News Round-Up

We believe that Land Revenue Order No. 22 will bring relief to the tenants of Travancore. The number...

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January 24, 1906

A Word to the Nair community (Written by a Gentleman)

I believe that for the Nairs to derive any further benefits, a decisive decision must be made and im...

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December 10, 1909

Elementary education

                            &n...

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October 24, 1906

The Need for a Muslim Council in Travancore

The last census has brought to light that a sixteenth of the three million strong population of Trav...

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August 10, 1910

Popular assembly statutes

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

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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.