200 Years of Hindi Journalism Celebrated with Exhibition and Seminar

Marking two centuries since the launch of 'Udanta Martand' in 1826, a special exhibition and seminar at the IGNCA celebrate the history of Hindi journalism. The event features rare prints and discussions on the impact and evolution of the Hindi press.

Two centuries have passed since the 'Udanta Martand,' commonly recognized as the dawn of Hindi journalism, was published in Kolkata. Originally edited by Jugal Kishore Shukla, this weekly publication first appeared on May 30, 1826, under the motto “Hindustaniyon ke hit ke het.”

In commemoration of this milestone, the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) has organized an exhibition showcasing rare archival materials from historic Hindi journals spanning the 19th and 20th centuries. A seminar was jointly hosted with the Madhavrao Sapre Memorial Newspaper Museum to celebrate the bicentenary. Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia participated in the seminar, unveiling a commemorative stamp and volume. The event also featured a message from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who highlighted the impressive legacy of Hindi journalism. IGNCA's exhibition includes early images from newspapers like 'Malwa Akhbar' and 'Samachar Sudhavarshan' among many others, offering a glimpse into India’s rich journalistic past.