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 Seeonee wolf pack the Law of the Jungle. His most challenging pupil is the "man-cub" Mowgli; despite Bagheera's objections he sometimes finds it necessary to use corporal punishment against Mowgli, although when called upon to defend the man-cub against the Bandar-log he does not hesitate.

Baloo is one of Mowgli's mentors. He, Bagheera and Kaa 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 Presents Pixar's The 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 song The Bare Necessities, sung by Phil 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]