Gopinath Muthukad once made a coin vanish to thunderous applause. This July, he’s trying to do something far less theatrical, yet no less magical—building a sanctuary for talent in the quiet northern district of Kasaragod, Kerala. And Sydney is his stage.
On 13 July 2025, Bowman Hall in Blacktown will host a performance that brings together music, magic and motivation under one roof. But what appears on stage is only part of the act. Every ticket purchased becomes a building block for a new arts centre that aims to transform the lives of differently abled children in India.
Muthukad, who has notched up over 8,000 shows since 1974, has long since left the commercial circuit behind. He now performs with a different purpose: enabling children sidelined by society to discover their voice—sometimes through sleight of hand, sometimes through a violin bow.
The event, dubbed M-Cube Sydney, is being staged by the Australasian Chapter of the Different Arts Centre (DAC), an Australian-registered not-for-profit organisation. The line-up includes Malayalam playback singers Swetha Ashok and Athul Narukara, violinist Vishnu Ashok, and of course, Muthukad himself—less an illusionist these days and more a social conjurer.
Swetha Ashok is a familiar name in Kerala households, having emerged from the Munch Star Singer series and now a regular presence in the Malayalam film music circuit. Narukara brings a younger audience, having gone viral with tracks like Palapalli and Chowittum Kuthum. Vishnu Ashok adds classical finesse with his violin, which often finds itself weaving between Carnatic roots and cinematic stylings.
It is an ambitious mix—pop appeal meets traditional virtuosity, all framed by the emotive power of magic. But beneath the star-studded billing is a proposition that’s remarkably grounded: using the arts to empower.
The proposed facility in Kasaragod won’t just train children in magic tricks. The curriculum will span dance, music, drama, painting and even cinema. The DAC model has already gained traction in Thiruvananthapuram, where the original centre—founded by Muthukad—has shown that children previously thought incapable of learning can excel when given the right tools, mentors, and belief.
“This isn’t just another variety show,” said a DAC spokesperson. “It’s about reshaping lives. Every clap, every laugh, every ticket is part of that effort.”
The origin of the Sydney performance lies in a smaller, more intimate event—a “Meet and Greet with Muthukad” held at Pendle Hill on 6 May 2025. The crowd turnout and feedback were enough to convince organisers that a full-scale production was not only viable but overdue. That evening sparked a wider movement within the Malayali diaspora in New South Wales, many of whom have family ties to Kerala and a deep cultural affinity for both the performers and the cause.
For Muthukad, the shift from commercial magician to full-time activist is no gimmick. After decades of performing in auditoriums, he now spends much of his time building infrastructure and designing tailored educational programs in India. His reputation has allowed him to attract both media attention and community investment, but the challenges are real: arts education for children with disabilities remains underfunded, underresearched, and underappreciated.
The Sydney event, therefore, acts as both fundraiser and awareness campaign. By importing Malayalam cultural stars and pairing them with a cause close to the diaspora’s heart, DAC is banking on the emotional economy as much as the financial one.
What’s particularly striking is the logistical clarity. The event will take place at 5:00 PM sharp, with doors open from 4:30 PM. Tickets are available through Eventik, and DAC is not coy about where the proceeds go. Every cent will support construction work at the new Kasaragod facility, now in planning stages. There’s little ambiguity. No overheads, no vague statements. Just a call to action—and a ticketed evening that happens to feature some of Kerala’s best-known names.
To the sceptic, it might all seem too earnest. But DAC isn’t marketing sentiment—it’s showcasing outcomes. The original centre has hosted numerous exhibitions and training camps. Children once labelled unteachable now perform on stage, manage stagecraft logistics, and even coach newer batches. The Kasaragod outpost is the next logical step, geographically closer to underrepresented districts and tribal regions.
The use of art—particularly magic—as an educational medium is an oddity by Western standards. But Muthukad argues that it works precisely because it engages attention in non-linear ways. For a child struggling with traditional schooling methods, the act of mastering a trick isn’t just confidence-boosting—it’s transformative. It forces discipline, encourages practice, and demands the very attention to detail that most formal systems punish them for lacking.
Australia, with its own debates around inclusion, multiculturalism and access to the arts, offers a receptive audience. And while DAC is still a relatively young organisation in the region, the response to this fundraiser could set the tone for its expansion into other cities with dense South Asian populations, such as Melbourne and Brisbane.
For now, though, the focus is squarely on Blacktown. The July performance will be part concert, part illusion show, and part communal declaration: that talent exists everywhere, and that opportunity shouldn’t be constrained by geography, ability, or bank balance.
“It’s about building a bridge,” said one organiser. “Between Sydney and Kasaragod. Between art and ability. Between where someone is born and what they could become.”
And on that Sunday evening, that bridge will look like a stage, feel like a violin string, and sound like applause.
Event Details
- What: M-cube Sydney – Music, Motivation & Magic – A Charity Fundraiser
- When: Sunday, 13th July 2025, 4:30 PM arrival (for a 5:00 PM start)
- Where: Bowman Hall, 35 Campbell St, Blacktown NSW 2148 Australia
- Tickets: Available online https://eventik.com.au/event/m-cube-sydney
- Cause: Construction of DAC arts centre in Kasaragod, Kerala
Support independent community journalism. Support The Indian Sun.
Follow The Indian Sun on X | Instagram | Facebook
🎩 Magician Gopinath Muthukad headlines 'M-Cube Sydney' charity show on 13 July. 🎶 Feat. Swetha Ashok & Athul Narukara, proceeds fund arts centre for disabled kids in #Kerala. 🏗️ Malayali diaspora-backed event at Blacktown's Bowman Hall. #TheIndianSun
🔗 https://t.co/IfHRParlUD pic.twitter.com/ejn8Cj3Aqb
— The Indian Sun (@The_Indian_Sun) June 8, 2025
Donate To The Indian Sun
Dear Reader,The Indian Sun is an independent organisation committed to community journalism. We have, through the years, been able to reach a wide audience especially with the growth of social media, where we also have a strong presence. With platforms such as YouTube videos, we have been able to engage in different forms of storytelling. However, the past few years, like many media organisations around the world, it has not been an easy path. We have a greater challenge. We believe community journalism is very important for a multicultural country like Australia. We’re not able to do everything, but we aim for some of the most interesting stories and journalism of quality. We call upon readers like you to support us and make any contribution. Do make a DONATION NOW so we can continue with the volume and quality journalism that we are able to practice.
Thank you for your support.
Best wishes,
Team The Indian Sun
