Women's Journals in Andhra during the Nineteenth Century

Abstract

This paper is an attempt to analyse the women's journals in Andhra during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.1 To what extent the journals published during the hey day of social and religious movements in the region reflected the contemporary reform movements is the main concern. At this time new forms in Telugu literature such as story, farce (burlesque), novel, drama and essay were emerging as important literary expressions. They provided a powerful medium for the expression of reform ideas as the reformers and modernists of the period profusely made use of these forms. These forms helped the expression and dissemination of ideas of reform and modernism. Also, the prose style in Telugu underwent a healthy change from that of 'Grandhika' (bookish and Pedantic) to 'Vyavaharika' (spoken), eventhough the transformation was a long and arduous process. This change symbolised the democratisation of the language when an increasing percentage of people, from the ranks of educated middle classes, were being drawn into social and political activities. The growth of journalism in Andhra during the nineteenth century has to be viewed in the above context of changes taking place in both languages and literature. Several parts of India witnessed, during this period, starting of a number of vernacular Journals and, as a part of this, Telugu journalism made its beginning in 1830s.2 The early activity of the Telugu printing, associated with the College of Fort. St. George at Madras (established in 1812), provided the necessary atmosphere for the emergence of Telugu journalism. The College was established for training civilians in the vernaculars of the Presidency. A press, book depot and also a library were attached to it.3 Further, in the wake of the missionary activities, availability of a good number of printing presses in Madras city facilitated the journalistic ventures. Vrittantini was the first known Telugu journal, published from Madras in 1838. Not much is known about it, even though it is agreed