"Explore the rich tapestry of the Malabar region, where centuries of history, culture, and tradition come together.
University of Calicut,
Edapally - Panvel Hwy, Thenhipalam,
Kerala 673635, India
The Kerala Pathrika was the earliest newspaper to be printed in Malayalam in the Kozhikode district. First published on October 19, 1884, it was launched by Chengalathu Kunhirama Menon, a renowned author and journalist from Kerala.
The primary goal of the newspaper was to support India’s freedom movement. Thus, it published news about the injustices and failures of the administration regularly. Later, it became the voice of the Indian National Congress in Malabar.
However, the newspaper did not demand freedom from Britain but only demanded constitutional and administrative reforms like more Indian representation in the legislatures and more powers to legislatures, Indianization of the civil service etc.
Background
Chengalathu Kunhirama Menon, a graduate teacher and writer from Kozhikode, had the idea to start a newspaper when he visited Calcutta in 1884 to attend the conference of the Indian National Association, a forerunner of the Indian National Congress. Many of the editors of the ‘Amrita Bazaar Patrika,’ a Bengali language newspaper published from Kolkata at the time, attended the meeting. The Kerala Pathrika was born from the idea of starting a similar newspaper in Malayalam, which was printed at the Vidyavilasini Press, which was founded by Kalahastiyappa Muthaliyar, a former Munsif of Calicut. Kerala Pathrika was named in the same way as Amrita Bazar Pathrika, which was popular in Kerala as well. Appu Nedungadi and Mr Kannambra Valiya Unni Nair, two prominent Malabarians, contributed financially to the establishment of the newspaper.
The newspaper began as a fortnightly publication. Later, it evolved into a weekly that published regular reports on the British administration’s injustices and failures. Once Kunjirama Menon was even charged a fine of Rs. 51 for publishing an article criticizing the Government.
The Indian National Congress was formed a year later, and the newspaper became the party’s mouthpiece in Malabar. It covered resolutions and addresses by its leaders, along with news on international affairs. It also gave prominence to literature and knowledgeable subjects. Vengayil Kunjiraman Nayar, the newspaper’s editor, wrote short essays in it under the pen name ‘Kesari’.
Witnessing the spirit of the newspaper, it is held that the king of Travancore subscribed for 200 copies for distribution among his officials.
Kunjirama Menon retired from managing the paper in 1910 due to financial struggles, leaving it in his nephew’s hands, Cheriya Kunhirama Menon (popularly known as M.R.K.C.), who was also a famous literary figure who wrote short stories in Malayalam. However, due to other engagements, MRKC could not manage the paper properly. In 1930, the newspaper stopped publishing and resumed publication in 1938. In 1947, the newspaper moved to Cochin for some time. Sanjayan and Koyipalli Parameswara Kurup were some of the other editors of ‘Kerala Patrika’.
