150.129.181.137: /* As Little Shambu */

2021-11-15T07:49:44Z

As Little Shambu

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{{about|the comic character|the 2018 film|Shikkari Shambhu}}
{{Infobox comics character 
| image = File:Shikari Shambhu.jpg
| caption = Cover Page for Shikari Shambu: Escapades (No. 5)
| character_name = Shikari Shambu
| real_name =
|publisher= [[ACK Media]]
| debut = [[Tinkle]], 1983
| creators = Vasant B. Halbe<br>Luis Fernandes
| alliances =
| homeworld = India
| aliases =
| powers = Luck and rifle
| cat =
| subcat =
| hero =
| sortkey =
}}
'''Shikari Shambu''' (''Hunter Shambu'') is an Indian comic character created by Vasant Halbe and Luis Fernandes <ref name="mid-day 2014">{{cite web | title=Remember these Indian comic book heroes? | website=mid-day | date=2014-08-25 | url=http://www.mid-day.com/articles/remember-these-indian-comic-book-heroes/15553161 | access-date=2016-03-04}}</ref> for the ''[[Tinkle]]'' magazine in 1983. Shikari Shambu is one of the characters of [[Tinkle]].<ref name="http://www.hindustantimes.com/ 2015">{{cite web | title=Now watch Suppandi and Shikari Shambu on YouTube | website=hindustantimes.com | date=2015-10-07 | url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/books/now-watch-suppandi-and-shikari-shambu-on-youtube/story-NfcmcempdRZm62MriQVp3N.html | access-date=2016-02-15}}</ref>

Shambu is a cowardly and lazy [[Hunter#Shikar .28India.29|shikari]] (hunter) whom the rest of the world perceives as courageous.<ref>{{Cite web|title = 5 Unforgettable Indian Comic Heroes of All-Time|url = http://www.india.com/arts-and-culture/5-unforgettable-indian-comic-heroes-of-all-time-482924/|website = India.com|date = 2015-10-16|access-date = 2016-02-15}}</ref> He always tries to run away from dangerous animals, but due to some stroke of luck always ends up as a hero. He lives with his wife Shanti. In ''The Legend of Shikari Shambu'' (Tinkle Magazine No.573), it was revealed that Shambu, before being called "Shikari" Shambu, fell on a [[tiger]] and knocked him out. It was after this incident that he got the name "Shikari" Shambu.

He is shown wearing a large [[pith helmet]] that completely covers his face and green shorts and a shirt. He carries a large rifle which he usually never uses, even in comics he does use his rifle he never killed or shot an animal. {{citation needed|date=July 2020}}

== Origins ==

By 1988, ''Tinkle'' was already on its way becoming the most popular children’s magazine in India. Their biggest rival that time was another children magazine named ''[[Target (magazine)|Target]]'', run by [[Living Media]]. Unlike ''Tinkle'', ''Target'' was more of a narrative magazine, with a few pages of comics. Their flagship character that time was [[Detective Moochwala|Detective Moochhwala]] ([[Hindi]] for "the man with a [[mustache]]") by [[Ajit Ninan]]. Moochhwala who was a detective with penetrating eyes and a huge mustache. ''Tinkle'' decided to create a competing character. Subba Rao and Dhruva, two of the creators at ''Tinkle'', came up with the proposal for such a character. They decided to base this new character on a boastful but cowardly big game hunter in the then famous television drama, ''[[I Love Lucy]]''.

Luis Fernandes then worked on producing the first story, which was originally named "Shambu", before Shahid Hidayat prefixed Shikari ([[Hindustani language|Hindi]] for "hunter") to the name. Some of his editorial teammates had reservation over the use of the name Shikari, as the [[wildlife conservation]] theme was in its prominence. But, the sheer charisma of the name, they and the editor [[Anant Pai]], decided to let it continue. But, contrary to the name, the creators ensured that Shambu never would shoot or kill any animal in any of its episodes. More than that, creators slowly even disassociated him from his trademark [[hunting gun]], after few episodes. The "non-violence" policy of ''Tinkle'' also resulted in Shambu being portrayed as more of an [[exploration|explorer]] than a hunter.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/the-tinkle-tale/710839/ | title = The Tinkle Tale | author = Pooja Pillai | date = 2010-11-14 | access-date = 2013-01-29 | publisher = [[The Indian Express]] }}</ref>

One of the reasons for the popularity of Shikari Shambu, was due to the comical [[illustration]]s of the artist, Vasant Halbe. Halbe, who was a freelancer at Tinkle that time, had impressed the editorial team with his earlier works. Once he was confirmed officially as the artist for the series, he showcased his character sketches, of which a drawing of Shikari with his Topi (hat) pulled down over his eyes, caught everyone’s attention. The sketch went on to be the among the flagship character of Tinkle.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/tinkle-tinkle-little-star/488721/ |title=Tinkle Tinkle little star |author = Abhas Sharma | publisher=Business Standard |date=2012-10-07 |access-date=2013-01-29}}</ref> In 1997, Savio A. Mascarenhas replaced Halbe as the illustrator.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_tinkle-comic-turns-30-on-childrens-day-keeps-kids-glued-with-new-characters_1465899 | title = Tinkle comic turns 30 on Children’s Day, keeps kids glued with new characters | author = Namita Handa | date = 2010-11-13 | access-date = 2013-01-29 | publisher = [[DNA (newspaper)|DNA]] }}</ref>

== As Little Shambu ==

Later, during the 434th issue of [[Tinkle]], the childhood version of Shambu and also a spin-off of the series, known as Little Shambu appeared. It was a brainwave of Reena Ittyerah Puri, the former Associate Editor of Tinkle and now, Editor, [[Amar Chitra Katha]].
The characters of Little Shambu are-

1. Little Shambu- The childhood version of Shikari Shambu.

2. Little Shanti- The childhood version of Shanti, Shambu's Wife.

3. Little J.J.- The childhood version of Jeeva Jeevantak, an old arch-rival of Shambu who wants to harass him.

4. Dum Dum- The pet of Little Shambu, who doesn't appears in the main comic series, Shikari Shambu.

5. Kittu- The pet of Little Shanti. She doesn't appears in Shikari Shambu comic series and always harassed by J.J.

6. Suhasini- She is Little Shambu's mother. Although, her name was not revealed but revealed in a story named Nibble Nibble, which is the 3rd Little Shambu story.

7. Shambu's Father- (The name has not revealed) He is the father of Little Shambu and he always scolded him and even tried to leave him wherever the Shambu household went on such occasions.

The reoccurring characters of Little Shambu are Manu Kaka, Panda Thieves, The teacher, The School Watchman, Prof. Y. Russ, Lakshmi, the Temple Elephant, Kondiah, etc.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Indian comics]]
[[Category:Comics characters introduced in 1983]]
[[Category:Comics adapted into animated films]]

Shikari Shambu - Revision history

150.129.181.137: /* As Little Shambu */