History of Malayalam 

The history of Malayalam is a rich focus point influenced by various linguistic, cultural, and political developments. Hence while looking at the evolution of Malayalam, one can gain insights into how the language has been integral to the construction of a separate regional identity that contributes to the broader national identity of India. Malayalam is one of the four major Dravidian languages, alongside Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada. Originating from the Proto-Dravidian language, which is the ancestor of all Dravidian languages spoken in South India. Malayalam shares very close connections with the language of Tamil. Hence both languages had a common linguistic history until approximately the 9th century CE. The initial stages of Malayalam are most often referred to as Old Malayalam, and during this period, the language had major influences from Tamil, as well as from Sanskrit due to cultural and religious exchanges. Malayalam began to develop its own identity, and Sanskrit deeply influenced its vocabulary, grammar, and literary styles. This influence was especially marked in the early inscriptions and literature of Kerala, where a blend of Tamil and Sanskrit, known as Manipravalam, became prevalent. This linguistic blend was common in early Malayalam literary works, including the famous "Vazhappalli Inscription" (c. 830 CE), which is considered one of the earliest examples of Malayalam writing. Malayalam had diverged significantly from Tamil, establishing itself as a distinct language by the 13th century. Therefore, the development of Malayalam was demonstrated by the composition of "Ramacharitam" in the 12th or 13th century, a text that is often cited as one of the earliest examples of Malayalam literature. The evolution of Malayalam continued absorbing fundamentals from various languages, including Pali, Prakrit, Arabic, and Portuguese, due to Kerala’s long history of trade and cultural exchange.

The introduction of European colonial powers, mainly the Portuguese, Dutch, and British, drastically impacted Malayalam. The British introduced formal education and print media in Kerala, which played an essential role in the normalization of the language. The first Malayalam printing press was started by German missionaries in 1821, and by the mid-19th century, Malayalam newspapers and periodicals began to appear, promoting literacy and a sense of regional identity. The initiation of print media in Malayalam was a turning point in the language's history. It enabled the spread of ideas correlated to social reforms, nationalism, and modernity. Publications like "Paschimodayam" (1847), the first Malayalam newspaper, and "Njananikshepam" (1848), a Malayalam magazine, were instrumental in shaping public opinion and spreading nationalist ideas. These publications contributed to the emergence of a Malayali identity, distinct from both Tamil and other South Indian identities. Malayalam played a vital role in the creation of a distinct regional identity in Kerala. At the time of the Indian independence movement, language became a key indicator of identity. Hence there were efforts made to promote Malayalam as a medium of instruction and administration. The Kerala Sahitya Akademi, established in 1956, was one of the institutions that contributed to the promotion and standardization of Malayalam literature and language. The linguistic reformation of Indian states in 1956, led to the creation of Kerala as a state for Malayalam speakers, becoming a significant milestone in the history of the language. This reformation was based on the theory of linguistic identity, and it reinforced the role of Malayalam as an indicator of regional and cultural identity in Kerala. The state’s formation was an identification of the unique cultural and linguistic heritage of the Malayalam-speaking people. In the decades after independence, Malayalam continued to develop, with increasing efforts to preserve and promote the language. The formation of educational institutions and media outlets in Malayalam further set its status as a crucial element of Kerala’s cultural identity. Furthermore, the language has gained recognition on a national level, with Malayalam writers like M.T. Vasudevan Nair and O.V. Vijayan gaining prominence in Indian literature.