The Calamity in Hyderabad

It may be recalled that our last editorial about the calamity of flood that struck the state of the...

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December 12, 1908

Local News - Travancore

Veterinary Surgeon Mr. Buckle has been granted 3-months leave of absence. Assistant Engineer Mr. Ku...

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June 03, 1910

What Mr C. Sankaran Nair said about Social Reform

Some views expressed by Mr C. Sankaran Nair while presiding over the 12th anniversary of the Madras...

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October 02, 1907

Southern Police

Southern Police (Staff reporter) There is an Assistant Superintendent, namely Hughwarf, for the So...

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June 14, 1909

News Round-Up – World

Readers are aware that numerous individuals from Travancore migrated to Burma and are currently enga...

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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.