June 26, a day known worldwide for fighting drug abuse, marked 30 years of magician Malayil Hamsa's anti-drug campaign. Since 1995,he's used magic to highlight substance abuse dangers, inspired by witnessing alcoholism's impact in his youth .
Hamsa's been on over 3,000 stages, in India and abroad. Always includes at least one act on alcohol and drugs. His standout piece, 20-minute skit called Stop Drugs and Drinks,mixes magic with theatre to capture audiences across Kerala.
In 2013,his work got more notice when he joined Jyothirgamaya anti-drug awareness Yatra, organized by Kerala Catholic Bishops Council (KCBC) anti-alcohol committee. Collaborating with groups like the Excise Department’s Vimukthi Mission and National Health Mission,he's reached schools,colleges,cultural groups .
In 2024, he teamed up with Malappuram municipality for Drug the Trap,Save the Children,an awareness tour through several wards. His wife,Haseena Malayil, motivational speaker and principal of Kudumbashree unit Top Skill Teachers Training Centre,led parenting sessions during campaign.
Hamsa's activism isn't just on stage. In 2017,he fought against a foreign liquor outlet in Korangode, near Malappuram. He founded MATCH (Malappuram Art and Cultural Heritage), promoting local artists and heritage. Now,he’s principal at Smart Solutions mobile phone engineering institute in Manjeri .
Looking back,Hamsa sees a big change in how people view substance abuse. “Substance abuse is major threat to future generations. Anti-drug activism was once ignored. I'm glad society now sees its importance,” he said, noting the issue's growing recognition…
