The Children’s magazine from the Malayala Manorama Group which played a huge role in introducing the Malayali kids into the world of fables, comics, literary classics has turned 50.
The publication of Balarama started in 1972 as a monthly magazine, in November 1984 it became a fortnightly periodical, and by 1999 it became a weekly children’s magazine that hits the stands every Friday. Along with the comics (original or syndicated), the content includes fables, rhymes, literary classics, and various puzzles. Balarama is one of the most widely read children’s magazines in India as per the Indian Readership Survey 2019, Q4.
Balarama created history in the Children’s magazines publication space with its high standard content. The magazine is also known for its decades-long partnership with Amar Chitra Katha. Balarama also syndicated American comics including Disney Comics, Henry, Dennis the Menace, Dora the Explorer and also Spider-Man, Batman, the Phantom and Mandrake the Magician. Its flagship comic and series include Mayavi, Luttapi, Soothran etc. The syndicated Indian comics include Shikari Shambu, Kapish, Suppandi, Shaktiman, and more.