- Baloo
Baloo is the fictional "sleepy old grey bear" featured in
Rudyard Kipling 's "The Jungle Book " and "The Second Jungle Book ".In Kipling's work
The name "Baloo" is derived from the
Pashtun word for "bear": bhālū from Sanskr. bhallūka; this is possibly a dialect form for bhalnū-ka < bharṇū-ka, from a word meaning brown: cf. sw. björn, OHG. bero, bear. The genuine word for bear is nevertheless ṛ́kṣa, like Grk. árktos (cf. Arctic), Lat. ursus, Arm. arǰ.Baloo teaches the cubs of the Seeoneewolf packthe Law of the Jungle . His most challenging pupil is the "man-cub"Mowgli ; despiteBagheera 's objections he sometimes finds it necessary to usecorporal punishment against Mowgli, although when called upon to defend the man-cub against theBandar-log he does not hesitate.Baloo is one of Mowgli's mentors. He,
Bagheera andKaa sing for Mowgli "The Outsong" of the jungle.In Disney productions
A character named Baloo, based on Kipling's creation, has also appeared in various Disney productions, starting with that company's feature-length version of "The Jungle Book". In this version, Baloo is an easygoing and fun-loving character who shirks responsibility -- seemingly far removed from the law teacher in Kipling's book. This version of the character has appeared in three animated series, "
TaleSpin " (as a pilot), "Jungle Cubs " (as a cub) and "Disney's House of Mouse " (as a guest), as well as a feature-length sequel to the animated movie. He also made a cameo appearance in the "Disney on Ice " play, "Disney PresentsPixar 'sThe Incredibles in a Magic Kingdom Adventure", meeting up with Violet. Disney's Baloo is arguably the most popular character in The Jungle Book. Baloo was made famous the songThe Bare Necessities , sung byPhil Harris , in which he tells Mowgli how a life of leisure can be achieved by living off the land - if you know the tricks.Interpreters
Baloo's voice has been done by
*Phil Harris ("The Jungle Book")
* Ed Gilbert ("TaleSpin ")
*Jim Broadbent ("Sir Tod ")
*Pamela Adlon ("Jungle Cubs ")
*John Goodman ("The Jungle Book 2 ")
*A.J. Henderson (English voice in ")
*Corey Burton ("The Jungle Book Groove Party ")In an unproduced show called "B-Players" about supporting characters from Disney movies, Baloo was intended to appear as one of the better-off veterans of Disney films. Although the series was never made, it helped re-familiarize the Disney TV animation department with Baloo. [ [http://mag.awn.com/index.php?ltype=search&sval=tad+stones&article_no=2157&page=4 Animation World Magazine ] ]
Other uses
*Baloo Latin for hullabaloo " slang".
*Baloo Common name for small pet Chihuaua Dogs, Otherwise knows as Bibis and Mehen.
*Baloo is also the pen name of cartoonist Rex F. May.
*Like all of the main Jungle Book Characters, Baloo is used as a name for an adult leader in many
Cub Scout Packs.*In the Scouting world, BALOO is an acronym for Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation, a BSA course for adult Cub Scout Leaders wherein they learn the fundamental skills for taking Cub Scouts on an overnight campout.
* In Hindi, baloo means bear.
References
External links
* [http://home.cwnet.com/xephyr/rich/dzone/hoozoo/baloo.html Baloo's profile @ Hoozoo]
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