History of Malayalam Press

Lincy Joseph

The history of Malayalam journalism is over hundred and fifty years old. Its genealogy is often traced to Christian missionaries who brought out books and periodicals for the propagation of religion. The first Malayalam book Samkshepa Vedartham was printed in Rome, by Fr. Clement Piyanias in 1772.

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The first Malayalam book to be printed on Indian soil was a translation of the New Testament in 1418 at Courier Press, Bombay. In 1811, the New Testament in Malayalam was printed here. Philippose Rampan did its translation. It was the first book in Malayalam printed in Indian soil.

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 It was Benjamin Bailey who started printing from Kottayam in 1821. Using the types given by Fort St. George College of Madras, he printed the first book Cherupaithangal in 1824. Not satisfied with the types, he designed a new set of Malayalam types in 1829 and used them for printing the New Testament.

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It was in 1845, that a litho press was set up in Malabar at Illikkunnu near Thalasseri by Rev. Herman Gundert of the Basal Mission

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Herman GundertDr. Hermann Gundert was a famous German scholar and missionary who is noted for his outstanding contribution towards Malayalam language. Gundert compiled a Malayalam grammar book Malayalabhaasha Vyakaranam in 1859, the first Malayalam - English dictionary in 1872 and also translated the Bible into Malayalam language.

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Rajyasamacharam Basel Mission Society (BMS) started the first

newspaper in Kerala

June 1847

Herman Gundert was the brain behind this newspaper

from Illikkunnu near Tellicherry

Known as ‘News of the Kingdom’

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Rajyasamacharam

Six page monthly

It had 42 issues

Free of cost

It ceased publication in 1850

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Rajyasamacharam

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Paschimodayam

Known as ‘Dawn of the West’

Second journal

Started in October 1847 from Tellichery

Publisher : BMS

Contents included natural science, geography, history etc

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Paschimodayam

Consisted of Eight pages

It annual subscription was half a rupee

Federic Mullar was the editor of Paschimodayam

Ceased publication in 1851

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Paschimodayam

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Jnana Nikshepam

Treasury of Knowledge

Published in 1848 from CMS press Kottayam

  Benchamin Baily played a crucial role in

publishing this newspaper

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Jnana Nikshepam

Monthly magazine was the first paper,that came out of printing machine. It was well-circulated among the Christian, Hindu and

Muslim communities. eight-page magazine First to publish monthly calender and serialised novel

‘Pullelikunju’

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Jnana Nikshepam

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Vidyasamgraham

Fourth journal in Malayalam The first educational publication Also known as Kottayam College

Quarterly magazine By CMS College in 1864 from

Kottayam It gave a great service to literature,

language and education Ceased publication in 1867

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Vidyasamgraham

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Sathyanada Kahalam

Trumpet of the Voice Started on October 12, 1876 from

Koonamavu Publishers : Italian Carmelite Mission Its first editor: Rev.Fr.Candidus 16 page fortnightly

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Sathyanada Kahalam

1900: thrice a month

1904: weekly

1926: Sathyanadam

1999: ceased publication

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Keralopakari

Started in 1878

Published by BMS

Contents: articles, essays, stories

with moral content, etc

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Nasrani Deepika

Published from Kottayam in 1887 Fortnightly 1895 : thrice a month 1899: weekly 1927: daily 1931 – 1938 : weekly 1938: name was changed to Deepika Oldest surviving newspaper in

Malayalam

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The first issue of Deepika

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Lets recall…

Rajyasamacharam Paschimodayam Jnana nikshepam vidyasamgraham Sathyanada kahalam Keralopakari Nasrani deepika

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Thank You….