Jun 20, 2003 01:59 PM
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(Updated Jun 20, 2003 01:59 PM)
There are a lot of tamil magazines, and they are highly diverse in nature.There are magazines for women, Sports, Politics, Computers, Kids, novels etc, and each one have their own reader base.Most of these magazines are either fortnightly or monthly, or weekly twice published.But only the Weekly magazines have a proper qualitative and quantitaive database.Leaving aside the mediocre weeklies like Devi, Rani, Kungumam etc, the two widely read magazines by Tamils are Kumudam and Ananda Vikatan. And they are the Tamil Weekly Dons.
Kumudam and Anada Vikatan have a lot of things in common, and they always go head to head.
# Both these magazines are not supported by newspapers(many magazines thrive becoz of newspapers)
# Both these magazines have a great history(They have been in glitz for 50 years, and there is no one reason why they wont be in the next 50 years)
# Both these magazines are priced at Rs.6 (They always maintain unity in price)
# Both these magazines cover almost all the subjects, and never fail to zero in on the passions of Tamils like Cinema, Politics, Sport and Humour(Thier emphasis on humour is unmistakeable).
# Both have grown steadily, and have a group of magazines under their banner(In fields of Politics, and Women Issues also, they go head to head.They have started their own publications as well)
#Both these magazines have an enviable database of readers.(many magazines combined may not have such a readers bank)
Even their websites stand amidst the top browsed sites by Tamils.And the success of these magazines in bringing complex information to the simple public is devastating.
The competition between Kumudam and Ananda Vikatan is highly competetive, and more importantly a symbol of healthy competition.You cannot pick a permanent winner among these equally good competitiors, and the mantle changes with every issue. However in most cases(weeks), both these magazines enjoy equal advantage(applause).The affair between Kumudam and Ananda Vikatan is like a Tennis game with 2 players on a deuce, and deadlocked in a deuce battle, after a lot of advantage Kumudam and Ananda Vikatan.There would be no winner for this Tamil Weekly Don.
However let us see, how when and why Ananda Vikatan siezes the advantage.Its now Advantage Ananda Vikatan...
Ananda Vikatan scores of with it's humour.Though both Kumudam and Vikatan are qually competent, it is well known that Aavi(a popular name for Ananda Vikatan) provides better humour.There are well distributed jokes, comic articles and innovative humorous ventures.The latest Mr.Reel is indeed a loveable humour sequence, wherein the reactions of celebrities to assumed situations are narrated hilariously.
Ananda Vikatam publishes interesting short stories, and relay stories, which are always well written and worth reading.However it is relay articles like ''Manase Relax Please'' and ''Katrathum Petrathum'' that are more bonded to the readers.The peculiar '' Annu Akka Aunty'' deserves a special mention too.The section which is based on a chat between three women throw a plethora of information.The ''Internet Bits'' gives a lot of browsing tips and interesting online news.The cutting edge for Ananda Vikatan is always provided by Madhan in his ''Hai Madhan''.The way the cartoonist/reader Madhan stylishly responds to the unassuming questions of readers is always humorous and informative.It is perhaps the most popular section of all magazines.
Aavi always stands tall in its public relations and handling.Aavi frequently organises innovative competitions for the readers.In a similar fashion, Aavi goes for rapid and consistent interaction with the public, and cleverly converts them into readable articles.Aavi always maintains a very good rapprt with its readers.
Coming into the three passions of Cinema, Politics and Sports, Anada Vikatan covers Cinema in a lovely and positive manner.Aavi deserves lavish praise for highlighting the highs/captivating works rather than the lows/contrevorisal works.It is one magazine that nay be credited with glorifying Kollywood, rather than thrive on exposing the chinks of Kollywood.Their film reviews, interviews and articles are of high quality.
Most of the Tamil Magazines tend to forget Sports, and it happens to Aavi also.However Aavi comes up with entertaining/educative articles on Sports, at times of major sproting events and issues.Aavi's coverage of Politics is cool too.The materials are focussed on information conveyance rather than intense creation.
The cover design of Aavi is very cool, and its approach at all quarters is thoroughly proffesional.The usage of their website as a complimentary force is highly commendable.
Overall a lovely weekly magazine, that would affirm to the needs of its sphere of influence.And Seldom do Tamils miss this magazine.
