Academy to provide medical aid for magicians

Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy has instituted insurance and medical claim for full-time magicians including street performers in the state.
Academy Chairman Soorya Krishnamoorthy told reporters here today that magicians were one of the most unorganised sections of artists in the state and many of them were striving hard to make both ends meet in the twilight of their life.
"We have decided to institute medical claim and insurance for all magicians along with the artists of theatre, circus and 'kathaprasangam' (story telling) in the state," he said.
Under the plan, each magician would get medical aid up to Rs 1,00,000 and Rs 500 per week if he or she is bedridden, he said.

If the artist is dead, his or her relatives would get Rs 1,00,000 as insurance.
Krishnamoorthy said it is for the first time that a state was instituting insurance and similar reliefs for magicians.
On the future programmes of Academy, he said it would organise a four-day magic festival titled "Indrajala Mahotsavam" in memory of late magician K Bhagyanath from August 10.
The best magician participating in the event would get a cash award of Rs 25,000, he said.