The need for ritual program

The Smritis* are legal texts governing the people, which are revered as the epitome of scriptures. I...

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May 02, 1906

Travancore: Then and Now

There is no doubt that to the foreigners of today, who are distressed over the Brahmin aristocracy o...

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June 12, 1907

News Round Up: National

It is reported that the Emir of Afghanistan has contracted a disease called rheumatism. *** The an...

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February 27, 1907

Government printing press

There is no doubt that the numerous articles found in English newspapers such as the "Western Star"...

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August 08, 1906

A South African wonder

In Natal, South Africa, a remarkable building has been completed within the town limits of Newcastle...

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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.