Mangalore’s Tryst With the German Basel Mission

Mangalore played host to Chithra Vaibhava, an exhibition showcasing about 1,000 rare black-and-white photographs that were taken between 1840 and 1940. They were taken by German missionaries who recorded the life of the people in South Canara and Malabar. It gave a glimpse into the people’s lifestyle, the kind of agricultural equipment used by them, how the streets looked in their days, the district’s first bridge and some praise the scenic beauty of the area.

The exhibition which started on October 30 was organized on the occasion of the Basel Mission’s 175 years in India. The Mission started its ministry in Mangalore in 1884. They established many health care and educational institutions in the region. The first hospital at Udupi and in South Canara was built by them in 1923.

In the year 1841, the first printing press of the region was established at Balmatta. Books were printed in Kannada, German, Tulu, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, English, Sanskrit, and Konkani. Basel missionary Herman Frederick Mogling published Mangalura Samachara, supposed to be the first Kannada newspaper. The Mission also started a weaving factory at Balmatta in 1844, tile factories at Jeppu in 1865, at Kudroli in 1882 and at Malpe in 1886.

A few of the photographs are of the Basel Mission Press that started using Linotype printing machine. Mangalore’s growth from a humble port to a city known for its education and health care facilities were also shown. Some 800-odd books on science and religion, ones in Kannada and Tulu published by the Basel Mission Press and a collection of newspapers and magazines were also on display.