Role of Press in Renaissance - Kerala PSC Short Notes & Study Materials

This article provides short notes and study materials for the topic - the role of the press in the renaissance in Kerala covered in Kerala PSC exam syllabus and give answers to frequently asked questions about newspapers & press in Kerala PSC examination.

The article gives complete details (editor, publisher, press etc) of popular Malayalam newspapers such as Rajyasamacharam, Paschimodayam, Njananikshepam, Malayalee, Swadeshabhimani, Vivekodayam, Mithavadi, Swaraj, Malayala Manorama, Bhashaposhini, Mathrubhumi, Kerala Kaumudi, Samadarshi, Kesari, Al-Ameen, Prabhatham, Yukthivadi etc. These newspapers served as a messenger and lifeline for people's support for all the struggles and social revolts in Kerala. This topic is really important for any Kerala PSC exam aspirant because you can expect minimum 3 to 4 questions from this section. You can check recent examination question papers to analyze the significance of this topic.

Newspapers helped in renaissance in KeralaIt is once again the Christian missionaries who started newspapers in Kerala in order to spread religious ideas and promote Christianity. It not only produced a great religious impact but also gave way to other major revolutions. The newspaper Rajyasamacharam, which was started by Dr. Herman Gundert of "Basel Mission" in Thalasseri was the first newspaper in India which gave way to other newspapers and ultimately led to the Renaissance in Kerala. Paschimodayam and Njananikshepam were also some of the early newspapers started in Kerala. Newspapers had a major role in the social renaissance of Kerala. But most of these newspapers got ceased and just became historical remains. This post will unearth those newspapers as it will be helpful for your PSC exam preparations. Satyananda Kahalam was the Malayalam newspaper published by Italian Carmelite Missionaries.

Rajyasamacharam
It was the first newspaper in the Malayalam language published in Kerala. German missionary named Herman Gundert was the publisher of Rajyasamacharam. It was published from Illikkunnu press in Thalasseri in June 1847 and continued till 1850 completing 42 editions. Rajyasamacharam newspaper used cyclostyle for its printing from Nettur which was crafted by D Kanyan Kadu who is a Tamil Christian and all the printing activities were monitored by Basel Mission. Rajyasamacharam was first published as a magazine which has given importance to the promotion of Christianity. The newspaper was published for free and the name of the editor was not mentioned in it. There was another magazine named Malayala Panchangam which was published before Rajyasamacharam from lithographic printing press of Illikkunnu by Dr. Herman Gundert. However, Rajayasamacharam is considered as the first Malayalam newspaper.

Paschimodayam 
Paschimodayam was the second newspaper published in Malayalam. Dr. Herman Gundert is again the publisher of this newspaper from Illikkunnu Bangalow of Thalassery in October 1847. Publishing of this newspaper continued until August 1851. John Frederic Muller, who was the disciple of Dr. Herman Gundert was the editor of Paschimodayam. Unlike Rajyasamacharam which promoted Christianity, Paschimodayam given priority to promote scientific knowledge and general awareness. So Paschimodayam is also known as the first science magazine in Kerala. The newspaper also discussed topics related to astrology, geography etc. The cost of the newspaper was 2 Paisa for an edition. The books of Dr. Herman Gundert named Kerala Pazhama & Keralolpathi was first published in Paschimodayam.

Njananikshepam 
Njananikshepam was the third newspaper published in Kerala and the first newspaper published in Travancore constituency. It was published in November 1847 from CMS press in Kottayam. It was the first newspaper in Kerala which started printing from a printing press (Achukoodam). Rev. George Maathan & Arch Decan Koshi were the prominent personalities who took the leadership of this newspaper. It was the first newspaper in Kerala which started giving news with images. The work of Arch Decan Koshi named "Pulleli Kunju Kandasha" was published in Njananikshepam. The newspaper promoted Christianity and also included general happenings in the society.

Best Study Material for Renaissance in Kerala
for PSC Exams
Mithavadi 
Mithavadi newspaper was established by T. Sivashankar who was a merchant in Thalasseri. It got its name when Gopal Krishna Ghokale announced nation rulers as terrorists at the Congress session in 1905. In 1906, Mithavadi newspaper was published under the leadership of Moorkothu Kumaran from Thalasseri. Moorkothu Kumaran was the first person who prepared the biography of Sree Narayana guru and laid the first statue of Guru in Kerala."Veenapoovu", the poem of the famous poet Kumaranasan was first published in Mithavadi newspaper in 1907. In 1913 when Moorkothu Kumaran left the leadership, C.Krishnan took the complete leadership of the newspaper. And he republished it as a magazine named "Mithavadyarude Vaka" from Kozhikode. After that C Krishnan took charge of the newspaper and came to be known as Mithaavadi Krishnan. Mithavadi is also called as "Bible of Thiyyas" and "Bible of the downtrodden". It is the first Malayalam newspaper which gave support to Russian revolution in 1917.

Malayalee                                                                            
"Malayali social reform" Organisation was formed due to the protest against the government because the employees from Kerala were not considered in governmental jobs. It was formed under the leadership of C. Krishnapillai and P. Thaanupillai. Later it came to be known as ''Malayali Sabha''. ''Malayalee'' was the mouthpiece (which means "Mukhapathram" in Malayalam) of the Sabha. "Malayalee" was the first regional news paper in Kerala. The first issue of the ''Malayalee'' was published in Thiruvananthapuram in 1886. Most of the writings in the newspaper was by C.V. Raman Pillai. After that, he takes the ownership of the newspaper. The Malayali memorial that formed in 1891 was promoted by "Malayalee" newspaper. A slogan was formed as a part of this memorial called "Travancore for Travancorians" become famous through this newspaper. Swadeshabhimani Ramakrishna Pillai wrote his writings firstly in "Malayalee" through his pen name 'Keralan'. This increased the promotion of "Malayalee" newspaper among Keralites. When the publishing was shifted from Thiruvananthapuram to Changanassery  "Malayalee" was published only for a few days.

Vivekodayam
"Vivekodayam" was started as a mouthpiece of  SNDP Yogam. It was published on 1904 from Thiruvananthapuram. "Kumaranashan", who was the secretary of SNDP was the editor of Vivekodayam and given its name as a token of respect to Swami Vivekananda. He took charge as the editor of the newspaper only after M Govindan. The main topics discussed were, ' tradition about forefathers and ancient families', 'biographies of legends in the society' etc. The involvement of Vivekodayam in encouraging low cast people were really appreciable. Vivekodayam was known as "Ezhava Gazette". Kumaaranashan criticized Vallathol's "Chithrayogam'', Ulloor's ''Umakeralam''and Panthalam Kerala Varma's ''Rugmamgathacharitham''in Vivekodayam. Aashan argued that these works are done by the influence of the Sanskrit works.

Deepika
Nasrani Deepika newspaper was published on 1887 April in Mannanam in Kottayam under the editorship of Nidheerikkal Mani Kathanar. The main aim of this newspaper is for the social and cultural upliftment of Christians. However, they also addressed the social and political challenges faced by the people of Travancore. Nasrani Deepika was changed to a daily newspaper in 1927. Publishing of Nasrani Deepika newspaper shifted from Mananam to Kottayam in 1938 and it is renamed simply as "Deepika". Deepika is the oldest newspaper that is circulating in Kerala. It is the first newspaper in Kerala that started internet edition.

Swadeshabhimani 
Vakkom Abdul Khader Moulavi was the founder of this newspaper. It was started in 19th January 1905 from Anjuthengu. C P Govindapilla was the first editor of Swadeshabhimani. But the publishing was shifted to Vakkom under the editorship of K Ramakrishnapilla in 1906. In 1907, press and the paper were shifted to Thiruvananthapuram. Swadeshabhimani newspaper criticized the British empire. The newspaper under the leadership of K Ramakrishnapilla stood for democracy and human rights. His brave and valuable contribution to this newspaper made him popular and was known to be Swadeshabhimani Ramakrishna Pillai. On the other hand, the newspaper badly criticized the Diwan of Travancore P Rajagopalachari and ultimately led to the ban of Swadeshabhimani. Moreover, K Ramakrishnapilla was exiled to Thirunelveli. Swadeshabhimani was the first newspaper from India which had a connection with popular British broadcasting agency known as Reuters.

Samadarshi 
Samadarshi newspaper was started under the leadership of Kulakkunnath Ramamenon in 1918. Kunnath Janardhanamenon was the first editor of Samadarshi. It was started in the form of a weekly magazine. Samardarshi strongly criticized the political upheavals during its period. In 1922, A Balakrishnapilla took charge as the editor. A Balakrishnapilla was popularly known as Kesari Balakrishnapilla. Samarshi newspaper gave strong support to Vaikkom Satyagraha. E M Watts, Travancore Diwan tried to suppress this newspaper and introduced a newspaper law known as 5th regulation. All these events forced A Balakrishnapilla to quit the editorship of Samadarshi.

Al Ameen 
This newspaper was started in October 1924 by Muhammed Abdul Khader who is popularly known as Kerala Subhash Chandra Boss. The publishing of Al Ameen newspaper started from Kozhikode. Al Ameen is an Arabic word which means faithful person. This newspaper not only strengthened the national freedom movement but also enlightened the Muslim community in terms of nationalism. However, Al Ameen faced criticism from both orthodox Muslim community and government as well. In 1930, an editorial titled "Congressum Yudhavum" against the war ideas of Britain led to the ban of the newspaper. But after India got independence, the newspaper started re-publishing from Kozhikode with the help of followers of Muhammed Abdul Khader.

Prabhatham 
Prabhatham newspaper was the mouthpiece of Kerala Committee - Congress Socialist party. It was started as a weekly from Shornur in 1934. EMS Namboothirippad was the publisher and Ramachandran Nedungadi was the manager of Prabhatham. It was the first socialist newspaper which promoted socialist ideologies and supported the establishment of peasant labor unions and student-teacher associations. The license for publishing this newspaper got banned by Madras government due to an article (poem) written by Chovvara Parameshwaran in relation with the death sentence of Bhagath Singh and his fellow men. However, in 1938, license to restart Prabhatham from Kozhikode was offered. But the newspaper didn't last for long.

Kerala Kaumudi
Kerala Kaumudi was started due to the suppression of Sujananandini newspaper started by Paravoor Kesavanasan. Kaumudi newspaper was first published in 1911 from Mayyanad (Kollam district). C V Kunjiraman and Muloor Padmanabhapanicker were the two main figures behind the start of this newspaper. C V Kunjiraman was the editor. From 1940 onward, Kerala Kaumudi becomes a daily newspaper which is still circulating in Kerala. Kadhamalika and Navajeevan magazine was also published under the leadership of C V Kunjiraman.

Bhashaposhini 
An association named Kavi Samajam was formed under the leadership of Kandathil Varghese Mappila in Kottayam with Kerala Varma Valiyakoyi Thamburan as the president. This was the first literary association started in Kerala. Later, Kavi Samajam was renamed as Bhashaposhini Sabha and Bhashaposhini magazine became the mouthpiece of Bhashaposhini Sabha. It was started in 1898 under the leadership of Kandathil Varghese Mappila. "Vidyadhanam Sarvadhanal Pradhanam" was the title of Bhashaposhini magazine.

Mathrubhumi 
This newspaper was published from Kozhikode under the leadership of K P Kesava Menon on 18th March 1923. It was introduced to strengthen the activities of the Congress in Kerala and to promote national freedom movement. The main figures behind the start of Mathrubhumi newspaper were K Madhavan Nair, K P Kesava Menon, Kuroor Neelakandan Namboothirippad, K Kelappan etc. K Madhavan Nair was the first managing director of Mathrubhumi newspaper. K P Kesava Menon was the first editor of Mathrubhumi and Kuroor Neelakandan Namboothirippad was the first publisher. In 13th January 1934, Gandhiji visited Mathrubhumi. The newspaper has given a great support to the freedom struggle and renaissance in Kerala.

Malayala Manorama 
It was the newspaper started by Manorama company in Kottayam under the leadership of Kandathil Varghese Mappila in 1888. The first edition of the newspaper was published on 22nd March 1890. It is the largest circulating newspaper presently in Kerala.

Yukthivadi 
This newspaper was started in 1929 from Ernakulam under the leadership of Sahodaran Ayyappan. Yukthivadi is published from the same printing press of Sahodaran newspaper. It was one of the first atheist or rationalist newspaper in Kerala. It started publishing in 1931 from Iringalakkuda, M C Joseph being the editor.

Kesari 
The man behind Kesari newspaper was A Balakrishnapilla popularly known as Kesari Balakrishnapilla. He was one of the great journalists Kerala had ever seen apart from Swadeshabhimani Ramakrishna Pillai. Kesari newspaper started in September 1930 from Thiruvananthapuram. This newspaper was a critic of the rule and politics of Kochi and Travancore kingdom. The famous 'Muppelpu Prasangam' by Sri Chithira Thirunnal Balaramavarma was published as a cover article in Kesari. The newspaper also strongly supported "Abstention Movement". Apart from political and governance issues, Kesari newspaper also covered topics related to art and literature. It was one of the newspaper which introduced the western literature familiar to people of Kerala.

Note:
  • Chengulathu Kunjirama Menon is called as the "father of Malayalam journalism".
  • Santishtavadi was the first banned newspaper in Kerala.


Note: This article has only provided you with some introductory facts related to Kerala Renaissance/Kerala History. If you want more detailed and PSC exam oriented Kerala Renaissance contents (including contents in this article in PDF format), you can avail an eBook (click here>>)


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Comments

  1. Excellent work, very helpful to those who are preparing for competitive exams unlike others who are only interested in covering the superficial facts of a topic ...You guys are getting into the core of the topic. .Keep up the good work

    ReplyDelete
  2. Plz post about swaraj newspaper

    ReplyDelete

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