Balarama (magazine)

Balarama (transl. Joy of Kids) is an Indian weekly comic magazine published by M. M. Publications, of Malayala Manorama Group from Kottayam, Kerala in Malayalam language (digest-sized, on every Friday). It is one of the most widely read children's magazines in India (Indian Readership Survey 2019, Quarter IV). Balarama celebrated its 50th year of publication in the year 2022.

Starting as a monthly for teenage youngsters in March 1972, the Balarama became a fortnightly periodical in November 1984, before finally settling as a weekly in 1999. Along with the comics (in-house and syndicated), the content includes fables and fairy tales, rhymes, (translated) literary classics, and various puzzles. Balarama is known for its decades-long partnership with Amar Chitra Katha/India Book House (thus publishing Shikari Shambu, Kapish, Kalia the Crow, Suppandi and Tantri the Mantri and the Malayalam Amar Chitra Katha). Major American comics syndicated by the magazine include Disney Comics and various super-heroes (Spider-Man, Batman, the Phantom and Mandrake the Magician). The magazine was famously edited by N. M. Mohan from 1983 to 2012.

Malayala Manorama also publishes Balarama Amar Chitra Katha, Kalikkudukka, Balarama Digest (all in Malayalam), MagicPot, Manorama Tell Me Why, National Geographic Kids (English) and Akkad Bakkad (Hindi).