The Rise of Malayalam Comics: Why Kerala Is Returning to Reading

Ann Maria Thomas
5 days ago
3 min read

How comics, culture, and migration are bringing Keralites back to books.

A Reading Revival Across Kerala

Malayalam comics are experiencing a powerful comeback. From school libraries in Kerala to Malayali homes in the UAE, the UK, USA, Germany, Australia, and every corner of the globe, families are rediscovering the joy of reading.

The question is, why now?

Children today grow up surrounded by screens, short videos, and fast entertainment. Many parents feel their children are slowly moving away from books. But there is one format that still captures their attention instantly:

Comics.

Malayalam comics combine colour, storytelling, culture, and simplicity, making them the perfect gateway to bring children back to reading.

A Strong Foundation: Malayalam Comics Have Deep Roots

Kerala has always been a reading state. From legendary comics like Balarama, Mayavi, Poompatta, and Balamangalam, generations of Malayalis were raised on illustrated stories.

Recent studies show that:

India’s comic book market is rapidly growing
Kerala retains one of the strongest reading cultures in India
Schools and libraries continue to promote story reading
Print comics still dominate over digital formats

Malayalam comics have a legacy, and now, they have a future.

The Migration Wave: Malayalis Everywhere, Culture Everywhere

It is popularly said that no matter which part of the world you go to, you will find a Malayali there. Every day, hundreds of families migrate from Kerala to other states in India and to countries like the UAE, Qatar, the UK, Germany, Canada, Australia, and the US.

When this large migration started happening in the last 20–30 years, many parents noticed a big problem:

Their children slowly started forgetting Malayalam.

Kids spoke English or the local language of the new country. They found it difficult to speak fluently with their grandparents back home. Some could not read Malayalam at all.

This worried parents deeply.

Today’s young Malayali parents, especially those living abroad, are holding their culture, language, and identity close to their hearts more than ever before.

So they do three things consciously:

Speak Malayalam at home
Encourage children to read and write Malayalam
Read Malayalam storybooks and comics to their kids

They want their children to:

stay connected to their roots
Talk easily with grandparents
understand Kerala’s culture, humour, festivals, and values
feel proud of being Malayali

This emotional need is one major reason Malayalam comics are rising again, not just in Kerala, but globally.

Malayalam Comics = Culture + Language + Imagination

For Malayali parents, especially outside Kerala, Malayalam comics are more than entertainment. They are:

Language teachers
Culture keepers
Memory creators
Bonding tools
Identity protectors

Every time a parent reads a Malayalam comic to their child, they are planting two seeds:

(1) A love for reading

(2) A love for Malayalam

This connection is priceless.

Why Malay Publications Is at the Centre of This Revival

Malay Publications is part of this beautiful movement. Our mission, Back to Reading, is built exactly for this new generation of families.

We create comics and graphic stories that:

Use simple Malayalam
rich in visuals
carry humour, culture, and morals
appeal to both kids and parents
can be enjoyed in Kerala and across the world

At Malay Publications, we are building a whole new world of Malayalam comics for today’s generation. A wide range of exciting upcoming titles are on the way, especially stories inspired by Kerala’s rich folklore, classic animal tales children love, and original adventures that readers of all ages can enjoy. Each comic is created with simple Malayalam, beautiful visuals, and heartfelt storytelling to preserve our culture while making reading fun for every Malayali family.

The Future of Malayalam Comics

The next decade will witness: