Page 51 - VMFT News Letter _Ajeesh_New Design_26.03.2020_Copy Revised

Vakkom Muhammad Abdul Khader Moulavi

(1873-1932)

A visionary social reformer and educationist, a prolific writer and fearless journalist, a noted scholar
and linguist and, above all a patriot, Vakkom Muhammad Abdul Khader Moulavi (1873-1932) occupies
a unique place in the modern history of Kerala.
Vakkom Moulavi was a product of the Indian renaissance of the early 20th century which produced
many great people in all fields. He commenced his literary work with the publication of the Malayalam
journal ‘Swadeshabhimani’ (Patriot) in 1905, just over half a century after the suppression of the First
War of Indian Independence. At a time when there was not a single Malayalam journal with such a
provocative name and avowedly nationalist outlook, the publication of ‘Swadehsbhimani’ reflected the
all -round awakening of the people of Kerala.
The first issue of the journal (19 January 1905) proclaimed as its policy that “our objective is the
welfare of the people and we will always bring to light the grievances of the people whatever may be
the consequences”. Together with his editor, Ramakrishna Pillai, who joined the journal one year after
it began publication, Vakkom Moulavi continued his struggle for the rights of the people and came
to symbolize the national aspirations of the common man. The journal had to cease publication in
1910 when the ‘Swadeshabhimani’ press was confiscated and the editor exiled, but in its brief life, it
had succeeded in setting a progressive trend in journalism. Vakkom Moulavi continued his activities
through a series of other publications and books, striving to build an egalitarian society sacrificing his
entire wealth in the process.

51
VMFT NEWSLETTER JANUARY-MARCH 2020