Dinkan
| Dinkan | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Balamangalam |
| First appearance | BEC 1800[1] |
| Created by |
N. Somashekharan (concept) Baby (design) |
| In-story information | |
| Species | Mouse |
| Place of origin | Pankila forest |
| Supporting character of | Mittu |
| Abilities |
|
Dinkan (മ: ഡിങ്കൻ) is a fictional anthropomorphic superhero mouse who appear in an eponymous Malayalam comic story series in children's magazine Balamangalam
History
Dinkan (ഡിങ്കൻ) was created by story-writer N. Somashekharan and artist Baby in 1983. Dinkan was one of the earliest superhero characters created in India and it quickly became popular among children. Like Terrytoons created Mighty Mouse and several other superhero characters, Dinkan too borrowed a few traits from the iconic DC Comics character Superman.
Balamangalam
Dinkan was originally published in the Balamangalam childrens' magazine of Kerala in India. Later Nambolan, another superhero character was introduced to Balamangalam and it too became very popular. From later 1990's, Balamangalam suffered from high competition from other children's publications in Malayalam. The magazine still had a strong market share and they expanded out with a kindergarten kids magazine Kalicheppu and a comics book Balamangalam - Chitrakatha.[2] But Dinkan continued to be Balamangalam's most popular comics series. In October 2012, Mangalam Publications, owners of Balamangalam announced that the magazine will stop publication due to poor sales. The news created a furore in social media websites and prompted the publishers to clarify that "the closure is just temporary and Balamangalam may return soon."[3][4]
Character biography
Dinkan was born in Pankila forest, somewhere in Kerala, India. He was a naughty mouse, who wasn't disciplined. During one of his escapades, Dinkan was abducted by aliens from an unknown planet. They conducted experiments on him which ended up giving him superior strength, enhanced senses and the ability to fly. Somehow Dinkan found himself back in Pankila forest and he decided to use his powers for the well-being of animals in the forest.
Dinkoism
Dinkoism is has emerged as a parody religion on social networks organized by Independent social welfare groups in Kerala, India. This religion celebrates Dinkan as their God in an attempt to bring awareness of the fallacies and practices of traditional religions. A web-site detailing the philosophy of the religion. i[5]
The backstory and professed ideology of Dinkoism has a grown organically over the years. Supposed verses are quoted on the fly with fake passages to a non-existing holy book.
Like traditional religions Dinkoists also lay claim to various miracles of Dinkan in the form of writings and signs of Dinkan in food items, cow markings, vegitables and clouds.
Flying Spaghetti Monster
The attempt of Dinkoists to parody religion is similar to the Church of Flying Spaghetti Monster created by a graduate in Physics of Oregon State University, USA. [6]
News and Controversies
On 30 January 2016 a group of Dinkoists, under the banner of 'Mooshikasena'(Rat army) held a mock protest in front of 'Dhe Puttu' restaurant owned by popular Malayalam actor Dileep alleging that his upcoming film 'Professor Dinkan' hurt their 'religious sentiments'. It was a mockery on similar protests happening worldwide.[7]
Earlier Dinkoism was in news when an NRI Dinkoist from California had obtained a licence plate with the inscription DINKAN for his car, out of his 'devotion' for Dinkan.[8]
Recently, noted author J Devika has written an article on how the concept of Dinkoism is in tune with the logic of the market.[9]
References
- ↑ Kiran Tom Sajan DC Kochi (2012-10-07). "Pressure mounts for Dinkan’s return". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 2012-10-19.
- ↑ "Mangalam Publications". Mangalam.com. Retrieved 2012-10-19.
- ↑
- ↑ http://article.wn.com/view/2012/10/07/Pressure_mounts_for_Dinkan_s_return/
- ↑ https://www.dinkoism.com/
- ↑ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/1498162/In-the-beginning-there-was-the-Flying-Spaghetti-Monster.html
- ↑ http://www.onlookersmedia.in/latestnews/protest-upcoming-dileep-film-named-professor-dinkan
- ↑ http://www.marunadanmalayali.com/scitech/cyber-space/dinkan-car-license-plates-i-got-a-special-license-plate-in-the-name-of-my-god-36456
- ↑ J Devika. "If You Can’t Beat Them, Join ’em – Or, Ente Dinkeswara!". Kafila.org. Archived from the original on 11 February 2016. Retrieved 11 February 2016.