Early Journals of Kerala
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. 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.
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. 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.It was here that Gundert made history in June 1847, by launching Rajyasamacharam, the first newspaper in Malayalam. It had eight cyclostyled sheets in demy octave. Reading matter was spread across the pages without columns and cross heads to break the monotony. Neither the masthead nor the print line featured the Editor’s name. The reading matter was exclusively of religious nature. By the time it ceased
publication in late 1850, forty-two issues had seen the light of the day.
In October 1847 Gundart stated another publication called Paschimodayam.Like its predecessor the Paschimodayam, too, was cyclostyled, but it carried articles on geography, history, natural science and even astrology.It had a formal editor in F.Muller.The annual subscription was one rupee. There was even a change in size and format - the Paschimodayam appeared in royal octavo garb. It would seem to have ceased publication around mid-1851.
The scene now shifts to central Travancore from where early in 1848; the first printed magazine in the Malayalam language - the Jnananikshepam - hit the news stands. This eight-page magazine was printed at the C.M.S. Press operating from Kottayam way back in 1821. Arch Deacon Koshy and the Reverend George Mathen were behind this new publication which served alike the cause of propagation of religion and the dissemination of knowledge. Obviously as a result of this diversification of the reading fare it was well-circulated among the Christian, Hindu and Muslim communities.
Another periodical, Kottayam-based, made its appearance around this time. It was the Vidyasamgraham brought out under the auspices of the Kottayam College.Vidyasamgraham or Kottayam College Quarterly Magazine was started by Chruch Mission Society (CMS) College in 1864 from Kottayam. CMS College principal, Richard Collins, and Rev. George Mathan were the key figures behind this publication. This quarterly had a variety of articles in English and Malayalam written by scholars. It ceased publication in 1867.
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