History and development of Malayalam, Kannada, Tamil and Telegu press

1. History and development of Malayalam, Kannada, Tamil and Telegu press Seema Narendran, Ramnarain Ruia College

2. Malayalam Journalism • The Malayalam Almanac (Malayala Panchangam) published from Thalasherry in North Kerela in 1846 is the first contemporary publication in Malayalam • During those days, Basal Mission activities in North Kerala flourished under Dr. Herman Gundert with headquarters in Thalassery. • Even before the idea of a united Kerala State was born, the first Malayalam paper Malayala Panchangam commenced publication. Seema Narendran, Ramnarain Ruia College

3. The release of Malayala Panchangam was instrumental for such other publications being brought out later from Travancore, Kochi and Malabar. • A step forward in its expansion programmes was Rajyasamacharam brought out by the same Basal Mission. Seema Narendran, Ramnarain Ruia College

4. The development since Rajyasamacharam found expression when the Mission started another publication Paschimodayam in October 1847. • The first newspaper Malayala Panchangam that was the precursor in introducing literacy in the state was printed by a hand press Seema Narendran, Ramnarain Ruia College

5. For all-purpose of references like marriage, birth, death etc., people depended on Panchangams inscribed and preserved in Thaliyolas. • As people reposed much confidence in Panchangams, the Basal Mission thought, a newspaper to be brought out with the same title and similar character would get immediate acceptance and become a popular medium in no time. Seema Narendran, Ramnarain Ruia College

6. The main objective of Malayala Panchangam was to protect the interests and aspirations of the local readers. • Though the idea of a print media was not born from a Malayali, it marked the beginning of a media culture capable of conquering his mind and popularity. • The publication also laid much stress on the social background of the reader. Seema Narendran, Ramnarain Ruia College

7. As evident by its title, the paper was aware of the significance of holidays, festivals etc. for ready reference. • It was also evident that the paper had aimed at adopting a conventional outlook in life and its reintroduction. Seema Narendran, Ramnarain Ruia College

8. It published articles, which could influence the readers spiritually. • paper also assumed the role of medium for religious propaganda. • Though the paper consisted mostly of almanac related matters to attract the readers, it ignited the inquisitiveness and quest for knowledge Seema Narendran, Ramnarain Ruia College

9. The Satyanadakahalam, a 16 page fortnightly began in October 1876 • It covered international affairs, court cases, government pronouncements and local news. • It was later renamed to Satyanandam and was the first illustrated journal Seema Narendran, Ramnarain Ruia College

10. The first real newspaper in Malayalam was the Kerala Mitram, by a Gujrati ,Devji Bhimji from Cochin in 1865 • He also ran a Marathi magazine Keralakokil from Cochin • He was also a pioneer in the publication of books in Kerala Seema Narendran, Ramnarain Ruia College

11. The authorities ordered him to submit all matter for approval by them, when he refused they closed down the publication • Finally after repeated appeals to the British Resident Henry Neville the order was revoked Seema Narendran, Ramnarain Ruia College

12. The first newspaper in Malabar was the Kerala Patrika edited by Chengalathu Kunhirama Menon from Calicut in 1884 • He wielded a powerful pen, highlighted stories of corruption, ineptitude among the officials and miscarriage of justice • The Maharaja of Travancore was so impressed with Menon’s crusading spirit that he subscribed for 200 copies of the Kerala Patrika, which he distributed among his officials Seema Narendran, Ramnarain Ruia College

13. But when Menon criticised the literary works of the Maharaja, the latter promptly cancelled his subscription for 200 copies • Menon remains the father of Malayalam journalism. After his death the paper continued publication under a new management but was shut down some time later • In 1886 came the Kerala Sanchari edited by “Kesari” (Vengalil Kunhiraman Nayanar) from Kozhikode Seema Narendran, Ramnarain Ruia College

14. Kesari was devastating in his satirical references to bungling officials and their high- handedness • The Deepika now the oldest Malayalam daily commenced publication in 1887 from Kottayam, for the social, cultural and political uplift of the Christian community • In 1938 it became a daily and became a full –fledged newspaper catering to the interests of all communities Seema Narendran, Ramnarain Ruia College

15. Kandathil Verghese Mapillai, who had edited Kerala Mitram in 1888 launched the Malayala Manorama under the editorship of K C Mammen Mapillai • The Malayala Manorama was launched as the first stock publishing company of India. • It was christened by a leading poet of the time Kerala Verma Seema Narendran, Ramnarain Ruia College

16. The first issue of the paper came out on March 22, 1890. • It carried poetry, literary criticism and political and social reports • By 1901, the Manorama had grown into a bi- weekly and a tri –weekly in 1918 and a daily by 1928 Seema Narendran, Ramnarain Ruia College

17. Within a century it launched nine other editions in Kerala and three outside the state, in Mumbai, Chennai and Bangalore. • Verghese Mapillai also launched the Bhashaposhini magazine which brought together the greatest writers, poets and creative thinkers • On his death in 1904, his nephew, Mammen Mapillai took over as editor Seema Narendran, Ramnarain Ruia College

18. Started special columns for women and children, initiated debates on political issues and industry and made the Manorama a powerful catalyst of social change • Mammen Mapillai also started the National and Quilon Bank which became very successful in the 1930s Seema Narendran, Ramnarain Ruia College

19. He championed the cause of civil liberties and responsible government • Unable to restrain him the States Dewan, Sir C P Ramaswamy Iyer, ruined his bank by engineering a run on it in 1938. • The Malayala Manorama was sealed in 1938 and Mammen Mapillai was jailed and his property, confiscated. He was released two years later. He died in December 1953 Seema Narendran, Ramnarain Ruia College

20. Malayala Manorama did not appear from 1938 to November 29, 1947 • On Mammen Mapillais death, his son K.M. Cherian took over as editor. • Cherian died on March 14, 1973 by which time the paper had grown into a national daily Seema Narendran, Ramnarain Ruia College

21. The Manorama group includes Balarama, Vanitha, Bhashaposhini and Manorama Weekly • Technologically advanced, all 12 centres of publication of the Manorama are connected to a High Speed Wide Area Network using fibre – optic cable network. • Besides the Manorama there are other publications like Kerala Kaumudi, Mathrubhumi, the Kerala Sachari, the Nasrani, Deepika, Swadeshabhimani and the Kerala Kesari Seema Narendran, Ramnarain Ruia College

22. The Mathrubhumi • The Gandhian Non – Cooperation Movement and the Khilafat Movement had touched off a wave of nationalistic fervour throughout Malabar in the 1920s • The ruthless suppression of the Moplah Rebellion of 1921 had let loose a fear psychosis. Seema Narendran, Ramnarain Ruia College

23. The existing periodicals would not carry anything supportive of the freedom movement • It was then that a group of nationalists planned a new paper to support the movement for freedom • The Mathrubhumi Printing and Publishing Co. was floated and a new paper was launched on March 18, 1923 as a tri –weekly under the editorship of K P Keshava Menon Seema Narendran, Ramnarain Ruia College

24. It soon became a daily and attained popularity and public support • Five rupee shares were sold to raise funds, making the Mathrubhumi the first real people’s paper in Malayalam • The paper was banned by the government when it published a satirical article by Sanjayan, the eminent humorist Seema Narendran, Ramnarain Ruia College

25. The Diwan of Travancore Sir C.P Ramaswamy IYER, banned the entry of Mathrubhumi into this state in 1938. it was only in 1947, after independence that the ban was lifted • The Mathrubhumi today has nine editions in Kerala • The Al Ameen from Kozhikode, edited by Abdul Rahiman Saheb and the Prabhatam from Shornanur, edited by EMS Namboodripad were other staunchly papers of the thirties. Seema Narendran, Ramnarain Ruia College

26. Both hadto suffer fines, harassment and bans • There were also other party papers like the Chandrika of the Muslim League and Deshabhimani and Chinta of the CPI (M) Seema Narendran, Ramnarain Ruia College

27. Telegu Journalism • The earliest Telegu journals were promoted by missionaries and mostly intended for religious purposes • Satya Doota was the first Telegu monthly published from Bellary in 1835 • Printed in Madras it concentrated on spreading the gospel of Christ Seema Narendran, Ramnarain Ruia College

28. Dinavartamani, a weekly came out in 1861 and ceased publication after 7 years • Many Telegu journals were started to counteract the missionary propoganda • Tathya Bodhini, 1864 was one of them • It serialised the Rig Veda with Telegu translations • In 1895, K. Veerasalingam Pantulu, hailed as the father of Telegu journalism started a weekly Vivekavardhani Seema Narendran, Ramnarain Ruia College

29. It was devoted to language reform and education • The first news weekly appeared in Madras in 1885 as a supporter of the National Congress • It flourished for 25 years after which it was converted into a bi – weekly and then a weekly Seema Narendran, Ramnarain Ruia College

30. A powerful instrument of political education was Krishna Patrika, started by the veteran Congress leader Konda Venkatappaiah in Guntur • The Andhra Patrika was born as a weekly in Bombay in 1908 • It was an immediate success and when it was shifted to Madras became the symbol and instrument of national resurgence in the Telegu community Seema Narendran, Ramnarain Ruia College

31. In 1947, a new Telegu daily was launched in Hyderabad by C V Ramoji Rao, the Eenadu • It created a sensation and blazed a new record in circulation for any language daily • It has become a publishing phenomena due to its insistence on professional layout, display and appealing photographs and the use of market surveys and strategies to determine reading habits and readers requirements Seema Narendran, Ramnarain Ruia College