this, food is provided for free, and we should remember that it's a charity. I was devastated to hear that," Renju recalled.Allegations of misbehaviour and insensitivity were also raised by Sajitha Varma, the mother of a child with Down syndrome. This allegedly happened after she aired concerns over the irregularities in the management of the DAC. Sajitha said, "My son joined DAC in February 2023 with a keen interest in dance. However, after a few months, we noticed a lack of progress. Concerned, I discussed this with a staff member who is a psychologist, but to my surprise, Muthukad called me to the office the next day and addressed me very impatiently."Clarifying her intention, Sajitha explained, "I didn't make any formal complaint or demand anything; I was merely pointing out an irregularity in his institution. Muthukad responded by stating he didn't have a son with special needs like mine, emphasising that such children were not a part of his family. He asserted that any support we received from the institute was solely due to his generosity.""His comments made me feel very inferior. I stood there for a while, unsure of how to respond," she said. Following this incident, she cancelled her child's admission and returned to Mavelikkara, their hometown.Echoing similar concerns, Shaji Balu recounted a distressing experience during a meeting convened by Muthukad. He expressed dissatisfaction with the management and the dire condition of the children, stating, "I raised complaints about the management and the pathetic condition of the children. Muthukad took offence to the word ‘pathetic’ and his response deeply hurt me.” Shaji continued, “He said that he doesn't have a child like mine, yet he runs an organisation for children with disabilities out of generosity. Moreover, he suggested that my child need not continue in the institute. It felt like a sword had pierced my heart.”.But not all parents have complaints. Deepamol, the mother of a current student, denied the allegation about the quality of food, saying, “I am not a regular visitor at DAC. But every day, my son tells me all about his day, including the food he was served. So, I know the food is of good quality.” Deepamol is the parent of a 21-year-old autistic student who has been at the DAC since 2021. “Even though my son sings well, he was always hesitant to perform in public. He gained the confidence to sing in public due to the specialised training at DAC. As a parent, I am extremely satisfied with the training he received there," she said. Upon being asked if he had made the statement about not having a child with disability to the parents, Muthukad said, “I may have said that in a longer conversation, but it was not meant to hurt anyone. This small part has been taken out of context. In case my words have caused hurt to anyone, I am ready to apologise. However, I have never used the word generosity to the best of my recollection.”Sajitha said that Muthukad displayed intolerance towards criticism. "He doesn't appreciate any criticism about his academy. If we share concerns or feedback, he simply refuses to accept it." Deepamol disagreed, saying, “From my experience, he is willing to listen to the complaints and suggestions of parents.”Sajitha also said, "In his videos, he portrays the challenges faced by the children and the parents. While it might be necessary at times for an organisation like this to do so, I've frequently sensed that they treat the children more as showpieces than as individuals with unique needs."As more parents come forward, these troubling accounts cast a shadow over DAC, prompting a broader scrutiny of its practices and raising questions about the welfare of the children under its care.