Chandrasekaran: First edition nearly sold out (Advertisement)

A historical novel translated from English. Newspapers have given very good comments about this nov...

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August 22, 1908

What is required? Prohibition of the Press or Prohibition of Corruption?

What is needed now in Travancore is not a law banning the freedom of press. We had stated in an earl...

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September 12, 1910

From the Journalist's Diary

‘Save me from my friends’ – this should be how Mr. Rajagopalachari is thinking now. That the enthusi...

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December 22, 1909

House tax

Starting from the upcoming month of Kumbham (February-March 1910), the government has decided to lev...

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January 24, 1906

News Round-Up - Travancore

High Court Clerk Mr. Wilfred De Neto (B.A.B.L.) has been appointed as the Kayamkulam Magistrate. Th...

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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.