Dinkan

Dinkan (Malayalam: ഡിങ്കൻ) is a fictional anthropomorphic superhero mouse who appears in an eponymous Malayalam comic story series in children's magazine Balamangalam.[2][3] Some modern day rationalists of Kerala use Dinkan to mock organized religion and religious intolerance.[4]

For other uses, see Mighty Mouse.
Dinkan
ഡിങ്കൻ
Publication information
PublisherBalamangalam
First appearance1983[1]
Created byN. Somasekharan (concept)
Baby (design)
In-story information
SpeciesMouse
Place of originPankila forest
Supporting character ofMittu
Abilities
  • Superior strength
  • Enhanced senses
  • Flight
  • High endurance

History

Dinkan (ഡിങ്കൻ) was created by story-writer N. Somasekharan and artist Baby in 1983.[1][5] 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 borrowed a few traits from the iconic DC Comics character Superman. He also had characteristics of Iron Man.

Character biography

Dinkan was born in Pankila forest, somewhere in Kerala, India.[5] He was a naughty mouse, who wasn't disciplined. During one of his escapades, Dinkan was abducted by aliens from an unknown planet.[1][6] 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 the Pankila forest and he decided to use his powers for the well-being of animals in the forest.

Dinkoism
Main article: Dinkoism

Dinkoism has emerged as a parody religion on social networks organized by some atheists in Kerala, India. This religion celebrates Dinkan as their God in an attempt to bring awareness of the fallacies and practices of traditional religions.[7][5]

British Broadcasting Corporation covered the Dinkoist religion in its BBCTrending Programme. BBC reported Dinkoism as an atheist movement with significant growth in the social media.[7]

Growing recognition

On January 3, 2016, a group of dinkoists, calling themselves Mooshikasena (the Rat Army), went to protest in front of actor Dileep's Dhe Puttu restaurant to protest his film titled Professor Dinkan ("Professor Dinkan") on the grounds that it offended their religious sentiments. This was a mockery of similar protests around the world, especially in India.[8]

Also in January 2016, a Dinkanist in California won the right to have a license plate for his car with Dinkan written on it, in recognition of his belief.[9]

References
  1. Kiran Tom Sajan DC Kochi (7 October 2012). "Pressure mounts for Dinkan's return". Deccan Chronicle. Archived from the original on 12 October 2012. Retrieved 19 October 2012.
  2. Shevlin Sebastian (14 March 2016). "Playing the Cat and Super Mouse Game". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
  3. Lee, Lois; Bullivant, Stephen (17 November 2016). Oxford: A Dictionary of Atheism. Oxford University Press. Dinkoism. ISBN 9780192520135.
  4. "You like to outrage? Learn from Kerala's religious group 'Dinkoism' targeting actor Dileep". 31 January 2016.
  5. Jinoy Jose P (20 January 2018). "All hail the mighty mouse". Business Line. Retrieved 22 December 2019.
  6. TK Devasia (22 March 2016). "Dinkan worship: Hundreds attend Kerala conclave of mock religion that reveres a superhero mouse". Scroll.in. Retrieved 22 December 2019.
  7. Alvaro A. Ricciardelli (11 April 2016). "The mouse messiah bringing salvation to India's atheists". BBC News. Retrieved 22 December 2019.
  8. Webdesk (30 January 2016). "Protest against upcoming Dileep film named Professor Dinkan". onlookersmedia. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
  9. "കാലിഫോർണിയയിലെ മലയാളിക്കു ഡിങ്കന്റെ നാമത്തിൽ നമ്പർ പ്ലേറ്റ്; ഡിങ്ക ഭഗവാനു സ്തുതി പാടി..." www.marunadanmalayalee.com. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
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