Nidhiry Mani Kathanar

Nidhiry Mani Kathanar Biography

Nidhiry Mani Kathanar, also known as Mar Emmanuel Nidhiri is an iconic figure of Syrian Malabar Nasrani Christians of Kerala, mostly popular the leadership against the European hegemony over the Nasrani Christians. He was the second Vicar General of Syro Malabar Catholic Church and founder of Kerala’s first newspaper ‘Nazranee Deepika’ which is now known as Deepika. He was also instrumental in founding the most circulated newspaper of Kerala, the Malayala Manorama, which is also credited as the most circulated regional language newspaper of India. He was one of the founders of Malayali Memorial with the key role of the social transformation of Kerala. It also helped his community to get exposed to English education.

He was born in a rich family on May 27, 1842 at Kuravilangad, Kottayam district, the place believed to be Mother Mary's first appearance in the world. At the age of 19, he entered spiritual service as a deacon and he was ordained priest in 1876 at the age of 34. Kathanar played key role in opeing English education in Kerala and was instrumental in initiating English education to the Syrian Catholic community. Malayalam daily, Deepika was the first newspaper of Kerala, where Kathinar was its founder editor. He was also instrumental in starting Malayala Manorama, the most circulated daily of Kerala.

Kathinar was also a poet and has authored three books related to church history.  He was one of the founding members of Malayali Memorial of 1891 which aimed at social reformation in Kerala. Nidhiry Mani Kathanar and Mar Dionysius together organised Nazrani Jathiaikya Sangham, an ecumenical association. Kathanar died on June 20, 1904 due to unknown reasons.

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Updated: February 12, 2014