Mangalura Samachara, the first ever Kannada newspaper was published on this day in 1843

Team Udayavani, Jul 1, 2021, 12:54 PM IST

Mangaluru/Mangalura Samachara is the first printed newspaper in the Kannada language. Hermann Mogling, a Basel missionary from Germany settled in Mangaluru and launched the fortnightly. He was the editor of Mangaluru Samachar and is known as the father of Kannada journalism.

Popularly known as Kagad (paper in Kannada), the first issue of Mangaluru Samachar was published on July 1, 1843. It was published every fortnight, on the first and 15th of every month. The publication was stopped in 1844 and the 16th and last issue was published on February 15, 1844.

All the 16 issues were printed from the Basel Mission Litho Press which belonged to Evangelical Mission in Mangalore.

Later the same journal began its publication from Bellary from March 1, 1844 and was known as Kannada Samachara till it stopped in January 1845.

Mangaluru Samachara was priced at one pie. The master head of the newspaper read, “This paper is available for sale in Yajamana Appanna’s house which is opposite to Kotvalara Katte.”

Each issue consisted of a moral story from Panchatantra. Mogling believed that Mangaluru Samachara should only publish the truth and that it should cater to the needs of all sections of the society without compromising. He also mentioned that it shouldn’t give cheap entertainment.

In the last issue of Mangaluru Samachara, Feb 15, 1844, Mogling informed that people from Mangalore, Mysore, Tumkur, Bellary, Shimoga, Hubli, Sirsi, and Honnavara subscribed to the journal and the publication would be printer from Bellary henceforth.

After Kannada Samachara stopped in January 1845, Mogling came up with the Kannada Suvartika, a fortnightly in 1857, after the sepoy mutiny. It lasted for two years.