Sambandham

Sambandham was an informal mode of marriage followed by Nairs, Samantha Kshatriyas, Kshatriyas, and Ambalavasis among their own communities as well as with the Nambudiris, in what is the present day state of Kerala, India.[

Hand Written Letter Of Swadeshabhimani Ramakrishna Pillai

K. Ramakrishna Pillai was the second editor of Svadesabhimani.

A School In Travancore From 1900S

This picture was taken by D'Cruz Zacharia in early 1900s.

University College, Trivandrum

Believed to be a photo taken by the official photographer of the King of Thiruvithankur, Zachariah Dicruz. Source British Library, Thiruvananthapuram

Travancore Christ Church

Picture taken by Zacharias D'Cruz. Source : British Library, Trivandrum

English Translations

June 21, 1909

A Demeaning Behaviour

The curiosity to learn about the personal details of the authors of newspaper articles critical of t...

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November 13, 1907

The Travancore Monarchy (Four)

The first among them is Charavana. This person is known by some other names as well. Names such as...

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September 26, 1908

Namboothiri Yogakshema Sabha (Namboothiri Welfare Society)

While the waves of state and community affairs reforms triggered by the spread of Western education...

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October 24, 1906

The Popular Assembly

It has been decided that the third annual meeting of Sri Moolam Popular Assembly will be held on the...

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March 14, 1906

Turkey and Persia

[Note: This article is entitled Turkey and Persia in the original, but it also covers other internat...

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About the Collection

The Svadesabhimani was a weekly Malayalam language newspaper founded by the noted writer and journalist Vakkom Abdul Khader Moulavi (1873-1932), who was the owner and publisher and its managing editor. This digital collection contains the original Malayalam and their English translations.

Throughout its existence, it was funded through the personal funds of Vakkom Moulavi, who imported a modern press from Britain. The newspaper began publication in Anjengo, a small village in the princely state of Travancore, on 19 January 1905. Chirayinkeezhu C.P Govinda Pillai was the first editor for one year, after which Sri. K. Ramakrishna Pillai became the editor. The newspaper ceased publication on 26 September 1910, when it was banned by a Royal Proclamation, the editor Ramakrishna Pillai was exiled and the press was confiscated.

The Svadesabhimani served to inform the public in Travancore, as well as in the Malayalam speaking regions, about local, national and international issues. It stood apart from other Malayalam newspapers of the time in exposing corruption in the government, analysing and critiquing government policies, discussing important issues of social and religious reform and bringing news of the national anti-colonial movement and international developments. It is considered a trailblazer in Malayalam journalism, contributing to the development of a new political consciousness in the state.