Sathyadeepam a leading Catholic Malayalam weekly is on track its centenary celebrations. It on 8th August 2026. Sathyadeepam is a leading Catholic Malayalam weekly began in 1927 in the Major Archdiocese of Ernakulam – Angamaly with the blessings of Archbishop Augustine Kandathil by Msgr. Joseph Panjikkaran and Rev. Fr Jacob Naduathussery. Passing through the decades it fearlessly proclaimed the truth, became the corrective measure of the society, stood as an agent of unity in diversity, showed good directions and new paths for those who are in the dimness of ignorance and doubt and it still continues to guide as the morning star.
During the Centenary inauguration Renowned Malayalam Short story Writer T. Padmanabhan is honoured with Cardinal Parecattil Sathyadeepam Literary Award. Veteran writer T. Padmanabhan, is known for his fearless and principled voice with meticulous but soft and gentile words. His characters always transmit positivity and hope. He himself authenticated that one and only one character in his stories once said a lie to save a pet dog. Padmanabhan also shared that the character of the Bishop in Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables first shaped his understanding of Christ and left a lasting influence on his literary and spiritual outlook. During the award ceremony he sarcastically said to the audience there are so many evil characters in this world, then why should I create new ones? One thing more he remembered in his thanks giving after receiving Award that once one of the catholic priest said to him that ‘your stories are really the holy prayers of the soul’; it amounts to me more valuable that any awards and cash prize. The way of truth that always become victories.
Speaking at the event, Honourable Chief Minister of Kerala V.D. Satheesan described Padmanabhan as a writer who always penned with courage, without being influenced by anyone. He said Padmanabhan’s unique perspective on life has enriched Malayalam literature and that presenting the award to such a distinguished writer was itself an honour. The Chief Minister also praised Sathyadeepam for upholding editorial independence throughout its hundred-year journey. He also reiterated that Sathyadeepam has always taken firm stands without compromise on many of the social and political issues which may harm the society in the long run. As far as I know Sathyadeepam is a weekly that always took firm stand against division, disintegration, sectarianism and polarization in the society.
Presiding over the function, Major Archbishop Mar Raphael Thattil, head of the Syro-Malabar Church and Archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamay, said Sathya deepam has played a vital role in passing on Christian values and culture to generations in Kerala and the Catholics in migration. He designated the weekly as “a lamp placed on the podium of the Church” that has continued to shine for a century. Justice Kurian Joseph (the former Supreme Court Judge) in his key note address while saying that Sathyadeepam weekly has helped a lot of people to grow in their talent of writing and remembered that his name printed at first in a weekly at his younger age was Sathyadeepam. He reiterated that this Malayalam catholic weekly stood firm without losing its values and without failing its sharpness.
Minister of Higher education of the State of Kerala Mr. Roji M. John released a collection of digitised rare books and historical documents prepared by Granthappura.org Ernakulam Centre, and Mr. Hibi Eden MP released the Sathyadeepam Centenary Special Edition. Several Church leaders, public representatives, and media personalities also addressed the gathering.
Just before the inaugural and Literary Award presentation, a panel discussion on “Sathyadeepam: History and the Present” featured writers and media personalities including P. F. Mathews, Johny Lukose, Bobby Jose Kattikad OFM Cap., Dr. George Irumbayam, Fr. Dr. Paul Thelakat, Fr. Kuriakose Puthenmanayil, and Fr. Mathew Kilukkan.
