Tinkle: A Tinkling Light For Young Minds

In an age of limitless social media usage and engagement, comics and magazines continue to garner significant attention and a dedicated fan base. Tinkle is one such comic that has entertained both children and adults with its quirky, wise, cunning, and relatable characters.

Colourful characters of Tinke,Image source: indiatimes

Back in the 1980s and 1990s, when there were no social media for entertainment and connection when YouTube's one-click resulting in a plethora of options was unfathomable, comic books and their visually stimulating illustrations captivated every Indian child. The bright and whimsical characters of a comic book not only painted vivid colours on childhood memories, but their storytelling sessions also provided entertainment opportunities and instilled inquisitiveness in young minds.

From travelling to having fun in the afternoons, these flamboyant magazines became an inseparable part of the majority of Indian children's lives. Tinkle is one such magazine, and it has become synonymous with childhood memories and nostalgia. The magazine has managed to capture the imagination of every curious mind, whether it's the innocent and goofy character of Suppandi, the wit of Kalia the crow, the evil but clever plans of Tantri the Mantri, or the Shikari Shambhu.

Tinkle's inception dates back to the 1960s, and it has an interesting backstory. Once upon a time, Anant Pai, co-founder of the magazine, also known as Uncle Pai to Tinkle readers, was watching a quiz show on Doordarshan and was astounded to discover that, while the participants were well-versed in Greek mythology trivia, they knew very little about Indian mythology and its characters, such as Ram, Sita, and so on. That was the inspiration for Amar Chitra Katha, a comical series featuring stories about various characters from Indian mythology, folklore, and history. The Indian Book House published Amar Chitra Katha. Later in the 1980s, Tinkle was introduced as one of Uncle Pai's comics under the larger title Amar Chitra Katha. Tinkle, a fortnightly magazine, contains a variety of stories, comics, puzzles, quizzes, and other interesting sections that appeal to both school children and adults.

Since its inception, Tinkle’s quirky characters, playful illustrations, and general trivia have entertained millions of children. Even today, any Tinkle fan will recall Suppandi's big-nosed, square-shaped face. He is portrayed as a gullible young man who will jump at any job opportunity only to fail miserably. His folly never ceases to amaze and amuse the readers. Similarly, Shikari Shambhu, dressed in Khaki, is a hunter who always has luck on his side. Shambhu, who is not a brave man, often finds himself on adventures without even trying. While the crow named Kalia is quite clever and manages to save small jungle creatures from Chamataka, the cunning fox, Tantri, Mantri, or the king's minister, frequently gets into trouble while attempting to win the king's throne.

Tinkle has a huge fan base. According to its track record, it distributes three lakhs per issue. India's late Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, was a devoted Tinkle fan.

The magazine's issues are now published in response to current demands and contexts. Suppandi, for example, is now a photographer in many stories, and Shikari Shambhu has gone on to become a wildlife conservationist, among other things. Furthermore, when Rajani Thindiath took over as the magazine's editor-in-chief, new characters and series were introduced, such as "Super Weirdos," a superhero with unusual abilities, "WingStar," a young crime fighter from Mizoram, and "YogYodhas," warriors who use yoga poses to fight evil. Isn't it fascinating?

"At the time, there were some things I wanted to do, like making the new characters more regular and making the magazine more balanced, and to that end, strong female characters started making an entry into the main narratives," Rajani Thindiath recalls in an interview.

Tinkle, with its motto "where learning meets fun," has become a favourite of children and young people alike. The magazine, which was once a faithful companion on long train rides, continues to thrive among comic fans due to its diversity, knowledgeable insights, and relatable and funky characters.