Chandamama

Chandamama was a classic Indian monthly magazine for children. It was famous for its wide collection of moral stories. It also published long-running mythological/magical stories such as Ramayana, Mahabharata etc, that ran for many months or sometimes even years. Originally, “Chandamama” was started in Telugu by B.Nagi Reddy and Chakrapani, who were noted Telugu Filmmakers. It was edited by Kodavatiganti Kutumba Rao, who was a very close friend of Chakrapani. Rao was a literary colossus in Telugu Literature who edited it for 28 years. Unfortunately, he died in August 1980, and then the work was led by someone else.

The magazine featured a wide variety of stories, including Indian folklore, mythological tales, and adventures, often with illustrations that captivated young readers. It had unique stories which were adapted from ancient Sanskrit works, fables, parables and even hearsays. The stories provided the right direction to the readers. It is also remembered for the never-ending story of King Vikramaditya and Vetaal (Vampire). It was adapted from Betal Pachisi. In every episode, Vikram used to tell a story to King Vikram and ask him a question that the king had to answer. The wise king answered the question every time, and thus, Vetaal forced him to do it again and again.

Key features of “Chandamama” included:

1. Moral Stories: Many stories in “Chandamama” had moral lessons, teaching values such as honesty, bravery, and kindness.
2. Illustrations: The magazine was famous for its beautiful and detailed illustrations, which brought the stories to life and engaged young readers.
3. Cultural Tales: It featured stories from Indian mythology and folklore, helping to preserve and promote Indian cultural heritage.
4. Multiple Languages: “Chandamama” was published in several Indian languages, including Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam, making it accessible to children across different regions.
5. Educational Content: Besides stories, the magazine also included articles on science, history, and general knowledge, contributing to the overall learning of its readers.

“Chandamama” enjoyed several decades of popularity, becoming a cherished part of many Indian childhoods. However, due to changing times and the advent of digital media, its print edition was eventually discontinued. Despite this, the legacy of “Chandamama” lives on in the memories of those who grew up reading its enchanting stories.

For your convenience, we have shared all the available digital versions of Chandamama from Year 1950 to 2006.

Chandamama | चंदामामा

Chandamama – 1950 to 2006