First Bangla newspaper in UK revived
Satya-vani was published in 1916, but went out of print in 1918
On November 1, 1916, history was made as the first Bangla language newspaper "Satya-vani" (true sayings) in Britain was published. Copies were printed by publishers on Milford Lane in London's Strand. The multilingual newspaper, a much needed beacon of hope during tumultuous wartimes, covered news in several languages, prioritising Bangla.
Ownership of the publication remains unknown as there were no names mentioned in any editions of the paper. Contact details that were provided for readers directed them to the publisher's office.
The paper's positive coverage of Britain has led many to assume that the publication may have been government backed or supported by a British organisation. The publication was one of a kind as it targeted Indians, which at the time included Bangalees, living in Britain. Thus, a new business strategy emerged from this, one that focused on prioritising minorities in the UK.
Released once every fortnight, the paper's dimensions were 590mm x 420mm and consisted of eight pages. The publication also had the price of 1 Indian ana displayed on its front page, a currency unit used in former India, equal to 1/16th of a rupee. This has led historians to speculate the publication was also sold across what is today India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh as well as in Britain, where it was distributed for free.
Sadly, the publication, a pioneer of multilingual and Bangla news, both in Britain and abroad, came to an end on February 22, 1918. Reason for the closure remains unknown. For 24 long years after its closure, no Bangla media existed in Britain. The paper is now displayed in the British Library's catalogue of Bengali journals.
The paper was not only a successful innovation but it also marked the beginning of a long partnership between two nations. It has now been a century since the creation of Bangla media in Britain. Within this timeframe, Britain has witnessed several Bangla publications, some of which have unfortunately fallen over the years while others still stand strong today.
A hundred years on, commemorating this historic feat, an online version of "Satya-vani", now spelt phonetically "Shottobani", was symbolically re-launched on February 21 at Mayfair venue in Essex, East London. The gala event was attended by a number of media celebrities including Managing Editor of The Independent and London's Press Club's Chairman Doug Wills, Bangladesh's Deputy High Commissioner Khondker Mohammad Talha, journalism professor Martin Bright, Huffington Post's writer Shahena Ali, London Bangla Press Club's President Syed Nahas Pasha, Brent Mayor Parvez Ahmed, and Tower Hamlets Speaker Khales Uddin Ahmed among other guests.
Shottobani's Editor Syed Anas Pasha said, "Online Shottobani, the name of the first Bengali publication in Britain, will be a new and dynamic Bengali and English online news portal that will prioritise news relating to the Bengali diaspora."
As it has now been a hundred years since the first Bangla publication in Britain was released, the event celebrated the contributions of Bangla media in Britain and acknowledged the well-established link between the two nations. British-Bangladeshi ties have strengthened in a number of fields, and the media is no exception.