| I bet all the Comicologists are really spending some quality time with the near and dear ones, in this holiday season. In keeping with the same spirit, this is a New Year Surprise Post for all Comicologists. So far the pattern adopted at Comicology has been to brief and review the new titles or issues released in India, with a detailed link-up to the previous titles related to the reviewed issue. That has been the case so far with Lion Comics, Muthu Comics, CineBook, Euro Books, Gotham Comics, etc. reviewed so far, and will continue to find their presence in Comicology. Just to make things interesting, and to break-away from any trend-set, this post will start my long planned “Flash Back Events”, where we will cover some famous Comics initiatives and series released in the past. | |
 Siruvar Malar (09-Jan-87) | First-up the order will be one of my most cherished collection from childhood, Siruvar Malar (சிறுவர் மலர்), a Children's magazine in Tamil (தமிழ்), which started it run in 1986 as a Free Weekly Supplement to the Tamil Newspaper (தமிழ் நாளிதழ்), Dina-Malar (தின மலர்) on Fridays (My estimates say that the first edition was launched in Oct’86. Unfortunately, I don’t possess this 1st edition. Any Comicologists, having the same could contact me through email to update this post with 1st edition cover.) Dinamalar that time was considered as the 2nd most widely read Newspaper in the Southern Indian State, Tamil Nadu. They earlier had huge success with an another Weekly, titled Vaaramalar (வார மலர்) released every Sunday, which was also provided for free. Eventhough there were countless newspapers which tried to imitate this Free Weekly Supplements on different days, no one was able to emulate the success owned by Dinamalar. |
| So there was no surprises when they launched their second successful Weekly supplement in form on Siruvar Malar, this time to addressed to the younger audience, and children's. This was the same time I grew up reading and dissecting anything with pictures in a magazine, (obviously inspired by the erstwhile Rani Comics introduced by my brother), and it was a not a surprise that I immediately fell in love with Siruvar Malar from the very first time. There was a lot of carefully planned USP (Unique Selling Proposition) in Siruvar Malar to attract young minds, even though it was a free edition. It had everything which a kid could dream of:
| Dinamalar claiming #2 Position  Advt in Siruvar Malar (02-Feb-90) |
The covers of Siruvar Malar initially carried foreign pictures, which was quickly changed to feature pictures from kids in Tamil Nadu, to make them touch-base with local crowd. I still remember those days when every family wanted to send their kids picture for a possible cover feature in the future issues.
They had tied up with the famous Northern Indian publisher, Uncle Pai inspired, Amar Chitra Katha (ACK) from Mumbai (formerly Bombay), to bring and introduce Tamil translated version of their wonderfully drawn and scripted storylines from Mythology, History, and Humour genre. In fact, my first experiment with ACK was through this medium.
 Siruvar Malar (03-Apr-87) |  Siruvar Malar (01-May-87) |  Siruvar Malar (10-Mar-89) |
But there was also an another star attraction to Siruvar Malar in terms of Comic Strip, with their International licensing to bring Tamil translated version of some famous comic series. Siruvar Malar was originally launched as a 16 page supplement. But as per the readers demand it was quickly increased to double size, and that marked a new beginning, which let them to feature some international comic strips in their weekly. Look at the announcement from the Editor on the same, and a preview of a list of Comic Series which were started with the double-sized issue debut.
| Since, the erstwhile Indrajal Comics released by Times of India stable, was more famous and larger in size with their American Daily-Strips based issues featuring Phantom, Flash Gordon, Mandrake, etc., the team of Siruvar Malar kept their reliance on them to a little extent by featuring a single page occasionally for Mandrake and Flash Gordon in their Weekly. Instead they set their eyes on the some of the untouched Comic Series from the Golden Generation of British Comics. Comicologists would take a note that famous Tamil language based Muthu Comics from Prakash Publishers thrived on this market for a long-time introducing to us some famous characters like Steel Claw, The Spider, and Archie etc. But, their concentration was on a “Super Hero” devoted storyline, by means of which they could engage their publication by printing their series of adventures for a long time. |  Editor’s Note on the Double Size launch Siruvar Malar (01-May-87) |
But, Golden Era of British Comics, was not only made up of Super Heroes.
There were some more one-off series, which were rich of script, artwork, with fair mix of creepy plots. Comicologists would again remember that Thigil Comics, an sister publication of Lion/Muthu Comics publishers, tried publishing these series, but couldn’t do that successfully, as the brand was withdrawn with a short run.
 Siruvar Malar (02-Feb-90) |  Siruvar Malar (27-Jun-08) |  Siruvar Malar (26-Dec-08) |
Siruvar Malar, was the first to touch-base on this one-off British Comic series by bringing them over to the Tamil Comics fans. And these series will form the base for our initial reviews to be featured as part of the “Flash-Back Post Series” about Siruvar Malar at Comicology.
As a kid, I remember those days when I was eagerly anticipating every Friday, in order to read the Siruvar Malar, first-up. There was a basic understanding among family members, that being the youngest, I would be the first to read the Siruvar Malar on Friday, while the eldest will have the rights for that honour with Vaara Malar on Sundays. Those were days of utmost fun and lasting memories, and here is a chance for me to re-experience them.
First-up the order, in our series of Siruvar Malar review, is one of the most famous creepy and a lengthy series ever featured in Siruvar Malar, or in fact, any other Tamil comics magazines; Uyirai Thedi (உயிரை தேடி). Ever since I read about a new BBC series starting in UK, called Survivor, at the BackfromDepth website, the original of which was an inspiration to this comic series, I had been thinking long and hard to collect the old Siruvar Malar archives to blog about the same. Now, with the arrangements ready, we could talk about the series in detail with our coming FlashBack posts. Till then here is a preview of what’s in store for you. I am confident this is going to take you back in your memory lane, if you had actually read this series in Siruvar Malar back in those days.
As an end note, Dinamalar still continues to hold onto his position among the growing competition in the Newspaper media, greatly strengthened by their subscription base. They also have been continuously releasing their Siruvar Malar (a scene evident with the 2009 edition featured above), supplement along with Vaara Malar. But the qualities which made the Original Siruvar Malar stand out from the rest, is now nowhere to be seen, as it is mostly occupied with local stories and artworks. No wonder, they remain underground.
But, it’s still a good gift for the children's. Especially for those who miss out on these editions for whatever reasons, can browse through dinamalar.com, for downloading e-Books of past Siruvar Malar issues. Dinamalar team has to be commended for making it available for free.
I hope you enjoyed reading this post, as much as I enjoyed writing it. If so, why not share your views, reviews about this post using the Comment section below? I would be eager to read them. Until the next post, enjoy your holiday season.
UPDATE (03/09): The first part of Survival aka Uyirai Thedi is current available at Comicology, on this page.
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19 ComiComments:
I'm the first
I still remember the first issue in which they featured Murugan and Pillaiyar stories. Also still remember how excited I use to be every week to read Uyirai Thedi. The horror man displayed in the above picture was described as a good man in the series if I remember correctly. The only thing which I did not like about Siruvar Malar was the paper quality.
Excellent Post…Please continue…
ரஃபிக்,
தினமலர் சிறுவர் மலரை படிக்கும் சந்தர்ப்பம் எனக்கு கிட்டவில்லை, எனினும் உங்கள் பதிவு அது ஒர் பொக்கிஷம் என்பதனை எடுத்துக்காட்டுகிறது.
வெள்ளிக்கிழமைகளில் மலரை படிக்கும் சிறுவனாக மாறி பதிவையிட்டுள்ளீர்கள், அதிலும் உயிரைத்தேடி தொடரின் சித்திரங்கள் சிறுவர் மனதில் எவ்வகையான தாக்கங்களையும், எதிர்பார்ப்புக்களையும் உருவாக்கியிருக்கும் என்பதனை என்னால் உணர முடிகிறது.
ஒர் நாட்டில் சிறுவர் இலக்கியம் என்பது மிக முக்கியமான ஒன்று. அவர்களின் கனவுலகின் அனுமதிச்சீட்டு அதுதான். தமிழில் அது இப்போது சற்று நலிந்து தான் காணப்படுகிறது. ஆங்கில மொழி படைப்புக்கள் வழமை போலவே இடத்தை நிரப்பும்.
சிறுவனாக இருந்த போது நூலகங்களின் சிறுவர் பகுதியில் இருந்த ஆங்கில படைப்புக்களின் எண்ணிக்கை, தமிழ் படைப்புக்களை விட பல மடங்கு அதிகம்.
என் நாட்டை விட்டு பிரிந்த பின் கிரிக்கெட் ஆர்வம் படிப்படியாக குறைந்து இப்போது இல்லையென்று கூறுமளவிற்கு ஆகிவிட்டது.டென்னிஸை மட்டும் ஆர்வமாக பார்ப்பேன், அதிலும்....
ஆஸ்திரேலிய அணிக்கு கூறவிரும்புவது, யானைக்கு ஒர் காலமென்றால், பூனைக்கு ஒர் காலம்.
மேலும் நீங்கள் அனுப்பிய போட்டோக்கள் நவஜோ மத குருவிற்கு கிடைத்தது, இக்கருத்துக்களை ஹாஸ்பிடலில் இருந்து தான் எழுதுகிறேன் என்பதனை கூறத்தேவையில்லை. நீங்களாவது பரவாயில்லை ஆனால் புத்தாண்டு பரிசாக மத குருவிற்கு ஒரு டஜன் பூரிக்கட்டைகளை அனுப்பிய நண்பர் யாரென்பது தான் மர்மமாக உள்ளது.
சிறு வயதை மீளப்பார்க்கும் இன்பமே தனி, பலரின் மனதில் இவ்வகையான பதிவுகள் மகிழ்ச்சியை ஏற்படுத்தும் என்பதில் ஐயமில்லை.
உற்சாகத்துடன் தொடருங்கள்.
Hi Rafiq,
Again a nice post on children's magazines. In my view presently Dhinamani - siruvarmani is coming with good items for children.
Present siruvarmalar's not that much quality as compare to its old issues. Dhinathanthi - Thangamalar is a always average one.
Now all the above supplimentries are not giving importance to comics strips when compare to their old issues.
In present market apart from Dalily's supplementary I can see about 4 children magazines. Ambulimama, Gokulam, Sampak, Sutti (the only Tamil exclusive)
None of them are spending much pages for comics. If you see early issues of Gokulam, 16 pages comics story was available in each issue. Also if you see English daily's supplementary there are more foreign comics strips are available. Let us hope the scope will improve for Tamil comics in children magazines.
Thanks for this.
I forgot the name of the series and was searching for 'pinky johny siruvarmalar' on google for a long time..I am a first time reader.But,will be around here from now on..mainly in anticipation of uyirai thedi :)
Maha Rasigan: Thanks for being the first to record your comment. I too remember that Murugan and Pillaiyaar were the two stories which occupied the first few issues. They were wonderful to say least. Uyirai Thedi was one of my favorite series, so no wonder my feeling is shared by all. But, I guess the paper quality was really good, since Dina-Malar always uses a better paper quality than any other tamil newspapers in the same period, namely Dina Thanthi, Dina Mani.
Shankar: சிறுவர் இலக்கியங்கள் ஒரு தலைமுறையின் அடையாளம் என்பதினா ஓங்கல் கருத்துக்களை நானும் ஆமோதிக்கிறேன். தற்போது இருக்கும் சிறுவர் மற்றும் மழலையர் வட்டம் நமக்கு கிடைத்த இந்த பொக்கிசங்களை அனுபவிக்காமல் கணினி மற்றும் தொலைக்காட்சிகளில் மூழ்கி கிடப்பது ஒரு வருந்தத்தக்க விஷயம். என் பதிவின் மூலம் பழைய அன்பர்கள், தங்கள் வீட்டு சிறுவர்களுக்கு மீண்டும் காமிக்ஸ் படிக்கும் ஆர்வத்தை தூண்டி விட்டால் நான் பெரிமிதம் கொள்வேன். தொடரை நீங்கள் படிக்க வில்லை என்றாலும், என் பதிவுகள் மூலம் அதை உங்களுக்கு அறிமுக படுத்த முடியும் என்று நினைக்கிறேன்.
உண்மை தான் கிரிக்கெட் ஆர்வம் ஆசியாவில் வசிக்கும் நண்பர்களை மட்டுமே அதிகம் லயிக்க வைக்கிறது. அதற்க்கு காரணம் இங்கே தொலைக்காட்சிகளில் அது பிரத்யேகமாக வெளியிட படுவதாகவே இருக்கும். எனக்கு டென்னிஸ் மிகவும் பிடிக்கும். ஆஸ்திரேலியன் ஒபேனை தற்போது கண்டு கழித்து வருகிறேன். காமிக்ஸ் வலைப்பதிவில் இனியும் என்னுடைய மாற்ற ஆர்வங்களை கழக கூடாது என்று நான் இப்போது அவற்றுக்கு வடிகாலாக ஒரு தனி வாழ்கை குறிப்பு வலைபூ தொடங்கி விட்டேன்.... அதனால், என்னுடைய மொக்கையை நீங்கள் இங்கு இனிமேல் பார்க்க தேவை இருக்காது :)
ஆஸ்பத்திரியில் இருந்து வீடு திரும்பி விடீர்கள் என்று நம்புகிறேன். புத்தாண்டு பரிசாக பூரி கட்டை அனுப்பி வைத்து நான் இல்லை என்றாலும், யாரென்று கண்டிப்பாக அனுமானிக்க முடிகிறது :).
Siv: Thanks for your comment after a long time. Siruvar Malar has certainly lost the flair which it used to have in the late 80's and early 90's. Never read Siruvar Mani, but had read Dina Thanthi's version which was a cheapt imitation. Clearly the stand out factor of Siruvar Malar was its international comics from others. Hopefully, the olden days wil return sooner.
Anony: Thanks for the comment and good to know that I found another one who shared my childhood ambition. Please visit later, to start reading about or cherished Uyirai Thedi series. I would be happy if you can share your name, when the next time you visit, so as to recollect your earlier visits.
I also decided to maintain the comics concept our blog, so have decided to move my Personal account on other issues (which I started in Meanwhile on this section) to a new personal blog @ Software Developer's Life Cycle. So, that will save you off my unrelated rants :). But, the Meanwhile section will stay afloat, and will cover only comics rleated other posts, in future.
I will update this comment section, when a new post on Uyirai Thedi is posted, so that the followers of this thread will be able to receive an update.
The long awaited Survival aka Uyirai Thedi's 1st part with 11 episodes are now online at Comicology. Read and Enjoy, and do not forget to leave your comments in the new post.
Uyirai Thedi:-
A story of Pinky who searches for survivors of Plague got a friend "Kora manidhan" !!
Then slowly one by one, he found so many friends..but again looses one by one.
They also found a robo from ET.
I had been searchin this for long times in net. Thanks.
@ Anony: Thanks for your visit and comment. I am happy that my post helped to rekindle those old golden memories associated with one of the legendary comic series to have appeared in Tamil, ever.
I hope you have already read the newer post on this topic over @ http://www.comicology.in/2009/03/survival-siruvar-malar-1988-i.html, which contains the first part of Surival aka Uyirai Thedi series.
The second part will also be posted shortly. Hopefully, you would leave your name next time around for me to recognize your return visits.
Happy Reading !!
Maha Rasigan: Thanks for being the first to record your comment. I too remember that Murugan and Pillaiyaar were the two stories which occupied the first few issues. They were wonderful to say least. Uyirai Thedi was one of my favorite series, so no wonder my feeling is shared by all. But, I guess the paper quality was really good, since Dina-Malar always uses a better paper quality than any other tamil newspapers in the same period, namely Dina Thanthi, Dina Mani.
Shankar: சிறுவர் இலக்கியங்கள் ஒரு தலைமுறையின் அடையாளம் என்பதினா ஓங்கல் கருத்துக்களை நானும் ஆமோதிக்கிறேன். தற்போது இருக்கும் சிறுவர் மற்றும் மழலையர் வட்டம் நமக்கு கிடைத்த இந்த பொக்கிசங்களை அனுபவிக்காமல் கணினி மற்றும் தொலைக்காட்சிகளில் மூழ்கி கிடப்பது ஒரு வருந்தத்தக்க விஷயம். என் பதிவின் மூலம் பழைய அன்பர்கள், தங்கள் வீட்டு சிறுவர்களுக்கு மீண்டும் காமிக்ஸ் படிக்கும் ஆர்வத்தை தூண்டி விட்டால் நான் பெரிமிதம் கொள்வேன். தொடரை நீங்கள் படிக்க வில்லை என்றாலும், என் பதிவுகள் மூலம் அதை உங்களுக்கு அறிமுக படுத்த முடியும் என்று நினைக்கிறேன்.
உண்மை தான் கிரிக்கெட் ஆர்வம் ஆசியாவில் வசிக்கும் நண்பர்களை மட்டுமே அதிகம் லயிக்க வைக்கிறது. அதற்க்கு காரணம் இங்கே தொலைக்காட்சிகளில் அது பிரத்யேகமாக வெளியிட படுவதாகவே இருக்கும். எனக்கு டென்னிஸ் மிகவும் பிடிக்கும். ஆஸ்திரேலியன் ஒபேனை தற்போது கண்டு கழித்து வருகிறேன். காமிக்ஸ் வலைப்பதிவில் இனியும் என்னுடைய மாற்ற ஆர்வங்களை கழக கூடாது என்று நான் இப்போது அவற்றுக்கு வடிகாலாக ஒரு தனி வாழ்கை குறிப்பு வலைபூ தொடங்கி விட்டேன்.... அதனால், என்னுடைய மொக்கையை நீங்கள் இங்கு இனிமேல் பார்க்க தேவை இருக்காது :)
ஆஸ்பத்திரியில் இருந்து வீடு திரும்பி விடீர்கள் என்று நம்புகிறேன். புத்தாண்டு பரிசாக பூரி கட்டை அனுப்பி வைத்து நான் இல்லை என்றாலும், யாரென்று கண்டிப்பாக அனுமானிக்க முடிகிறது :).
Siv: Thanks for your comment after a long time. Siruvar Malar has certainly lost the flair which it used to have in the late 80's and early 90's. Never read Siruvar Mani, but had read Dina Thanthi's version which was a cheapt imitation. Clearly the stand out factor of Siruvar Malar was its international comics from others. Hopefully, the olden days wil return sooner.
Anony: Thanks for the comment and good to know that I found another one who shared my childhood ambition. Please visit later, to start reading about or cherished Uyirai Thedi series. I would be happy if you can share your name, when the next time you visit, so as to recollect your earlier visits.
I also decided to maintain the comics concept our blog, so have decided to move my Personal account on other issues (which I started in Meanwhile on this section) to a new personal blog @ Software Developer's Life Cycle. So, that will save you off my unrelated rants :). But, the Meanwhile section will stay afloat, and will cover only comics rleated other posts, in future.
I will update this comment section, when a new post on Uyirai Thedi is posted, so that the followers of this thread will be able to receive an update.
I'm the first
I still remember the first issue in which they featured Murugan and Pillaiyar stories. Also still remember how excited I use to be every week to read Uyirai Thedi. The horror man displayed in the above picture was described as a good man in the series if I remember correctly. The only thing which I did not like about Siruvar Malar was the paper quality.
Excellent Post…Please continue…
I need to put my son photo in this siruvar malar. what is the procedure for that sir....
how can i send my child photo to siruvar malar through online ......
Hi, I often think of my school days and then it goes to my native and the happiest day on every week is -Friday. Just because of 2 reasons. Next two days will be the holiday and the second reason, I m going to read the Sirruvar Malar. Especially the story Uirayi Thedi. The characters Bingy and Jhony are still in my memory ! The narration of the story starts like this "Intha Ulagai thaki azhitha kodiya noiyillurunthu thapi pizhatha erandu nanmbarkal....." I still remember. The hero Bingy struggles a lot to find a normal human being, but on this way he see many "Gora Manitharkal" and one of the Gora manithan was seem to be good.. and later he found Jhony near a motor shed..Oh.. Can I get the complete scanned copy of it ? I miss my child hood day more just because of such books ;)
I need to put my son photo in this siruvar malar. what is the procedure for that sir....
I need to put my son photo in this siruvar malar. what is the procedure for that sir....
VERY WORST NEWS PAPER IN WORLD
I didnt know the name of a comics..please tell me if anyone knows...there was a hero..he looks like tarzan..he saves the heroine from some tribal villains..They look like monkeys or beasts..The hero wore deer's skin for dress..i think name of the comics is "VIJAY" but not sure..please if anyone knows that comic name please tell me...my mail id is warriormnk@gmail.com..please
I used to wait every friday excitedly for the Siruvar malar issue, during my school days. The Soriji comic strip and the Detective Dino stories were so good. Thik Thik Kutraalam remains my favourite series. But later when I went to college, the quality had dropped so bad that I have totally lost interest in the current Siruvar malar issues. Hope someone revives the Original, Classical, Siruvar malar.
how can i send my child photo to siruvar malar through online
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