Empowering specially-abled children with a magical touch A mission that focuses on boosting self-confidence of specially-abled children by unleashing, recognising and sharpening their raw talents through scientific methods involving various artforms. DIFFERENT ART CENTRE differentartcentre.com “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” Helen Keller A mission with a magical spell led by Gopinath Muthukad, a people’s man A Magician with a Mission After setting several “firsts” and winning global recognitions in the field of magic, he founded Asia's first magic academy at Thiruvananthapuram, India. Passion to serve Apart from several highly responsible Banging on his credibility and ability to social missions assigned by communicate critical messages on child governments from time to time, his rights to many people, particularly passion for delivering magical mothers, caregivers and youth, he was messages and sincere commitment to conferred the status of Celebrity UNICEF serve the welfare of society has Supporter to join the efforts of the UN transformed Muthukad into a agency in improving condition and status motivator and an inspiring speaker. of children in the state of Kerala. As a person who adores magic, my attention was on how magic could help these innocent children. No science has ever told how a child is born differently. There has not been a complete cure to this condition - though early detection and proper interventions can help a bit. I am glad to present the world's first ever art centre exclusive for differently abled children - our Different Art Centre. The centre has changed the life of many and is sure to change many more in future. I welcome you to explore this world. Gopinath Muthukad Inspirations behind The concept was inspired and supported by respected and eminent personalities who have made their own impact in society. It is then carried forward without losing its vigor, charm and fervor. Founding Patron Former Patron Present Patron Late Malayatoor Ramakrishnan Late O.N.V. Kurup Adoor Gopalakrishnan Prominent writer, cartoonist, Renowned Malayalam Poet & Acclaimed Film Director & Dada lawyer and Indian Administrative Jnanpith Award Winner, Padma Saheb Phalke Award Winner Service officer. Shri and Padma Vibhushan Executive Director Gopinath Muthukad Celebrity UNICEF Supporter Brand ambassador for Director “Child-friendly Kerala” Chandrasenan Mithirmala differentartcentre.com Milestones in the evolution Establishment of the Academy of Magical Sciences Magic Planet established The Academy of Magical Sciences was established in Magic Planet, the world's first magic Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala with the basic objective 2014 theme park was built in 2014, to 1996 of breaking superstitions and popularize magic as an protect the public oriented art forms artform that is based on principles of science. and street performers . Spark to involve differently abled children Formation of MPower centre Anuyatra (walking together) in conjunction with the A permanent performance Government of Kerala - to integrate differently abled platform MPower centre was 2017 children into its line of programs formed in November 2017 Centre for differently abled children set up DAC formally inaugurated Aiming at exploring the artistic talents of differently abled Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan formally children and with the support from Kerala Social Security inaugurated the Different Art Centre on 07 Mission of the Government of Kerala, Magic Academy November 2019. 7 different venues for 2019 succeeded in setting up the Different Art Centre. performing artforms were setup. SCIENTIA established Extra-mural talks - MIND Under the guidance of researchers from the Western MIND series of extra mural talks by University, California, an initiative to promote curiosity eminent personalities for the differently amongst differently abled children on scientific subjects abled children and their parents. was established in the name of SCIENTIA. Charisma for mothers Universal Magic Centre - stone laid Online Events - post COVID Charisma program The Universal Magic Centre is envisaged Started a series of online magic launched on 03 December to enhance the employability of and talent show events under 2020, International Day of differently abled youth through tailored the name of Vismaya 2020 Disabled Persons skill and capacity development trainings. Saanthwanam. SCIENTIA laboratory opened Assessment report released Health Minister of Kerala, K. K. Shailaja Report on assessment of the children of DAC by Institute of Teacher inaugurated the laboratory for Communicative and Cognitive Neuro Science (ICCONS) and SCIENTIA on 01 January 2021 Child Development Centre (CDC) released in Feb 2021 Advisory committee formed DAC children lauded at National conference A panel of advisors from various parts of In a national conference held by the University of Kerala, the the world were chosen to form an students from the SCIENTIA program received appreciation 2021 Advisory Board for DAC in April 2021 for their thesis on life science ecosystem. Magic Planet opens Magic Planet, the world's first magic theme park was opened to public in 2014. The luscious green Magic Planet spread over 1.5 acres of land holds several performance venues aimed to protect street performers and many street-arts that face complete extinction due to lack of platforms. It thus becomes a rehabilitation hub for Indian street magicians, circus artists and other folk artists. Magic Planet was inaugurated on 31 October 2014, the Magic Day, by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy in the presence of many leaders and artists. Starting of a journey The differently-abled children who received special training in magic, became brand ambassadors of Anuyatra, a campaign of the state government for persons with special needs. Anuyatra was launched by Mohammed Hamid Ansari, former Vice-President of India. I congratulate Gopinath Muthukad and his team “for the immense effort put in to explore the hidden talents of the differently-abled children. The harmoniously blended use of magic to bring out these inherent talents of the children was a creative way of telling the world that they are not differently abled or disabled but specially abled and deserving to achieve wonders. Mohammad Hamid Ansari Former Vice-President of India differentartcentre.com DAC opens in 2019 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 07 November 2019. Powerful mission with a vision 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 the physical and mental development through various methods to empower these children to stand on their own feet and lead an independent life. DAC’s mission is to act as a window of opportunity in identifying, training and refining the basic talents of differently abled children in various art forms. In this process, it works to: Develop innovative approaches that will help the children to reach their fullest potential. Create unique programs that improves the mental and physical health of these children. Enable them to be the breadwinners of their family, thereby enabling them to lead a better life like others in society. Encourage and ensure active participation of differently abled children in various aspects of social life. differentartcentre.com CENTRES OF EXCELLENCE WITHIN DIFFERENT ART CENTRE The India Fort is a venue to Jaleo Mahal is dedicated to exhibit dramagic art forms Beethoven Bungalow modeled dance and related art forms. The based on the themes unity and after a traditional naalukettu uses centre aims to provide more harmony. music as a therapeutic intervention opportunities for mentally for the children with physical and challenged children who want to mental disabilities. perform dance. Wonder Wings is a creatively executed stage, built in the model of a modern aircraft The scenic Camille Cascade, with where the children can waterfall, rocks and greenery, is enthuse audience with their for those who want to try their magical parade everyday. hand at film-making, acting, cinematography and editing. Different Thought Centre creates awareness to the Angelo's Arcade is meant for public on the matters to be painting and other creative taken care to prevent arts and its exhibition. disabilities in children from early stages. The ongoing project Universal Magic Mpower Centre trains and develops Centre is envisaged to enhance the their talents, provides employment employability of differently abled while ensuring life skills to make the children more confident and youth through tailored skill and SCIENTIA - an initiative to self-aware. capacity development trainings. promote curiosity amongst differently abled children on scientific subjects India Fort The India Fort is a venue to exhibit dramagic art forms based on the themes unity and harmony. It acts as a national integration platform that will furnish a complete range of dramatic emotions from anger and aggression to joy and beauty. India Fort was opened on 15 July 2019 by the The