How Tinkle magazine came to be called ‘Tinkle’

Tinkle, India’s English first magazine for children, has just published its 600th issue.

Rajani Thindiath, who took over as the magazine’s editor after the demise of Anant Pai, speaks to the New York Times‘  blog, India Ink:

Q: First things first. Why is Tinkle called “Tinkle”?

A: Subba Rao, who was the associate editor of Amar Chitra Katha, proposed the idea of a comic book for children to Anant Pai during a meeting. Mr Rao’s idea was accepted, and the team began discussing a name for the magazine. Mr. Pai said he wanted a musical name—and that’s when a call interrupted the meeting.

Mr. Rao, whose phone had rung, told the caller that he was busy and that he would give a “tinkle,” or call back, later in the day. Then, when he put the phone down, Mr. Rao proposed ‘Tinkle’ as the name of the new magazine. Mr Pai liked the name and Tinkle was born.

Soon the ‘Tinkle Tinkle Little Star’ campaigns started airing on radio and TV, based on the popular children’s rhyme, to launch the new magazine.

Read the full interview: Rajani Thindiath