Dubai: A project to rehabilitate the dying art of circus in India was announced in Dubai on Thursday.

Named ‘Circus Castle,’ the project is the latest initiative of The Academy of Magical Sciences in the south Indian state of Kerala established by renowned magician Gopinath Muthukad, who is also a world record holder and Celebrity Unicef Supporter.

Muthukad was in town to attend the Gandhi Jayanthi celebrations of the Indian consulate’s Swatantara initiative that campaigns against the use of drugs, alcohol and cigarattes, which were held on Friday.

Muthukad said some 40 circus professionals performing magic and circus are already provided accommodation at the facility. “Once we start our shows, we will also try to bring the artists over to the UAE for performing before the Indian expatriates who have been supporting our charitable initiatives in a big way,” he added.

A charitable institution, the Academy is marking its second anniversary with a proposal to offer a helping hand to circus professionals who are on the verge of a complete wipeout from the mainstream entertainment industry and society itself.

“Circus is an art which started with much fanfare in our country. But now it is in a pathetic condition and the artistes are struggling to survive and carry forward its great legacy,” Muthukad said at a press conference in Dubai.

“Even the veteran circus artists are reluctant to ask their children or grandchildren to take up this profession… and the majority of artists are struggling to make both ends meet,” he added.

The Academy’s last year launched an initiative called Magic Planet, the world’s first magic theme park, set up as a rehabilitation centre for performers making a living through magic shows on the streets in India.

Muthukad said the Circus Castle has been designed as a rehabilitation centre to promote unrecognised but talented circus performers. “Magic Planet will provide a permanent platform for them to showcase their rare skills on a daily routine basis before the public for the first time in India. This is a tribute to Keeleri Kunhikannan Master from Thalassery, who is known as the godfather of Kerala circus.”

Other veteran circus performers will also be honoured at the launch of the project in Thiruvananthapuram on World Magic Day on October 31.