Gag on Newspapers or Ban on Corruption? Which is Desirable?

It has come to our notice that the Indian language press is almost unanimous in condemning the new P...

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February 27, 1907

Educational spoilsports in Travancore

Educational Secretary Mr. P. Ayyappan Pillai, who has no considerable knowledge of Malayalam languag...

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November 13, 1907

A Worrisome Situation (From a Correspondent)

There can be no two opinions about the fact that the prosperity of the world depends on agriculture,...

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October 07, 1908

Some Thoughts on Education

The speech made by Honourable C.Krishna Pillai B. A. in his capacity as the chairman of the prize gi...

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February 19, 1908

Mohammedan Education in Travancore

There is no doubt that the government proceedings published in yesterday's government gazette regard...

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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.