2. 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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3. 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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4. 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 NewTestament.
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5. 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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6. Dr. Hermann Gundert was a
famousGerman 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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7. Basel Mission Society (BMS) started the first
newspaper in Kerala
June 1847
Herman Gundert was the brain behind this
newspaper
from Illikkunnu nearTellicherry
Known as ‘News of the Kingdom’
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8. Six page monthly
It had 42 issues
Free of cost
It ceased publication in 1850
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10. Known as ‘Dawn of theWest’
Second journal
Started in October 1847 fromTellichery
Publisher : BMS
Contents included natural science,
geography, history etc
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11. 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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13. Treasury of Knowledge
Published in 1848 from CMS press Kottayam
Benchamin Baily played a crucial role in
publishing this newspaper
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14. 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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16. 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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18. Trumpet of theVoice
Started on October 12, 1876 from
Koonamavu
Publishers : ItalianCarmelite Mission
Its first editor: Rev.Fr.Candidus
16 page fortnightly
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19. 1900: thrice a month
1904: weekly
1926: Sathyanadam
1999: ceased publication
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20. Started in 1878
Published by BMS
Contents: articles, essays, stories with moral
content, etc
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21. 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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