Balamangalam (Malayalam: ബാലമംഗളം) was a Malayalam comic magazine published from 1980 to 2012. It was also published in Kannada under the title Balamangala.

Balamangalam
Cover of a Balamangalam issue
Editor in chargeManu Prathap
CategoriesComic magazine
FrequencyFortnightly
PublisherSabu Varghese
Founded1980
Final issue2012
CompanyMangalam Publications
CountryIndia
Based inKottayam, Kerala
LanguageMalayalam

History

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Balamangalam was first published in 1980.[1] The publisher was Mangalam Publications (India) Private Limited.[1] The fortnightly magazine featured, along with the comic strips, children's stories, rhymes and puzzles. Its target audience was children.[1] The headquarters of the magazine was in Kottayam.[1]

In October 2012, Mangalam Publications, the owners of Balamangalam, announced that they would cease publication due to poor sales. Following an outcry on social media, the publishers stated that "the closure is just temporary and Balamangalam may return soon."[2][3] However, the magazine remained closed.

Kannada-language version

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Balamangala in Kannada
 
CategoriesComic magazine
FrequencyFortnightly
FormatPrint (paperback)
PublisherMangalam Publications
CompanyMangalam Publications
CountryIndia
Based inKottayam, Kerala
LanguageKannada

Balamangala was the Kannada language edition of Balamangalam and was circulated in Karnataka, India.[4][5] [6][7] It was published by Mangalam Publication (India) Pvt. Ltd.,[8] located in Kottayam, Kerala.[9][10][11]

Along with comic strips, the magazine featured children's stories, rhymes, puzzles and crosswords,[12][13][14][15] including the fictional characters Dinga,[16][17] Shaktimaddu, Kaadina Kitta, Keraga, Pingala, Karingaada, Tuttu, Chenchu, Tiko, Chomu, Thangu Maama, Onti Salaga, and Chippu Delu.[18]

Harsha, a 15-year-old boy's first short story, "Mola Matthu Nari" (meaning: Rabbit and Fox) was published in the magazine.[19]

Dinkoism

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Based on the magazine's fictional character, Dinkan, a parody religion and a social movement called Dinkoism emerged and evolved on social networks organized by independent welfare groups in Kerala, India.[20]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Balamangalam". Just Kerala. Retrieved 3 October 2015.
  2. ^ "Pressure mounts for Dinkan's return". Archived from the original on 11 October 2012. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
  3. ^ "Pressure mounts for Dinkan's return".
  4. ^ "Government of Karnataka, Secretariat Library Collections". newskarnataka.com. Archived from the original on 30 May 2010.
  5. ^ RNI | Reg. No.44741/1989 | Name: BALAMANGALA | Link: http://rni.nic.in/registerdtitle_search/registeredtitle_ser.aspx
  6. ^ "Mangalam Group of Publications to venture in to Television Space with GEC and News Channel". tvnews4u.com. 27 June 2016. Archived from the original on 25 March 2018.
  7. ^ "Balamangalam Magazine". justkerala.in. Archived from the original on 4 October 2015.
  8. ^ "Group profile". mangalam.com. Archived from the original on 16 June 2016.
  9. ^ "Trademarks of Mangalam Publication (india) Pvt. Ltd". zaubacorp.com. Archived from the original on 25 March 2018.
  10. ^ "Mangalam Publications India Pvt Ltd". justdial.com. Archived from the original on 25 March 2018.
  11. ^ "Kerala based Mangalam Group to launch TV channel". afaqs.com. 17 November 2010. Archived from the original on 9 May 2017.
  12. ^ "Crossword Compilers". betterworldbooks.com. Archived from the original on 25 March 2018.
  13. ^ "A. Nā Prahlādarāv". openlibrary.org. Archived from the original on 25 March 2018.
  14. ^ "Help your Child Learn a New Language, Magazines for Children". parentedge.in. Archived from the original on 25 March 2018.
  15. ^ "Mast Maja Traffic cop Shantappa Babu serves humorous delights!". newskarnataka.com. 24 January 2017. Archived from the original on 25 March 2018.
  16. ^ Kiran Tom Sajan DC Kochi (7 October 2012). "Pressure mounts for Dinkan's return". Deccan Chronicle. Archived from the original on 12 October 2012. Retrieved 19 October 2012.
  17. ^ "BBC Trending, The mouse messiah bringing salvation to India's atheists". BBC News. BBC. 10 April 2016. Archived from the original on 15 May 2016.
  18. ^ "Audit Bureau of Circulation". auditbureau.org. Archived from the original on 25 March 2018.
  19. ^ "Boy writes novel at the age of 15". The Times of India. 13 August 2012. Archived from the original on 9 June 2018.
  20. ^ Express News Service (21 March 2016). "'Dinkoists' Gather Under a Troll Tree". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 24 April 2016. Retrieved 14 April 2016. ...threatening calls and opposition from staunch religious followers... the social media religion, 'Dinkoists' here on Sunday. ... no official registration ... attention entirely through Facebook....
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