A top magician from Kerala, who claims to be able to see into the future, is planning a new stunt in Bahrain by predicting the exact front page headlines of three Gulf newspapers.

Kerala-based Indian Academy of Magical Sciences executive director Gopinath Muthukad says he will predict the news headlines three days before they are published.

"I want to organise the show with the support of banks or major business houses in Bahrain by early May," he told the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.

"I shall write down the main front page headlines of six selected newspapers, including the Gulf Daily News, three days prior to their publication."

"I want to do it at a high-profile ceremony. What I write will be handed over to the chief guest and a few other VIPs, who will sign it and safely deposit it in a bank locker.

"I want them to take it out from the locker on the day of publication and verify it."

Muthukad, who is popularly known as the Indian Houdini, is the founder of the first magic academy in Asia.

"I have decided to venture into such a challenging show following the success of my forecast of the results of a key election to India's parliament three years ago," he added.

Muthukad took part last night in an event titled "India - Magic of Harmony" hosted by the Co-ordination Committee of Indian Associations and the Caravan Group of Hotels, under the patronage of the Indian Embassy.

A troupe of magicians from India showcased their talents at Delmon International Hotel last night as part of India's diamond jubilee celebrations.

Indian Ambassador Balkrishna Shetty, who was the chief guest, opened the event by lighting the traditional lamp.

The event included a video documentary presentation also titled India - Magic of Harmony.

The documentary is based on Vismay Swaraj Yatra (or An Enchanting Journey of Independence), in which the troupe captured the beauty of various places they travelled to in India from October 2 to November 30 last year.

The film show was followed by a 40-minute show for children, including magic, a shadow play and ventriloquism, by troupe member Prahlada Acharya.

Caravan Group of Hotels general manager Mohan Pillai, CCIA chairman Dr P V Cheriyan, general secretary Ulhas Karnanvar, and assistant general-secretary Samuel Kizhakkepuram spoke on the occasion.-TradeArabia News Service