Mayavi
Encyclopedia
| Mayavi Mayavi |
|
 |
|
| The title of the Mayavi comics strip written in Malayalam. | |
| Created by: | Pradip Sathe and Mohan |
| Publisher: | Balarama (India) |
| Original publication period: | August 1984 – Still |
| Status: | Still running |
| Country of origin: | India |
| Language of origin: | Malayalam |
Mayavi is a Malayalam language
Malayalam language
Malayalam , is one of the four major Dravidian languages of southern India. It is one of the 22 scheduled languages of India with official language status in the state of Kerala and the union territories of Lakshadweep and Pondicherry. It is spoken by 35.9 million people...
comics strip appearing in the Indian children's weekly Balarama
Balarama Comics
Balarama is a children's weekly comics-digest in Malayalam language, published by the Malayala Manorama group, one of the most popular media stables in the country. Starting as a monthly, Balarama became a fortnightly periodical, before finally settling as a weekly.Balarama is the leader in terms...
owned by Malayala Manorama
Malayala Manorama
Malayala Manorama is a daily news paper, in Malayalam language, published in the state of Kerala, India. It was first published as a weekly on 14 March 1890, and currently has a readership of over 16 million . The Malayalam word "manorama" roughly translates to "entertainer"...
group. The comics is written by Mohan and illustrated at first by Pradip Sathe. Artist Mohandas took over the job of drawing the series after Balarama became a biweekly. The series was created by Pradip Sathe, a Mumbai-based artist, and was first published in August 1984 issue of Balarama comics. It's often said that the story Mayavi is much popular in Kerala in a way that no other comic story can overcome it.
Mayavi, the protagonist
Protagonist
A protagonist is the main character of a literary, theatrical, cinematic, or musical narrative, around whom the events of the narrative's plot revolve and with whom the audience is intended to most identify...
in the series, is a little devil, who helps to keep the forest safe from villains and dark wizards. Most of the stories revolve around how a dark wizard Kuttusan and his cadre of wizards aim at capturing Mayavi, but fail with drastic consequences. Mayavi takes place in a secluded forest in Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
. It is not exactly known when the story takes place. In the local language Malayalam Mayavi translates wizard. As the target audience is young, the story takes the liberty to draw a fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
world, in which wizards, demon
Demon
call - 1347 531 7769 for more infoIn Ancient Near Eastern religions as well as in the Abrahamic traditions, including ancient and medieval Christian demonology, a demon is considered an "unclean spirit" which may cause demonic possession, to be addressed with an act of exorcism...
s and other strange creatures exist. However, despite the simplicity and slapstick
Slapstick
Slapstick is a type of comedy involving exaggerated violence and activities which may exceed the boundaries of common sense.- Origins :The phrase comes from the batacchio or bataccio — called the 'slap stick' in English — a club-like object composed of two wooden slats used in Commedia dell'arte...
comedy, Mayavi became one of the most widely read children's comics in Malayalam language.
Mayavi
Apart from the power of invisibility, Mayavi is not known to possess any magical powers, but derives them from his red wand
Wand
A wand is a thin, straight, hand-held stick of wood, stone, ivory, or metal. Generally, in modern language, wands are ceremonial and/or have associations with magic but there have been other uses, all stemming from the original meaning as a synonym of rod and virge, both of which had a similar...
. This handicap has been one of the prominent vulnerabilities that are often exploited by the dark wizards who try to capture him. Once his wand is lost, his imp characteristics command him to be enslaved in a glass bottle by the one who holds his wand.
Raju and Radha
The children are often imprisoned by Kuttusan and Dakini in a bid to lure Mayavi and thereby trap him. Another common storyline is one in which the children overhear the planning or execution of some dastardly crime. In such situations the children summon Mayavi using the spell: "Om hreem kutichathaa" . Mayavi then appears and saves them and the forest from trouble.
Kuttusan
A dark wizard who lives in a hollow tree trunkTrunk (botany)
In botany, trunk refers to the main wooden axis of a tree that supports the branches and is supported by and directly attached to the roots. The trunk is covered by the bark, which is an important diagnostic feature in tree identification, and which often differs markedly from the bottom of the...
in the same forest, Kuttusan is one of the main villains in the comic. The storyline depicts capturing Mayavi as the sole purpose of Kuttusan's life. He often goes out of the way, befriending beasts and other dangerous dark
Evil
Evil is the violation of, or intent to violate, some moral code. Evil is usually seen as the dualistic opposite of good. Definitions of evil vary along with analysis of its root motive causes, however general actions commonly considered evil include: conscious and deliberate wrongdoing,...
creatures in order to satisfy his aim. However, his clumsiness in handling matters related to magic, eventually leads him into trouble. His stupidity and stubbornness is a frequent source of humor in the comic.
Dakini
Dakini, a witchWitchcraft
Witchcraft, in historical, anthropological, religious, and mythological contexts, is the alleged use of supernatural or magical powers. A witch is a practitioner of witchcraft...
, appeared in the series well before Kuttusan, is one of the close aides of Kuttusan. However, despite being a witch, she is often depicted as taking a rather repulsive approach to Kuttusan's wizardry. She is noted as much for her cowardice as for her noodle hair.
Well into her old age, she teams up with Kuttusan with the aim of capturing Mayavi. She and Kuttusan also never leave out a chance to catch Raju and Radha, who they know to be friends of Mayavi.
However, Dakini
Dakini
A dakini is a tantric deity described as a female embodiment of enlightened energy. In the Tibetan language, dakini is rendered khandroma which means 'she who traverses the sky' or 'she who moves in space'. Sometimes the term is translated poetically as 'sky dancer' or 'sky walker'. The dakini, in...
is a tantric deity described as a female embodiment of enlightened energy. In the Tibetan language, dakini is rendered khandroma which means 'she who traverses the sky' or 'she who moves in space'. Sometimes the term is translated poetically as 'sky dancer' or 'sky walker'.
Luttappi
Hot Stuff the Little Devil
Hot Stuff the Little Devil is a comic book character who first appeared in Hot Stuff #1, published by Harvey Comics in October 1957. The character didn't first appear as a back-up feature in another book or receive a trial run in Harvey Hits...
, who works as an aide of Kuttusan. One of the primary sources of humor in the comic, Luttappi is noted for his cheekiness and cowardice. His stupidity and over excitedness often lands everyone in trouble. Luttappi owns the kuntam, a magical spear that can be propelled in flight (akin to flying brooms used in witchcraft). Manned by Luttappi, the kuntam serves as a convenient mode of transport for Luttappi's comrades – Dakini and Kuttusan.
Luttappi stays with Kuttusan at his home in the tree trunk. Despite being a very resourceful aide, Luttappi isn't always at good terms with Kuttusan and Dakini, who, on their part, take little effort in hiding their dislike. Luttappi is often portrayed as doing all the housework for Kuttusan. He is also often shown as grumbling and cursing under his breath.
Vikraman and Muttu
Vikraman and Muttu's primary aim is to procure as much wealth and power as they can. In most Mayavi comics featuring them, they are seen conspiring on a break in to the bank or jeweler at the local town. However, all their plans are foiled by Mayavi, who is usually alerted by Raju and Radha.
Lottulodukku and Gulgulumalu
Lottulodukku and Gulgulumalu are two evil scientists who invent new gadgets and ideas to destroy the world. They are afraid of Vikraman and Muttu, who steal their inventions and use these tools for their purposes such as robbing the bank and breaking into people's houses. But Vikraman and Muttu always get into trouble using those gadgets. Their enemies are Raju and Radha, and they are always looking a chance to kill them.Puttalu
Uncle of Luttappi, unlike Luttappi, he is dark gray in color. He is much bigger in size than Luttappi. Kuttusan and Dakini go to Puttalu's den to steal many charms and portions to trap Mayavi, but they get trapped in Puttalu's trap instead.Everybody is afraid of Puttalu, but Puttalu does not have very significant role in Mayavi. He enjoys sleeping and don't want Luttapi to wander with Kuttusan and Dakini.
Mayavi VCD
Mayavi-VCD is a 3D animated version of the comic strip published in BalaramaBalarama Comics
Balarama is a children's weekly comics-digest in Malayalam language, published by the Malayala Manorama group, one of the most popular media stables in the country. Starting as a monthly, Balarama became a fortnightly periodical, before finally settling as a weekly.Balarama is the leader in terms...
. It was released on August 23, 2010 by Manorama Music
Manorama Music
Manorama Music, is a music company of India. It owns probabily the largest music label of Kerala. The label has produced and distributed film soundtracks, poems, cartoon series, music albums etc. The company is owned by M.M. Publications Ltd, which also owns the Malayala Manorama....
, a music production company owned by Malayala Manorama Group
Malayala Manorama
Malayala Manorama is a daily news paper, in Malayalam language, published in the state of Kerala, India. It was first published as a weekly on 14 March 1890, and currently has a readership of over 16 million . The Malayalam word "manorama" roughly translates to "entertainer"...
. Story and concept for this version was also by Mohan, who is the creator the comics, which is being published in Balaralam since many decades. The 3D version was developed by Hibiscus Digital Media Pvt. Ltd, Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram , formerly known as Trivandrum, is the capital of the Indian state of Kerala and the headquarters of the Thiruvananthapuram District. It is located on the west coast of India near the extreme south of the mainland...
. The music for the title song, Nammude Veeran Mayavi was done by Mohan Sithara
Mohan Sithara
Mohan Sithara, is a leading malayalam film music composer in Kerala. He is very much talented in making super hit songs. He won Kerala State Award for applying music for the songs in Priyanandan's "Sufi Paranja Kadha". Since 1986 he is an active musician in malayalam film industry...
, while the score and other songs were composed by Jaison. J. Nair. The lyrics were written by Sippy Pallippuram.
The CD featured 7 stories, some of which are already familiar to the readers through the comic series in Balarama, and two songs.
- Title Song -
Crew
- Story, Concept: Mohan
- Director: Madhu. K. S.
- Screenplay: K. S. Manu
- Producer: M. M. PublicationsMalayala ManoramaMalayala Manorama is a daily news paper, in Malayalam language, published in the state of Kerala, India. It was first published as a weekly on 14 March 1890, and currently has a readership of over 16 million . The Malayalam word "manorama" roughly translates to "entertainer"...
- Music: Mohan SitharaMohan SitharaMohan Sithara, is a leading malayalam film music composer in Kerala. He is very much talented in making super hit songs. He won Kerala State Award for applying music for the songs in Priyanandan's "Sufi Paranja Kadha". Since 1986 he is an active musician in malayalam film industry...
(Title Song), Jaison. J. Nair(Songs), Johnny Rafael (Signature) - Animation direction&Storyboard: Rajesh Amal, Jacob Oommen
- Voice actors: Nandagopan. G (Mayavi), Shyam Mohan. M. S. (Raju), Riya Roy (Radha), Joby. A. S. (Luttappi), Sharadha Teacher (Dakini), Cheruvaykkal Ganesh (Kuttoosan), Sabu (Vikraman), Subhash (Muthu), Mankoos (Kochupreman)
- Singers: Thulasi Yatheendra, Krishna (Title Song), Athira Prasad, Jinu, Greeshma, Athira murali, Anandu, Manu, Alex (Songs), Nanda Harikumar, Gopika. S. Nair, Gauri. S. Nair, Sidharth. S. Nair, Ragendhu. P. Bimal (Signature)
In popular culture
- The Balarama Village at Veega Land amusement park, is modelled using characters from Mayavi.