Balarama (magazine)

Balarama
Editor-in-ChargeA. V. Harisanker
Former editorsN. M. Mohan (1983 - 2012)
Categories
  • Comic magazine
  • Children’s magazine
FrequencyWeekly
Circulation
  • 99,804 (Audit Bureau of Circulations, July–December 2018)[1]
  • Readership (TR) - 2,819,000 (Nielsen IRS 2019, Quarter IV)[2]
PublisherV. Sajeev George
Founded1972
CompanyMalayala Manorama Publications Limited
CountryIndia
Based inKottayam, Kerala
LanguageMalayalam
WebsiteOfficial website
ISSN0975-0339

Balarama (transl. Joy of Kids) is an Indian weekly comic magazine published by M. M. Publications, of Malayala Manorama Group from Kottayam, Kerala in Malayalam language (digest-sized, on every Friday).[3] It is one of the most widely read children's magazines in India (Indian Readership Survey 2019, Quarter IV).[4] Balarama celebrated its 50th year of publication in the year 2022.

Starting as a monthly for teenage youngsters in March 1972, the Balarama became a fortnightly periodical in November 1984, before finally settling as a weekly in 1999.[5][6] Along with the comics (in-house and syndicated), the content includes fables and fairy tales, rhymes, (translated) literary classics, and various puzzles. Balarama is known for its decades-long partnership with Amar Chitra Katha/India Book House (thus publishing Shikari Shambu, Kapish, Kalia the Crow, Suppandi and Tantri the Mantri and the Malayalam Amar Chitra Katha).[7] Major American comics syndicated by the magazine include Disney Comics and various super-heroes (Spider-Man, Batman, the Phantom and Mandrake the Magician). The magazine was famously edited by N. M. Mohan from 1983 to 2012.[8]

Malayala Manorama also publishes Balarama Amar Chitra Katha, Kalikkudukka, Balarama Digest (all in Malayalam), MagicPot, Manorama Tell Me Why, National Geographic Kids (English) and Akkad Bakkad (Hindi).[9][10]

  1. ^ "Malayalam Manorama Media Kit (April 2019)". Manorama Online.
  2. ^ "Nielsen Indian Readership Survey - Quarter IV - 2019" (PDF). Media Research Users Council India. 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on 25 September 2020.
  3. ^ Datta, Amaresh, ed. (2003) [1987]. Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature. Vol. I. New Delhi: Sahitya Akademi. p. 701. ISBN 9788126018031.
  4. ^ "Nielsen Indian Readership Survey - Quarter IV - 2019" (PDF). Media Research Users Council India. 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on 25 September 2020.
  5. ^ M., Noorunnida (2019). "Children's Magazines and Different Childhoods in Kerala". Sahapedia.
  6. ^ Gopalakrishnan, R. (2021). "When Our Hearts Leapt Up" (PDF). Kerala Calling. 42. Information & Public Relations Department, Government of Kerala: 38–41.
  7. ^ Krishnamurti, Sailaja Vatsala (2008). The Route to Your Roots: History, Hindu Nationalism, and Comics in India and South Asian Diaspora. Toronto: York University. pp. 47–48.
  8. ^ Jacob, Thomas (13 December 2012). "Mohippicha Oreyoru Mohan". Malayala Manorama. Kottayam. p. 10.
  9. ^ "Malayalam Manorama Media Kit (April, 2019)". Manorama Online.
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference :4 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).