Tamil journalism

HISTORY OF TAMIL JOURNALS (19th century): Dr. A. Ma. Samy; Navamani Pathippagam, 12, Second Main Road, CIT Colony, Chennai- 600004. Rs. 300.

CONTRARY TO the popular perception that the first ever Indian language periodical was the Bengal Gazette of Gangadhar Bhattacharya in Bengali, Tamil journalist and author A. Ma. Samy seeks to establish that the first ever Indian language publication was Maasa Dina Sarithai (Monthly Chronicle of Daily Events) by Gnanaprakasam. While the former was born in 1816 the aforesaid Tamil publication predated it by four years. As per the custom of those days, Gnanaprakasam played the twin role of editor and printer.

Taking the British Empire as one region, the credit for the first ever Tamil publication of the composite Tamil speaking region should be assigned to Arasaanga Varthamaani - the Government Gazette of Ceylon. This appeared in 1802.

The French-held Pondicherry came out with its own Government Gazette in 1823. This was followed by Sujana Ranjani of 1829 and Tamil Magazine of 1831. A discerning reader is in for a number of gleanings into the past. The book carries a number of facsimile illustrations to support the claims of the author.

Starting with G. Subramania Iyer, founder of TheHindu, and Swadesamitran, the book carries in its closing section pictures of the pioneers of print media in Tamil Nadu and elsewhere. The author has also provided a comprehensive index at the end, which will be of use to researchers.

R. NATARAJAN

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