In mid-2001, the magazine started a new in-house series Soothran, which later became quite popular among readers. Pinocchio was the first Disney comics to syndicate, followed by classics such as Cinderella and Alice in Wonderland. In the summer of 2000, the magazine had also started syndicating Disney Comics and Henry strips. The trend of syndicated super-heroes followed as Batman, the Phantom and Mandrake the Magician comics also appeared in subsequent years. It was the first time an American super-hero appeared in a Malayalam comic magazine. From this issue, it started syndicating American comic strips, Spider-Man. Competition for the juvenile market (2000–present) Ī major breakthrough in the development of Balarama came in the 25 March 2000 issue. From 17 April 1999, the fortnightly became a weekly. In the early 1990s, the magazine was able to print completely in multi-colour. The success of Balarama soon inspired other Malayalam daily newspapers to follow suit and produce a number of similar magazines. The Malayalam version of Amar Chitra Katha, a sister publication to Balarama, is estimated to have sold around 140,000 copies in the 1980s. Balarama, in the ensuing years, created a record in the history of the circulation of Malayalam children's magazines and replaced Poompatta as the market leader. It was during this period that Malayalam Manorama entered into a publishing and distribution association with Indian Book House. The magazine became a fortnightly periodical in November 1984. It debuted in the August 1984 issue of the magazine (and soon went on to become the flagship strip). He created the iconic Mayavi series, with Mumbai-based artist Pradeep Sathe. Mohan moved to Balarama and took charge as editor-in-chief. Golden age (1983–2000): with India Book House Mohan, the editor of Poompatta of the time (1978–82), is considered as "the architect and designer" of all the later "children's magazines" of Kerala. Poompatta, from the Pai and Pai Company (PAICO), was the first truly popular children's magazine in Kerala. Most of the early attempts on publishing popular children's magazines in Malayalam were failures (except the magazine "Ambili Ammavan", the Malayalam version of the Tamil " Chandamama"). The magazine became popular with the readers as early as 1975. The target audience was teenage youngsters more than children in this early period (over the years, the target audience was changed to children). Kunhiraman Nair, and Sukumar Azhikode used to write for the magazine. Leading Kerala literary figures such as Vyloppilli Sreedhara Menon, P.
From the beginning (1973), the magazine was praised for its "standard of content". Mathew and Kadavanadu Kuttikrishnan were the first two editors of the magazine. Publications, of Malayala Manorama Group. Publication history Early period (1972–1983): for teenage youngsters īalarama was started in 1 March 1972 as a monthly magazine by M. 2 Famous comics and series that appeared in Balarama.1.3 Competition for the juvenile market (2000–present).1.2 Golden age (1983–2000): with India Book House.1.1 Early period (1972–1983): for teenage youngsters.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). Major American comics syndicated by the magazine include Disney Comics and various super-heros ( Spider-Man, Batman, the Phantom and Mandrake the Magician).
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). Along with the comics (in-house and syndicated), the content includes fables and fairy tales, rhymes, (translated) literary classics, and various puzzles. 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. Balarama celebrated its 50th year of publication in the year 2022. It is one of most widely read children's magazines in India (Indian Readership Survey 2019, Quarter IV). Publications, of Malayala Manorama Group from Kottayam, Kerala in Malayalam language (digest-sized, on every Friday). Joy of Kids) is an Indian weekly comic magazine published by M.