Police artist's impression of the Monkey Man of New Delhi

The Monkey-Man of Delhi (English: The Face Scratcher, Hindi: मुंहनोचवा, Urdu: منھ نوچوا) aka Kala Bandar ("Black Monkey") is an unknown anomaly which was reported to be roaming Delhi in mid-2001. The entire incident has been described as an example of mass hysteria in India.[1][2][3]

History

In May 2001, reports circulated in New Delhi, India concerning a monkey-like creature that attacked people at night.[4] Eyewitness accounts were often inconsistent, but usually described the creature as about four feet (120 cm) tall,[5] covered in thick black hair, with a metal helmet, metal claws, glowing red eyes and three buttons on its chest. Some reports also claim that it wore roller-skates.[6] Others, however, described the Monkey-man as having a more vulpine snout, and being up to eight feet tall, and muscular; it would leap from building to building. Over 350 sightings of the Kala Bandar were reported, as well as around 60 resulting in injuries.[7] Police released artist's sketches of eyewitness accounts in an attempt to catch the creature. Two (by some reports, three) people reportedly died when they fell from the tops of buildings or down stairwells in a panic caused when they thought they were under attack.[5]

Film

The appearance of Monkey Man in Old Delhi is the centre-point of the 2009 Bollywood Hindi film Delhi-6 directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra. In the film, the creature, called in Hindi as "Kala Bandar (Black Monkey)" is used as an allegory to represent the evil that resides inside every man alongside God (virtue). The monkey man has never actually been caught on tape.

Television

In 2012, the Hindi TV series Mrs. Kaushik Ki Paanch Bahuein featured a story track around the mystery of "Kala Bandar" (Black Monkey).[8]

Music

The Monkey Man is referenced in track 12 "Mysterious Man-Monkey" from American cello rock band Rasputina's 2011 album Great American Gingerbread: Rasputina Rarities & Neglected Items.

In the 2011 graphic novel Munkeeman by Tere Bin Laden director Abhishek Sharma, the creature is interpreted as a misunderstood superhero, who was the result of a science experiment gone wrong. The first edition, Munkeeman Vol 1 chronicled the creatures brief appearance in Delhi, and the second edition will feature the creature in Kanpur, based on the incidents reported in February 2002.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Polidoro, Massimo (2002). "Return of Spring-Heeled Jack". Skeptical Inquirer. Retrieved 4 May 2016.
  2. ↑ Carroll, Robert Todd (2003). The Skeptic's Dictionary: A Collection of Strange Beliefs, Amusing Deceptions, and Dangerous Delusions. John Wiley & Sons. p. 140. ISBN 978-0-471-27242-7.
  3. ↑ Verma, S.K.; Srivastava, D.K. (2003). "A Study on Mass Hysteria (Monkey Men?) Victims In East Delhi". Indian Journal of Medical Sciences. 57 (8): 355–360. PMID 12944693. Archived from the original on 27 June 2015.
  4. ↑ It's a man! It's a monkey! It's a...; by Onkar Singh in New Delhi; 18 May 2001; Rediff India. 'Monkey man' keeps Delhi awake again; 18 May 2001; Rediff India. . Also see , ,
  5. 1 2 "Desi fables - The Times of India". Indiatimes. 26 June 2010. Retrieved 25 October 2010.
  6. ↑ Harding, Luke (18 May 2001). "'Monkey man' causes panic across Delhi". The Guardian. New Delhi.
  7. ↑ Bhairav, J. Furcifer; Khanna, Rakesh (2020). Ghosts, Monsters, and Demons of India. India: Blaft Publications Pvt. Ltd. p. 245. ISBN 9789380636474.
  8. ↑ "Bhoot family to visit Mrs. Kaushik House!". The Times of India. TNN. 19 November 2012.
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