Popular assembly statutes

The government's recent publication in the gazette, along with the revised Popular Assembly Statutes...

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April 30, 1909

Two News Stories

[Text missing] that Mr. Achary has swiftly moved to shut down certain public dining halls consequent...

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April 08, 1910

A correspondent writes from Madras

A correspondent writes from Madras:- This year's university convocation was held on Thursday, March...

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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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March 28, 1910

The unprincipled Nairs

“If you have to eat where you have not eaten before, you have to take a new route to reach there...

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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.