Tinkle - The Children's Magazine.

All children just love comics. However, Tinkle is much more than just a comic. It is a children's magazine that has comics, stories, puzzles, quizzes, contests and many other interesting features and is meant for school children. It was first published in 1980 by India Book House but since 2007 it is published by ACK (Amar Chirta Katha) Media. The magazine was published monthly but since July 2016 it is published fortnightly in many languages including English, Hindi, Malayalam and Assamese.  

Although the magazine does not have any specific theme, it uses humour to teach moral lessons and also teaches us about Indian history and mythology.

Tinkle was created by Anant Pai (17 September 1929 – 24 February 2011), popularly known as Uncle Pai. He was the pioneer of comics in India and is famous for creating Amar Chitra Katha and Tinkle. He got the idea of starting a comic series based on Indian Culture and History when he saw, on a quiz program, that children knew the answers to Greek mythology but could not answer questions on Indian mythology. Uncle Pai won a lot of awards for his work. In 2011, Google's search page honoured Uncle Pai with a Google Doodle on his 82nd birthday. It showed him his office with his creations. 

Today, Tinkle is available, not only as a magazine, but has a website (www.tinkleonline.com) and its own app as well.

How did I come to know about Tinkle?

When I was 5 years old, I visited a book store with my Mother and elder sister. I was attracted by a few colourful comics and asked Mummy if I could have one. She laughed and said, "Do you know that I read Tinkle magazines as a child?" "What!", I exclaimed. "I didn't know Tinkle magazines were that old." Anyway, Mummy bought me one. As soon as we got home I started reading it. I loved it so much! It became my favourite series until I read Amelia Jane.

The Tinkle magazine has many characters who appear regularly. Let's meet a few of them.

Shikari Shambu : He is my favourite character. He is a lucky hunter who is actually very timid. However, because he is lucky and successful in catching the wild animals, everyone in the village thinks he is fearless.

Mopes and Purr : A pair of animal detectives (a cat and dog) whom I strongly suspect of being reincarnations of Sherlock Holmes and John Watson.

Kapish : A heavenly monkey, he is blue in colour. He saves the animals of the forest and outwits Dopaya, the hunter.

Kalia the Crow : A wise crow, he reminds me of Birbal.

Suppandi : A silly man, his stupidity results in slapstick comedy.

Tantri the Mantri : A wicked evil minister to the king, he is always plotting to assassinate the king and usurp his crown but always fails.

Nassruddin Hodja : A wise man, his enemies try to create problems for him but he outwits them all.

Ramu & Shamu (now discontinued) : Two naughty eight year old twins who make life miserable for one and all.

The Tinkle series has given me many hours of delightful reading pleasure. I hope it does the same for you, too.

Hope you enjoyed the post.