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Transcription

1 ft ~ \ Chapter I Christian Missionaries and Journalism...

2 Chapter I Christian Missionaries and Journalism 1.1 Introduction Christianity in India is traceable to the Apostolic Age. Christian tradition in India links the coming of Christianity to St Thomas the Apostle In Malabar the important community of Indian Christians, known as Syrian Christians, kept the lamp of Christianity burning from the first to the 20th century. They still preserve communion with Rome.1 Also the merchandise business brought many foreigners to Indian cities especially in the coastal areas. The Portuguese brought Latin Christianity to India. First Franciscan friars showed the way. The preachings of St Francis Xavier, the most illustrious of the Jesuit missionaries, brought whole communities on the west and east coasts mto the fold of Christianity2 The Society of Jesus or the Jesuits were the first to enter Karnataka in 17th century. Leonardo Cinnami ( ), a Jesuit Priest was the pioneer missionary who came to Karnataka. The work of evangelization in the territories of the Rajah of Mysore was started by Leonardo Cinnami, an Italian Jesuit belonging to the Province of Goa. He had worked four years in Kanara but without any success because the people considered him to be a paranghi (a foreigner). Hence decided, with the permission of the Provincial, to put on the robes of a Sanyasi and go inland into the Mysore territory, where he was not known. The King of Mysore at that time, Narasa Raja Wodeyar was an enemy of all violence, injustice and robbery, a friend and generous patron of learned and holy men3. It goes to prove that Cinnami was warmly welcomed by the Raja of Mysore and allowed to practice his religion in the Mysore region. After the demise of Cinnami, the Jesuits continued missionary work in Mangalore and Bangalore. The suppression of the Jesuits by the Portuguese government in 1760, then by the French in 1764 and finally by the Pope Clement XTV in 1776 was a true disaster for the Christianity m South India in general and even more so in the Mysore4 4

3 In the gap left by the eclipse of the Jesuit missions there came Protestant missionaries. The East India Company banned their entry with suspicion and distrust, lest the result of their preaching might interfere with the even tenor of its trade and commerce 5 The French, Dutch, Portuguese and British settlements in India brought in missionaries for the purpose of education and the spread of their faith. In the eyes of the Indian nationalists the Christian missionaries, Catholics, Protestants and all nationalities of Europe were adjuncts of the colonial state in India. The traders of East India Company during the colonial rule were of course under the British Crown. After 1858, almost all missionaries appeared to identify very strongly with India. While conversion did represent the primary objective of their work in this country, it was invariably accompanied by sincere and often heroic attempts to practice the Gospel of work Education, social welfare, printing, public service, represented various facets of the missionary endeavour. The 18th century belonged to the German Evangelical mission of Basel, which was established at Mangalore in John Christopher Lehner, Leonard Greiner and Samuel Hebich were the pioneering missionaries of this Protestant sect. So too London Missionaries at Bellary, Wesleyan Methodist Missionaries at Bangalore and Mysore, Catholic Jesuit Missionaries at Bangalore and Mangalore took up the apostolate of printing, education and propagation of Christianity in Karnataka. The first Protestant missionary, John Hands, an Englishman, landed at Bellary in 1810, opening the way for members of the Wesleyan missionary Society in 1820 and the German mission, popularly called the Basel Mission, in Their approach was not merely to convert, points outhavanur6 their aim was three fold; Education, the translation of the Bible mto regional languages and printing. The Basel Mission began work m the Hubli-Dharwad region, with its headquarters at Mangalore. It first established schools and later a printing press, in One of the mission s leading lights, Herrmann Moeglmg, came to Mangalore in 1836 and is 5

4 credited with printing and publishing the first Kannada journal Mangaloora Samachara, a four-page fortnightly touching on local, national and international issues. He collected 3,000 Kannaada epigrams and did seminal work in script simplification7 The Christian Missionaries who came to India with the sole objective of propagatmg their faith, found communication as the primary obstacle. Hence, they started mastering the native language and imparting education to the local population without caste or class distinction The missionaries left their own motherland and undertook arduous and perilous journeys, to distant lands including India. They are not riff raffs and rejects of European umversities but brilliant young men who could have easily carved out a lucrative and brilliant professional career m their own homeland. Whatever there is of value in Indian literature and journalism today is generally admitted to have been virtually non-existent at the end of the eighteenth century. The most important factor in its growth m the earlier part of the nineteenth century was the contribution of Christian missionaries The Mission7 and Missionary7 Defined The term missionaiy stems from the Latin word Mittere, meaning to send7. It can be interpreted in various ways. It has a creedal dimension in Jesus mandate to his disciples to go and preach his good news to all and sundry. As such Christians consider it, in a way a mandate of their religion.9 The one of the key words in the Bible is send10 (mittere, mission Ecclesiae, mission), Moses (cf Ex 3:15), Gideon (cf. Jdg 6:4), the Prophets (cf. 2Chr 24:19; Jer 7 25; Is 6 8f, etc ) felt they were sent by God. Is 61:1 understands the anointed of God (Messiah) as one sent by God to proclaim the good news to the poor Jesus said he was sent by the Father, in his inaugural speech in Nazareth (cf. Lk 4T 8), he applies Is 61:1 to himself and in so doing puts his life at risk. 6

5 In the Old Testament, in general terms, mission involves the sending of a representative of a deity for the purpose of presenting a message or performing a task 11. Thus many of the important personalities of the Old Testament could be said to have participated in the mission. The prophets and other charismatic leaders of Israel especially recognized that God sent them with a specific purpose which was communicated to in sent. In more specific terms, mission includes all those activities of a religious community dedicated to spreading its faith to others. This necessitates crossing of political, cultural, lmguistic and religious frontiers. John s Gospel is full of send* words Jesus is the son of God sent by the Father, this legitimizes his mission (cf Jn 10*3); therefore, he can solemnly assert: As the Father sent me, so am I sending you (Jn 20:21). He sent the twelve like sheep among wolves and places he himself would visit (cf Lk 10.1). His own mission in the world is the basis for the mission of the disciples (cf. Jn 17.18).One can say that all the salvific activity of the Church has to do with being sent and sending 12 In a restricted sense, a missionary was someone who went to Non-Chnstian people to announce this good news. Once Christians emerged as a distinctive community in India, priests worked within the communities and some of them worked primarily among the non-christians. In a strict sense only the latter can be called missionaries. However, while working within their communities, Christians specially the clergy attempted to reach out to non-christians as well. So all of them in a broad sense come under the term missionaries. Further the good news as Christians understand it is not something given but constantly reached out to in terms of the inexhaustible goodness of God Hence the primary attributes of the universal Church is being missionary, which the Nicean creed respects. 1.3 The contribution of Christian Missionaries to Journalism in India The development of journalism m India is one of the benefits reaped on account of 7

6 Western influence. This involves the activities of Christian missionaries who were active in many parts of India particularly in Karnataka. The missionaries were the pioneers of language Journalism starting from West Bengal. At Serampore, the Baptist Missionaries namely William Carey who knew Bengali, Sanskrit, Hindi, Persian, English and many other languages became the first editor of the Friend of India Thejoumal began as a monthly in April 1817and later became a weekly. The printing of the Friend of India was in the able hands of William Ward, a professional printer and a known evangelist. Though missionaries founded it, it was by no means solely religious in content or outlook... The paper was consistent in its expression of mdependent opinions fearlessly.13 J C Marshman, another missionary of the Serampore Mission was the first to start a monthly m Bengali language called DigDarshan in The magazine made a tremendous appeal within four months of its appearance. It soon became a weekly, changing its name to SamacharDarpan Indian and foreign news of importance was published m it. In 1829 it became a bilingual newspaper. English news was printed parallel to Bengali versions of news and views.14 The first Tamil magazine was the monthly, TamilPatrika. The Religious Tract Society published it in It was the first successful attempt in Tamil Journalism. It ceased its publication in The next journal was Same Snehan, which appeared in Later to follow was the Rajavritti Bodhini issued in 1855, giving news translated from imported e nglish newspapers. Its contemporary was the weekly, Dinavarthamani, a journal of general intelligence edited by P Percival and published by the Dravidian Press. Jana Vinodini15 was a British sponsored newspaper. It gave importance to literary and educational matters than to news items. It made history by publishing Ramayana in serial form for the first time in print. The first j oumal in Telugu was Satyodaya, which appeared in It was printed at Madras and published by the Christian Association m Bellary. It was a monthly devoted 8

7 to religious propaganda. In Kerala the year 1840 saw the first newspaper in Malayalam namely, the VignyanaNikshepam)6 The American Mission started from Ahmednagar, a Marathi journal entitled the Dnyanodaya. Begun as a monthly and later became a fortnightly and from 1873 appeared as a weekly. It was a bilingual paper and Henry Ballentine was the chief editor. In Karnataka the Basel Missionaries of Germany began the first Kannada newspaper entitled Mangaloora Samachara in It was a fortnightly of four pages news that was edited by Fredric Hermann Moegling. The missionaries were promoters of language journalism by starting the first periodicals in Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada and other languages too. Till the arrival of the missionaries the elite class of India had kept knowledge as secret property. The missionaries ventured into the establishment of printing presses, launching of periodicals and took up the translation of Indian classics into other Indian languages and thus kept the floodgates of knowledge open to Indian minds. Journalism in Karnataka Karnataka is the only state where there are many heterogeneous linguistic regions. Maharastra surrounds the state in the north, Andhra in the east, Tamil Nadu and Kerala in the south. During the pre-independent days these regions were called, as Bombay- Kamataka where Marathi language was dominant, Madras-Kamataka where Tamil was dominant and Kasargod Karnataka where Malayalam was dominant. Though Kannada was the mother tongue of the people of these regions, the languages of these regions dominated culturally and linguistically by the neighbouring states. Mysore was the seat of Kannada Journalism where it flourished under the patronage of the Maharajas, Diwans and the prolific writers of Kannada Diwan Rangacharlu was looked upon as the Founder of modem Mysore. He desired to have a local government for Mysore on the lines of England and make Mysore a model state for

8 all the states in India. He realized that Mysore required good leaders. In his opinion M Venkatakrishnaiah was of such caliber.17 With the blessings of the Mysore Wodeyars and the Diwan, Venkatakrishnaiah started a Kannada weekly called Vrittanta Chintamani in The policy of the paper was to express feelings and opinions without fear or favour. The year was significant as it was the year of the birth of the Indian National Congress. There were two reasons for the multiplication of Kannada newspapers m the state of Mysore. One was the transfer of the Mysore administration into the hands of the Wodeyars by the British in 1881, and the other was the establishment of the Indian National Congress The Suryodaya Prakasika, a Kannada daily( 1888), the Vrittanta Patrike a Kannada weekly (1887), the Mysore Star an English weekly (1900); Kannada journals like, the Karnataka Kesari ( 1888), the Savinudi ( 1900), the Vokkaligara Patrike (1907), and thearthasadhaka Patrike (1914) were the prominent publications of then time. Venkatakrishnaiah believed that Journalistic profession was an honest profession. To spread the democratic ideals he started a number of Kannada as well as English periodicals. They were the Hitabodhini, the Vedantha Chintamani, the Sampadadhbhyudaya, the Sadhvi, the Powra Samajika Patrike, the Mysore Patriot, the Wealth of Mysore, the Nature Cure, and the Mysore Herald All of them had wide circulation. He was rightly called as the Father of Kannada Journalism The former five separate administrative units, viz. Bombay, Madras, Mysore, Hyderabad and Coorg were merged into one political unit on Nov 1,1956, forming a new State of Mysore which was re-christened as Karnataka State in 1973V8 But socially, culturally and linguistically, die people of these administrative units have brought in their own influence on Kannadigas who belonged to these units. This is reflected m the daily newspapers and the periodicals that are published in the state. Naturally the press in Karnataka is pluralistic in nature. 10

9 D V Gundappa, another great personality m Kannada Journalism had the knowledge of several languages like Kannada, Sanskrit,Tamil, Telugu and English that enabled him to know much about the politics, literature and art of Karnataka. He started a Kannada daily, the Samachara Sangraha in 1907 A Kannada weekly Karnataka appeared in He was the bold critic of government and its policies. He gave constructive suggestions to the government and enlightened the people about the glory of Karnataka. Observing the growing needs of the people for administrative training, he started the Gokhale Institute of Public Affairs and to give expression to its ideals he started a monthly bi-lingual, the Pubic Affairs*.19 He wrote several books in Kannada such as Shithya Vignana Mathu Jeevana Soundary a, Mankuthimmana Kagga, Omar Khayyam, Rajyashastra, Anthapura Geethagalu, Gopala Krishna Gokhale, Dewan Rangacharlu and Swami Ramasastri. M Viswesvariah and Mirza Ismail, the Diwans encouraged Journalism, free press and the value of educating the masses After World War 1, the Vishwakarnataka appeared in 1921 as a daily and weekly by T T Sharma till 1956 Tainadu appeared m Janavani highlighted the national ideals. The Prajamatha in 1931 enjoyed the reputation for being a good journal. In parts of Bombay-Kamataka the dailies like Subuddhi Prakash of 1849, the Hitechhu of 1870, the Vijaya, the Rajahamsa and the Karnataka of 1880 are of significance.20 Though there were doyens like Moharay Hanumantha Rao of Sarny ukta Karnataka, P R Ramaiah of Tainadu, Ramachandra Rao of Prajavani, T R Shamanna of Kannada Prabha, to name a few, the circulation of many newspapers and periodicals were not encouraging. Journalism in the Kannada language developed early in Mysore and Bombay - Karnataka, but the seeds of Journalism had been sown earlier in the two districts of 11

10 Bellaiy and Mangalore, which were then part of the Presidency of Madras. The German Missionaries in these areas started Kannada journals in order to propagate their religion. They also arranged for the casting of Kannada types by sending Kannadigas to Germany to learn printing processes.21 Journalism in Karnataka as elsewhere was first used for ventilating personal and local grievances. The first newspaper in Mysore state was The Bangalore Herald edited by one James in There was an Anglo Kannada paper called Mysore Vrittanta Bodhini, edited by Bhashyachari and of course the famous Arunodaya, an Anglo Kannada paper published in 1862, under the editorship of B H Rice. The Karnataka Prakasika when published from Bangalore since 1865 had political bias against non- Mysoreans infiltrating into the state. It stopped its publication in Suryodaya Prakashika was the first Kannada daily that appeared in 1888 and gave an impetus, to the buildmg up of public opinion. B Ranga Rao was the founder editor of the same. The Vrittanta Patrike of Mysore was a weekly brought out by the Wesleyan Missionareies of Mysore in Henry Hague was its editor. It had a long run up to 1942, and had built up a clientele, which respected its opinion. Most widely circulated Kannada daily today is Prajavani started in 1948 as a sister publication of the Deccan Herald, B Puttaswamiaiah was its editor. A weekly named Sudha, published by this group is also popular. N S Sitarama as its editor brought out the Kannada Prabha m Other newspapers, which have earned a name after 1980 are Lokavani, Bangalore 1974, Vishala Karnataka, Hubli 1947,Janamitra, Chickmagalure 1969, and Nadoja, Belgaum An influential weekly m Hubli today is Prapancha started in 1954 by Patil Puttappa who is also its editor. 12

11 There was no Kannada daily in Mangalore until 1941 although it was the birthplace of number of weeklies, as many as ten at one tune2 2. The daily Navabharatha, which appeared in 1941 under the editorship of U S Kudva, is now defunct. The Udayavani of Manipal (1970) and its sister publication Taranga (1983) illustrated weekly, are also popular. Jana Vahini (1997) was owned and managed by the Catholics ofdakshina Kannada. It lived only for five years and set a tone for healthy journalism. Vijaya Karnataka and Vijaya Times are the recent entrants on the journalistic scene; they seem to have come to stay. According to the report submitted by the Registrar of Newspapers for the year the total number of registered newspapers/ periodicals was 58,469 as on March There were 6,287 dailies, 361 tri/bi weeklies, 20,329 weeklies, 7,694 fortnightlies, 17,124 monthlies, 4101 quarterlies 541 annuals and 2032 of other periodicity. Delhi had the distinction of publishing newspapers in 11 principal languages. Maharastra came next with publications in 10 out of 18 principal languages followed by Kerala and Karnataka Review of literature: Hermann Moegling is the biography of Herrmann Frederick' Moegling authored by Hermann Gundert and published m It provides useful insight mto the history and work of the early Basel Missionaries in India. An avid reader is awe struck to find the missionary adventure of Moegling in the inclement weather of Mangalore and Coorg in Karnataka. Albrecht Frenz edited the same biography m 1997, with supplementary Articles, Illustrations and Pictures, which was Printed m India. Hosagannadada Arunodaya by SrmivasaHavanur (1974), is an authoritative work m which he dissects and draws valuable conclusions as well as a reader is inspired to make further study on the archival material yet unearthed. He makes the first evercomprehensive study on the literary and journalistic contribution of the Missionaries 13

12 in Karnataka. Havanur produces the much needed evidence to confirm 1843 as the exact year of the publication of the first Kannada newspaper the Mangaloora Samachara when other researchers write it as 1812 or 1840 or 1842 for which no proof was available. B S Kesavan, (1988), Printing and Publishing in India, whose solid three volumes are parallel to none with the slightest minute information on the subject. The illustrations and pictures are also of great value. B S Kesavan and Havanur are household names with regard to Printing Presses and Publishing activity of the missionaries in Karnataka. Murthy, Nadig Krishna (1988), Indian Journalism is an erudite and objective study of the vast and vital history of the Indian Press which has made a special study of the subject, vividly unfolding the movmg story of the Indian newspapers and Periodicals. He has also profiled promment journals and journalists. The book is highly informative and of great value to the students of Journalism. He has not touched upon the Konkani/ Kodava or for that matter a few Indian languages that have found a pride of place in the viii schedule of our constitution. Kittelara Jeevana Hague Saadhane edited by G M Hegde, throws light on the mission and literary works of Kittel. This book is the compilation of articles and lectures delivered at the occasion of the Silver Jubilee of the Kittel Arts College and Kittel Science College, Dharwad. It was published m F Kittel Ondu Samagra Adhyayana is published by the Kittel Arts College, Dharwad. It is a Doctorate thesis of K M Matthew. It delves into the literary personality of Kittel and his contribution to Kannada literature. Ferdinand Kittel Jeevana Sadhane-Kosha Rachane authored by William Madtha is a well-analysed study and complement on the works of Kittel especially of his famous Kannada Dictionary. 14

13 Kannada Dharmika Sahithyakke Kraista Missionarigala Koduge (1996), by Edward Noronha, chronologically traces the contribution of Catholics to Kannada literature. He has succeeded in explaining the theological terms and aspects used in the religious writings of the Catholics to a common man s understanding. He is the first one to give such solid explanations that other Kannada writers could derive benefit from it. Samuel Hebich of India Master Fisher of Men by George N Thomson, Published in 1915 is apeep mto the mission and activities of the Basel Missionaries in Karnataka. The Basel Mission in South Canara, a Doctoral Thesis of Peter Wilson Prabhakar (1988), is a source material for the origin of Missionaries in Karnataka and thencontribution to industry like Tile Factory, Printing Press, Education, Health and Evangelisation. It is a holistic approach to the Basel Mission in Karnataka. Though he has made a mention of few periodicals of the Basel Mission, it is only a general view. Ecumenical Corporation of Missions in Karnataka, A Historical Analysis of the Evangelical Strategy of the Missions , of Vijay Kumar is also a Doctoral Thesis in which he explains the Pastoral role of the missionaries in different parts of Karnataka. Depiction of different sects of missionaries and their role in evangelization is vividly presented. Kannada Samagama (1999) is a collection of papers presented at the seminar organisd by the Shanthi Sadana Research Centre and Centre for Kannada Studies, Bangalore University, Bangalore. B S Talwadi has edited it. Kannada Samagama provides enormous information on the origin and development of Kannada Journalism along with Kannada Religious Journalism practiced by various Christian Missionary groups in Karnataka. Kannadakke Missionariga Koduge (2003) is an in depth study made on Kannada literature, Dictionaries, Textbooks, Religious books and Music composition of the Basel missionaries by Nandihal, Geetha. It supplies information on individual 15

14 missionaries, their love for learning a foreign language to an extent of mastering it leaving an indelible mark by their creations. Talwadi B S, in his Kannadakke Dudida Videshiyaru (2005) gives in summary a story of foreign missionaries and other British officials who toiled for Kannada. Nagaraj K V gives an insight into Kannada Journalism from its inception till 1980s in his Doctoral Thesis History of Kannada Journalism: an analytical study (1987). A chapter on History of Kannada Journalism from m it presents a broad picture of the eventful struggle of the pioneers in different parts of the region that is now called Karnataka. From the Kannada Samachara of the Missionaries to the Samyukta Karnataka, and the Prajavani of freedom loving Gandhian, Socialist or independent editors, describes several ordeals that the Kannada press has passed through and survived the hostile atmosphere that prevailed during the colonial and autocratic regimes The Apostles of India (1915) by Ogilvie J N presents the evolution of Indian Missionary enterprise as one whole- ancient, mediaeval and modem apostles being given each their place. In the latter chapters, by givmg typical extracts from the actual words of the apostolic workers, he has let the personal note be heard and a direct impression conveyed. Pnolkar A K in his Printing Press in India (1958) gives authentic sources of printing in India since the time of the entry of missionaries. His book is more reliable as he knew Portuguese, French, Marathi, Konkani and few other languages. The early history of printing in India, the first books printed in Goa and else where in the country, the history of Konkani language find place in his book C B Firth in his Introduction to Indian History (1961) explains the arrival of different groups of missionaries to India with a particular mission to evangelize with their ideology and struggles to survive in an ahen land. He covers almost 200 years of the history of missionaries in India with his microscopic eye mto it. 16

15 Muthanna, IM, (1977) in his book on Literary Renaissance in Karnataka, has given information on printing presses in different parts of Karnataka. In his presentation of dates and facts, though there appear few flaws, yet it acts as a tool to point to the sources. The facts and views presented are of much value to the researchers. His Hathombathaneya Shathamanadalli Paschathya Vidvamsara Kannada Seve, also contains useful information on the history of a number of rare Kannada newspapers although it suffers occasionally from lack of documentation. Farias K Kranti, has minutely dealt with The Christian Impact in South Kanara (1999), by ferreting out the Christian contribution to the development of culture, industry and languages like Kannada, Tulu and Konkani. Jogula Jayavanth s, Basel Mission in Karnataka (1987) has more than 27 articles by different renowned writers on the prominent missionaries who have contributed to literary, religious and educational field in Karnataka. It also provides missionary endeavours of Hermann Moegling in Karnataka. It lacks journalistic ventures of the missionaries in Karnataka. * Wodeyar S S, who has edited four lectures on Rev Chennappa Utthangi: Jeevana Hagu Krithigalu provides a glimpse on the influence of the foreign missionaries on Indian Missionaries like Utthangi, his patriotism, social service, literary acumen and philosophy of life. Further, many felicitation volumes brought out by several authors of repute supply us with pertinent information, which will help in drawing proper inference, from the events and contributions. 1.6 Methodology: The study The Contribution of Christian Missionaries to Journalism in Karnataka is based on Historical method. The study was carried out in two phases. 17

16 In the first phase, materials from government and non-governmental agencies was collected on the over all view of the subject under consideration. Data was collected from the old volumes of newspapers, periodicals and magazines published by Christian missionaries besides other documents. All types of secondary data were collected through various governmental, archival and other sources. Further, old newspaper collections were made use for the purpose The researcher visited the United Theological College library and archives, Millers Road, Bangalore; Karnataka University library, Dharwad, University Library, Manasagangothn, Mysore; The Karnataka Theological College library and archives at Balmatta, Mangalore; The Central Library, Light house Hill, Mangalore; The Konkam Institute, St Aloysius College library, Mangalore, St Joseph s Seminary library, Jeppu, Mangalore; and few more libraries and personal collections of a few individual literary men were the resource material for this study. The study intends focusing on the role and the contribution of the Christian missionaries in the development of the printing industry andjoumalism in Karnataka in general and Dakshina Kannada in particular. The researcher has made a number of visits to The London Mission Press, Bellary; Wesleyan Mission Press, Bangalore; Catholic Mission Press Bangalore; Codialbail Press, Bondel Factory and Assisi Press were to collect the data. Various types of resource persons from different sections of the community such as editors of periodicals, journalists, press managers, printers, literary persons and writers were interviewed for the purpose of primary data An interview schedule was prepared for the purpose. The period of the research study is from early 19th century to turn of the 21st century. The study period is divided into sub phases, i e. from the beginning of printing in Karnataka , , and

17 The first phase( ) : The first phase was the period of the entry of missionaries to Karnataka like the London Missionaries, Wesleyan Missionaries, Basel Missionaries and Catholic Missionaries who entered Karnataka for the spread of their faith as well as education. All over the country the movement was on for the War of Independence in order to overthrow the British rule. Despite the linguistic, social and cultural differences the unified India was a distinctive feature of the country. Those publications run by the missionaries generally reflected the diversified opinion on various aspects The second phase ( ) : The second phase highlights the spread of missionaries and their publications till Indian Independence. It is interesting to note that the whole lot of newspapers devoted space for foreign news The news of two World Wars dominated the pages of the newspapers during the respective periods. The third phase ( ): The third phase from to the present had an air of freedom all over the country but at the same time threw up the major problems of building a self-reliant India. It was also the period that witnessed the return of the missionaries to their home countries This created new challenge to the natives who had no part in the administration of their own land and people. This situation had to be faced with courage and wisdom to build an India of their dreams, which found expression in the newspapers of the time General objective General objective of this study is to trace the overall contribution of the Christian Missionaries to Journalism in Karnataka. Some of the specific objectives of the study are as follows: 1. To identify the printing activities that led to the beginning of Kannada Journalism in Karnataka. 2. To trace the contribution of Christian Missionaries to Kannada Journalism in Karnataka. 19

18 3. To trace the contribution of Christian Missionaries to Konkani Journalism in Karnataka 4. To trace the contribution of Christian Missionaries to English Journalism in Karnataka. 5. To identify the journalistic ventures of various printers, publishers and editors 6. To analyze the contents of the newspaper. 7. To examine the role of Christian missionaries in promoting other languages of Karnataka such as Konkani, Tulu and English. 1.7 Scheme of Chapterisation of the thesis First chapter First chapter deals with general introduction to Journalism in India with special reference to Karnataka. It also presents the methodology of the present study undertaken by the researcher It throws light on the objectives, research design, study penod, mode of data collection and data analysis. Further a brief history of review of literature on the topic of the research is also detailed in the chapter Second chapter on Printing Presses in Karnataka It describes the contribution of the Christian Missionaries to printing and publishing activities in different parts of Karnataka London Mission Press, Bellary The London Missionaries were the first to establish a printing press at Bellary. John Hands came to Bellary m 1810 and m 1821 launched a printing press. New Testament and Old Testament 1000 copies of John Hands version; Kannada Aesops Fables, Pilgrims Progress in Kannada and other books were translated and printed in this press by W Beynon during The English Kannada Dictionary (1830) and Kannada English Dictionary (1832) were compiled by William Reeve at Bellary and were printed by the Government of Madras. They remained the only standard work for 62 years until Kittel s Dictionary appeared in

19 The Wesleyan Mission Press, Bangalore: 1821 ElijaHoole was the founder of Wesleyan Mission Press, Bangalore (WMP), which took shape between 1821 and 1828 at Bangalore. * Books Printed : The first book printed from Wesleyan Mission Press was Prashnottara Sala Pustaka, Canarese and English Instructor or A Help in Acquiring Knowledge of the English Language (1841). The next publication was a collection of Canaries Stories entitled as KathaManjari with an English translation. The Harvest Field, a monthly periodical of 24 pages occupied with the latest missionary information was issued from the Wesleyan Mission Press. Between 1846 and 1848,Garrett was busy publishmg the Bhagavad-Gita m Sanskrit, Canarese and English with an introduction by Warren Hastings This book was printed in the Wesleyan Mission Press in Bangalore. B Rungah was the printer and it used four different sizes of types Basel Mission Press, Mangalore(1841): The Basel Missionaries from Germany started their printing activities in Mangalore. G Weigle who had been to Bombay to get a booklet printed, returned to Mangalore with a press gifted to him in the year Early printing was done lithographically. Books Printed: The first book produced by Basel Mission Press was the Tulu translation of the Gospel of Matthew by Greiner, pages 104, copies 800 and collection of Malayalam hymns by Br Gundert. In 1842 The Lords Prayer was lithographed in German, English, Kannada and Tulu. The other books printed at Basel Mission Press are Jaimini Bharata (1848), Dasaparva Bharata (1851), Basavapurana (1850) and Chennabasavapurana 21

20 (1851). These were printed lithographically, which was a rough hard and cumbersome process of printing. Litho copies of these and many more are found in the archives of Karnataka Theological College, Balmatta, Mangalore. They are elegant and feast to the eyes of a reader. Basel Mission Press had trained Indians in the art of printing and type casting. One of them who became an expert and earned name for himself is Athavara Ananthachary. He chiseled Kannada types m various font sizes and Anantha shade is attributed to his handy work The Columbian Press(1848): The Columbian Press at Bangalore was also one of the earliest presses It had two important publications. 1. A forced March from home in Old England to my home in the Regiment It was written by an unidentified British Army Officer printed in 1848 and is of203 pages. Printers name is given as Thomas Bear. 2. The Katha Manjari or Bouquet of stories (1850) in Tamil and English. According to Srinivasa Havanur and Kesavan B S the copies of both the books are found in the British Museum Library (BML) Catholic Press, Bangalore (1848) : The Catholic Press, Bangalore was founded in 1848 and several religious works were printed. Daiva Parikshe was the first book printed in this press. Satya Veda Parikshe, Dodda Japada Pustaka, English and Canarese Instructor (1867) were some of the important books printed in this Press Wesleyan Methodist Mission Press, Mysore (1890) : Wesleyan Mission Press was already popular m Bangalore. The missionaries belonging to the same group arrived to Mysore in 1890 and started a Press there. It was the pride of the then Mysore Government and had more than 1,100 employees. 22

21 Codialbail Press (1882): It was the Jesuits of French Mission who took up a mission at Mangalore and started St Aloysius College at the behest of the Catholics of Mangalore. The Basel Missionaries at Balmatta who were the Protestants refused to print writings, which were not to their taste prompted the Jesuits to launch a printing press in In the beginning the press was called as St Joseph s Printing Press and religious works were printed. When they started printing other than religious works, it was renamed as Codialbail Press. It was housed at St Aloysius College, Mangalore. Initially the books of the government of Bombay were printed. This press undertook the printing of Konkani books in Kannada script. Some of the Books printed at the Codialbail Press are Sauvum Francis Savieran Boreillo Sathmanthancho Earrth (1883) or Catechetical Explanation of the Creed, Catholicancho Dispodtho Sangathi (1887), the translation of The Catholic s Daily Companion, and Konkni Rananthlo Sobit Sunder Talo (1892) which means A Sweet Voice from the Konkani Desert by an Italian Jesuit priest AFX Maffei. A Konkani Grammar in 1882, Shembor Konkni Kontigo (1890), Vade Mecum (1891), The Confessors Konkani by Maffei and a vernacular magazine Chintamani, were printed in this press. Suvasini a promising magazine under the editorship of Panje MangeshaRao was also printed there Prakashalaya (1952): Prakashalaya is the publishing wing of St Joseph s Seminary, Jeppu, Mangalore. Gregory Sequeira sj as a sub unit of the Seminary started Prakashalaya in The aim of Prakashalaya was to spread good and healthy literature that upholds moral and religious values so that the people might built up mto loyal and responsible citizens of India. Prakashalaya brought out 70 books 23

22 Assisi Press (1970): The Capuchin Fnar Vincent Lobo began Assisi Press in The aim of the press was to print Sevak (the Servant), a monthly family magazine that was then called Thisrya ordicho Sevak, so as to provide right information of the Capuchin Order and encourage the laity to accept their call for holiness of life. Secondly, it aimed at providing employment to the poor section of youth of those days. Thirdly,to provide financial help to educate the young boys who stayed m Assisi House and wished to join the Priesthood. Franciscan Patr (Bulletin of the Franciscans), Sevak, Amcho Sandesh, Hombelaku and more than 40 bulletins were printed there 1.73 Third chapter Third chapter critically analyses the contribution of Christian Missionaries to Kannada Journalism. Kannada Journalism concentrates mainly on the periodicals brought out by the London Missionaries of Bellary and Bangalore; Wesleyan Missionaries of Bangalore and Mysore, and Basel Missionaries and Catholic Missionaries at Bellary, Bangalore, Chickmagalore, Mangalore and Mysore. Almost 165 years ago journals like monthlies, quarterlies and annuals, acted like present-day weeklies.basel Missionaries had brought out more than 15 Journals. Among them, Mangaloora Samachara (1843) was secular in nature. Where as Vichitra Varthamana Sangraha (1862), Arunodaya (1862) and Karnataka KraistaBandhu (1933) had 20 percent religious news and the rest of it was secular. The same missionaries also brought out Kannada Varthica (1857), Sabha Patra (1868), Prabodhavani (1868), Bala Patra (1869), Satya Dipike (1896), Vaidika Mithra (1910), The Way of Christ (1913), Kraista Hitavadi, (1924), Subodhavani (1982) and Balopadeshaka (1934) All these were religious theological magazines/ periodicals. The Wesleyan Missionaries m Mysore brought out Vrittanta Patrike(lSST)edited by Henry Hague. 24

23 The Catholics in Domahalli, Mysore brought out a monthly Dootha in H Lobo was its editor for 43 years. Yuva Thare, Bala Spoorthi, Kannada Vani and Jana Vahini were also brought out by them in later years. Among the Christian Missionaries Protestants brought out many periodicals as compared to the Catholic Missionaries. Hermann Frederic Moegling, Ferdinand Kittel and B H Rice the eminent personalities m Kannada Journalism are included with their journalistic achievements Eminent Personalities in Kannada Journalism Hermann Frederic Moegling Hermann Frederic Moegling was a German (Basel) Missionary who came to Mangalore m He learnt Kannada with great success and became a master of the language. His contributions to the development of literature, education, printing, journalism and other spheres of human life were immense and unique. Moegling and Hebich( pioneering missionaries of Basel Mission) opened a printing press based on the device of Lithography in He brought out the medieval Kannada classics in the Bibliotheca Carnatica series the chief Canarese authors, and took a prominent part in translating the Bible. Moegling s Jathi Vicharane and Deva Vicharane are considered to be the first literary essays in modem Kannada. He brought out the first Kannada Newspaper Mangaloora Samachara in His two memorable works Coorg Memoirs and Rajendra Name give deep insights into the life of Coorg. He printed valuable books such as Jaimini Bharata, Haribhakti Sara, Kumaravyasa Bharata, Basavapurana, ChennabasavaPuranaand Kannada Gadegalu etc, and made religious works and knowledge accessible to common man Ferdinand Kittel Ferdinand Kittel, an emment German Missionary of Basel Mission came to India in Kittle s Kannada English Dictionary published in 1894 by the Basel Mission at Mangalore, has been the only authentic Kannada lexicon in the field for a century 25

24 and more. In 1885 he rendered the New Testament into chaste Kannada.He edited the Panchatantra and a Canarese Poetical Anthology in He also authored Knowledge of the Supreme Spirit (1863), History of the Church of Christ (1870), Kathamale, a selection of scripture stories of the New Testament in Hindu Metre and the History of Tulu Language. His important work was A Survey of the Vedic Polytheism and Pantheism. His other works are A School Dictionary in Englishand Kannada (1876), A Kannada English Dictionay (1894), A Grammar of the Canarese language in English (1903), Nagavarma s Canarese Prosody (English 1875), Kesiraja s Jewel Mirror of Grammar with commentary by Nisthrananjayya (1872), and A Tract on Sacrifice (1872) Fourth chapter It deals with Konkani periodicals published by Catholic Missionaries as well as Non-missionanes. Its readers are Konkani speaking Catholics spread all over. In Karnataka, the firstkonkam monthly Konkni Dirven (The Treasure of Konkani, 1912) was brought out by two young literary stalwarts of Mangalore Aloysius I Masearenhas and Sardar U Kannappa. Konkni Dirven was begun as a monthly and within one and a half year it became a fortnightly Eminent well-qualified persons wrote its articles. It promoted Konkani language and culture. It was not supported financially by any religious or other organizations. When Rakno a national weekly appeared in 1938, it had the backing of the religious leaders. Therefore it also had the financial support of the clergy, which meant a deathblow to Konkni Dirven. By 1940 Konkni Dirven came to a halt. Amchi Mai (Our Mother, 1950), Jesu Rai (Christ the Kmg, 1954), Jesuchea Povitr KalzachoAanj (Messenger of the Sacred Heart, 1917), Sevak (The Servant, 1959) were some of the religious cum secular family magazines whose editors were all Catholic clergy / priests. Poinari (The Traveller, 1950), Mithr (The Friend, 1953), Jhelo (The Garland, 1956), Divo (The Light, 1996), Yuvak (The Youth, 1988), Umallo (Seething), Kutam (The 26

25 Family, 2003), Kurov (The Crown), Amclio Sandesh(Our Message), Dirven (The Treasure) were the prominent Konkani periodicals. It was purely a lay venture. Amar Konkatti (Immortal Konkani, 1981) a half-yearly journal of Konkani language and culture was started by the Jesuit Father of St Aloysius College, Mangalore. V J P Saldanha was its first editor of this journal. To commemorate the Centenary year of St Aloysius College, the Institute of Konkani started Amar Konkani in This chapter also has recorded the contributions of Thomas Stephens sj, Angelo F X Maffei sj, Aloysius I Mascarenhas and V J P Saldanha to Konkani language and journalism Chapter Fifth This chapter discusses the English Journals brought out by the Missionaries in Karnataka. B H Rice who belongs to the London Mission recorded in Harvest Field (1861) the activities of all the missionaries of different groups like Basel Missionaries, Wesleyan Missionaries and others. The Harvest Field published articles on religious festivals such as Ugadi, Deepavali, Navarathn, Dussera, Bali Padyami, Shivarathri, Christmas and Easter. It shed light on social evils like Bang, liquors, sati and child marriage. The Mangalore Magazine (1897) was a quarterly brought out by St Aloysius College, Mangalore. The editor of this Magazine was John Moore sj. It contained articles on college and secondary education,commentaries on the prevailing systems of education, translation of the Christian Purana (Christa Purana) ascribed as a graceful essay in a difficult metre with the rare merit of absolute fidelity to the original, according to the editors note. History of Mangalore Diocese, Tales of Tippu and Balthu Chatney, History of Kanara by Jerome A Saldanha, Mangalore Railway and harbour and many more topics were dealt with in the magazine. The Mangalore Magazine shares in considerable measure the characteristics of a learned journal. The Catholic Association of South Kanara (CASK) published Mangalore as a monthly m 1914 The magazine, which was printed at the Codialbail Press, was of the 27

26 size of 21 x 13 ems. and contained 24 pages. The articles published in this magazine were of high literary style and educative substance. Besides news and views it published articles on various issues relating to religion, socio-economics and health. It also had information about the births, deaths and marriages of the Catholic community in India and abroad. The Magazine is still running but is thin in pages as well as in news and articles Michael Lobo, its present editor has been trying to revive the magazine with its former charm. The members of CASK are its main readers and benefactors. Coastal Times (1990) was another lay venture owned and edited by Sylvester Pinto. A Synan Catholic U V George a journalist by profession and with an expertise of advertising skills edited Mangalore Today a monthly m 1996 This monthly has certain similarity to the famed India Today, restricting its boundaries to Dakshina Kannada andudupi Sixth chapter It deals with the Tulu literature that laid a foundation for Tulu language and later to Thin Journalism. Tulu Journalism is just 70 years old. The Basel Missionaries have a fair share in linguistics and religious works Augustus Maenner, one of the renowned Tulu Scholar published his famous Tulu English Dictionary in 1886 and English Tulu Dictionary in He was the author of a Tulu hymnbook and a tract on Bhutas. He also published a collection of Tulu Paddanas He jointly edited the Sabhapatra, a Christian Magazine in Kannada Seventh chapter Seventh chapter enumerates the findings of the missionary contributions to Journalism and printing activity in Karnataka. The very purpose ofpnnting and publishing thejoumals served to train the local population in the various spheres connected with it. The missionaries brought printing machinery and trained the local people in printing trades like hand composing, bookbinding and 28

27 letter press machines. Indirectly, the people were enabled to master various trades. Literacy was promoted with greater alacrity. The journals brought out by the Christian missionaries served to educate the people and to develop a healthy taste for reading. They contributed a great deal to the allround progress of the communities they served. Although the ultimate purpose of these publications was to enlighten the public on their respective religious belief, they had a valuable contribution to make to society by upholding moral values and promoting welfare measures, for the upliftment of the society in general. Mangaloora Samachara, Vichitra Varthamana Sangraha, Vrittanta Patrike, The Harvest Field, Rakno and Dootha created a public space. They provided a forum to discuss the local policies and problems of the people. A newspaper in the language of the people created a larger audience to take part m the development of their language, culture, education, health and industry. A common script for All India by Bernard Lucas was formulated.2 4 Harvest Field the record of the Missionary activity in India and Ceylon had several articles to develop an ideal script. Its adoption and use would practically solve the questions of India s illiteracy, and greatly forward the cause of social, religious and political reforms. The Konkani speaking people were less aware of the elementary knowledge pertaining to their religious, social, political and economical concerns. It is the KonkniDirven (1912), the first Konkni periodical which started educating, informing, entertaining and moulding public opinion of the Konkni people especially in South Cannara. Through its news reports, it had built an army against Dowry2 5 Took care of the working class Mangaloreans in Bombay 2 6 and worked for the development of Konkani language2 7 The newspaper and periodicals published in the regional languages far outnumber the English language newspapers both m number and circulation. 29