From mere assistant roles to solo performances now, women magicians in India have come a long way, breaking yet another male bastion.
In a proof of their growing stature in the field, women magicians from south Indian state Kerala and different parts of the country and abroad would be exhibiting their skills at
the world's first Convention of Women Magicians to be held in Thiruvananthapuram on May 30.
About 150 magicians, including top woman magician Luna Shimada of the US, have already registered for the convention titled, 'Maya 2010', the organisers told PTI.
Hosts Kerala would be represented by 20 participants, including a 12-year-old school student.
Earlier, women magicians could perform only as assistants.
However, things have changed now and the fairer sex have started performing on their own, magician Gopinath Muthukad, the brain behind the setting up of a Magic Academy at Thiruvanathapuram, said.
Housewives, working women and students come to the academy, which is organising the convention, to learn magic as a hobby. They do perform, but very few take it up as a profession, he said.
The Academy, which started in 1996, offers various courses for beginners.
Muthukad, who has done several shows in various parts of the country and abroad and has trained Malayalam superstar Mohanlal, said the effort is to bring more women into the field of magic. Women can perform better and are more flexible, he says.
Magician Maneka Sorcar, daughter of noted magician P C Sorcar Junior had also been invited.
Former Kerala Chief Secretary, Lissie Jacob, is learning magic as a hobby and continues to take lessons regularly.
Jacob had performed during the Kerala Magicians meet in February 2008.