MARATHI PRESS

EVALUATE THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE MARATHI PRESS TO THE NATIONAL MOVT IN MAHARASHTRA

National press

Press became a powerful tool in India. There was a possibility to exchange views, exposed social evils, fostered the growth of literary works. Played a prominent role in India, in the Constitution of India, a sense of unity among the people, helping the national economy of the people.

Printing press was introduced in India i.e., in Goa by the Portuguese Scottish missionaries brought the press in Bombay and the American missionaries introduced Devnagari type. Thus, it can be seen that press was used in the propagation of Christianity. Weekly and monthly periodicals were printed in this press.

Two Marathi printers were Ganpat Krishnaji and Javaji Dadaji. Marathi printing press named Desh Marathi Chhapkhana was established by Javaji Dadaji and is working till today.

The oldest press in Pune was Chitrashala Kitabkhana press. After 1860 we find Kesari and Dyna Prakash printing press.

Newspapers, journals, magazines, periodicals were printed for public education.

The work of the 3 periodicals which earlier were weeklies but later on became daily newspapers

1844 a periodical ‘Upadesh Chandrika’ was published to counteract the propaganda; to protect the Hindu religion.

Dnyanodaya was a Marathi periodical published by American Christian missionaries from Ahmednagar. Publication started in 1842. This periodical was dedicated to the spread of Christianity. It exposed (criticized) the defects of Hindu society and criticized the customs and practices of the Hindus. They could not accept this.

Dnyanaprakash – they started / began their publication in 1849 from Pune. It was an Anglo Marathi periodical. In the beginning it was issued only on Mondays but later it started issues twice a week on Mondays and Thursdays.

This periodical captured the hearts of the many people who kept increasing in number. Contributors to this periodical were – Chiplunkar, Deshmukh, Justice M. G. Ranade and many scholars. It gave not only internal news but international news too. This periodical devoted a few columns to female education, trade and commerce and themes of public interest. The title of this periodical was ‘radiating knowledge’. In 1904, it became a daily newspaper. This was the second periodical to be turned into a daily newspaper. The first was Induprakash published from Bombay.

‘Induprakash (1^st Marathi paper) began its publication from 1862. Edited by Vishnushashtri Pandit, it was printed as a bilingual weekly with emphasis on social reforms. This periodical devoted a few columns to child marriage, female education, widow remarriage. Its main purpose was to provoke thinking on social evils, create public consciousness. The paper achieved tremendous popularity.

Periodicals and magazines in the Mofussils

The periodicals and magazines that were published in Bombay and Pune were mostly in two languages – English and Marathi. They aimed at attracting readers from the Marathi speaking and non-Marathi speaking population. Their main objective was to educate the public. Their second objective was profit making.

The Inam commission, the famines, the Sepoys Mutiny of 1857, the end of the rule by the East India Company and the American Civil War had shaken the people. They were eager for news and guidance in conducting their business and other affairs of practical importance.

 

The role of public libraries

People were very much interested in reading newspapers, periodicals. Later on they felt the need of libraries. The 1^st general library was at Dhobi Talao (June 7, 1845). Those who could not buy newspapers, periodicals, magazines had free access to that public library.

This news spread and many libraries were established

-       In Pune – Nagar Vachan Mandir – 1848

-       Kolhapur – General Library – 1850

-       Amravati – City Library – 1867

-       Konkan, Ratnagiri, Vengurla, Sawantwadi and Malwan

 

THE ROLE OF THE PRESS IN THE LAST QUARTER OF THE 19^TH CENTURY

People all over Maharashtra did pay a lot of attention to the press, to news, read newspapers. The literate people too gained a lot through the press.

 

PRESS AS A NEW FORCE IN MAHARASHTRA

With the spread of education and opening up of libraries the newly elected people in the mofussils were eager to read about secular matter not merely the stories from Hindu mythology.

Chiplunkar’s classical style won him the title of ‘Shivaji of Marathi Language’. It was Vishnu Shastri Chiplunkar who was one of the founder of Kesari along with G. G. Agarkar and Tilak.

Jyotirao Phule started a periodical – Sarita (river) 1885 which helped him to organize Satyashodhak Samaj

One magazine edited by non Brahmin was Deenabandhu of Kolhapure (1877) edited by Bhalekar.

 

THE VERNACULAR PRESS ACT 1878

The outbreak of famine in Maharashtra in 1876-77 and in many parts of India created an explosive situation. By 1877 the press in India had become very powerful. There were about 644 newspapers in India out of which about a 100 were in Maharashtra. The British government acted as guardian of the people of India.

Conclusion

The role of the press in promoting knowledge among the ever-increasing readers of the popular dailies, weeklies and magazines cannot be denied. Thus, we can say that the Marathi press not only promoted enlightenment among the people but also enriched the language and emerged as a great single force to mould public opinion in Maharashtra.