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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March 14, 1906

Kerala News Round-Up

Alappuzha is known to be significantly impacted by smallpox. One foot of water has been discharged...

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June 30, 1909

Warped thoughts of "Malayala Manorama"

A respectable writer in 'Svadesabhimani' wrote a while ago that it is absurd for the newspaper to st...

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May 09, 1906

Travancore Education Department (Three)

(Sasthaav) The important duties assigned to the education secretary can be summed up as follows: to...

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September 21, 1910

Sri Moolam Popular Assembly

The general public is holding protest meetings in connection with the amendment of the Popular Assem...

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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.