A DOCTOR WITH A MAGIC WAND
Linta, a 10 year old girl is fast asleep and floating in air-except for the 'support'-if you dare to call it so-offered by the pointed end of a gleaming steel sword at the nape of her neck| Her father passes a ring around her from head to toe, just to convince the gathering that she is indeed floating. Welcome to the world of magic- where you are not sure whether to believe your eyes or doubt the laws of science. The man on stage in his red costume is none other than Dr.P.C.Koruthu, ENT Surgeon of Fellowship Mission Hospital, Kumbanadu. Probably the only magician among doctors and the only doctor among magicians.
Dr.Koruthu finds pleasure in utilizing his busy professional career , to enthral the spectators with his skills in the various aspects of magic. Dr.Koruthu belongs to Pulikeezhu, a suburb of Tiruvalla. He had his training in magic at Karnataka Faculty of Magic, Bangalore-which he managed alongside his training in MBBS course, to learn magic from this prestigious institution, which can boast of training many famous professional magicians of India. His family members say, they were unaware that Koruthu was busy learning magic while his colleagues were enjoying their holidays
When asked what made him take up magic as a hobby, he had his own reasons. Apparently he was one of those incorrigible brats in his younger days and the teachers never spared the rod to discipline him while in school. To escape from the scene of punishment and make the teachers' cane disappear. Well, this childhood fantasises lay dormant and probably blossomed when he had the opportunity to learn magic.
Dr.Koruthu's wife, Dr.Suja, a Paediatrician was initially unimpressed by the magic inclinations of her husband. But she and their two daughters Linta and Leah started accompanying him on his many shows and the daughters can manage a number or two on their own! Dr.Koruthu has adopted the name Prof. ROTCOD (Doctor spelt backward)for his stage performances. He has performed in various gatherings in different parts of Kerala and Karnataka. Magic is not a source of income for him and he charges only the actual expenses involved. Magic is more of a solace from the professional work, according to him. That doesn't mean his shows are to be taken lightly. He does have the prowess of a professional magician. Apart from the usual rabbit and dove tricks, he has many innovative numbers up his sleeve. Give him a currency note he will burn it up on stage and retrieve it from the ashes-with the same serial number, of course! Or give him a news paper-will be torn to bits, only to be resurrected in one piece in its original form. Or the sudden appearance of live fish in a glass of drinking water you are holding! The various card tricks are to be seen to be believed and he has his own version of rope tricks. He even has a number or two for the young patients who scream at the sight of a doctor or hospital. They have an unforgettable experience by the time the examination is over by their favorite 'Magic Doctor Uncle'. He is much sought after for social gatherings of Doctors' clubs and other service club meetings.
He still finds time and has the patience to update his skill in magic, by trying out new techniques and learning from the stalwarts in the field so that he keeps up with the times. Like he says, the three secrets of success are practice, practice, practice.
When the doctor wields the swords and knives on stage, the crowd is enthralled by another aspect of the life of an ENT Surgeon. Now he has another waiting list, apart from his patients-those who want to learn magic. May the doctor achieve many more laurels in this world of 'Mayajal'.
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