# Deepika

> Historic Malayalam newspaper app detailing its origins and evolution. (iPhone/iPad app by RASHTRA DEEPIKA LIMITED.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/deepika/id6477533617 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [RASHTRA DEEPIKA LIMITED](https://appshunter.io/developer/1729566174)
- Category: News
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.20/5 from 26 App Store ratings · 3 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 14.0 · 48 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2024-02-19
- Data updated: 2026-08-26
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/deepika/id6477533617/reviews.md

## What is Deepika?

The dawn of April 15, 1887 witnessed a rare moment in the history of publishing in Kerala when Deepika, (Nazrani Deepika- as it was initially named) India's first Malayalam Newspaper was first published. A marvel at that time, it was the realization and fulfillment of a long-cherished dream of many, which its Founder Editor Fr. Emmanuel Nidhiry (Nidhirikal Mani Kathanar), a renowned priest and perceptive, creative thinker of those times, initiated and shaped.

The newspaper was initially printed on a crude, hand-made wooden press built by the legendary and far-sighted visionary Carmelite monk, Fr. Kuriakose Elias Chavara (now Saint Chavara) at Mannanam; a remote hamlet near the town of Kottayam in Central Kerala over a quarter century before then. This event further marked the epoch-making but humble dawn of organized, elite, free press journalism in Kerala. The Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (CMI) congregation managed the newspaper till 1989, when it was converted into a Limited Company with public participation named Rashtra Deepika Ltd.; with a view to giving it fresh impetus, added professionalism and new ethos.

The newspaper's founders had high and noble ambitions for this unique project that served as a major milestone in the evolution and advancement of literacy in Kerala. Under the dynamic leadership of Fr. Emmanuel Nidhiri, (a versatile genius and renowned philosopher of those times) and his team of thinkers, Nazrani Deepika marched unflinchingly over the years into the 20th Century, growing in stature and spreading its wings further. The printing frequency gradually increased from weekly to twice a week and later thrice a week. Correspondents and contributors were from virtually all segments of society.

## Key features

- Historical newspaper archive
- Evolution of Kerala journalism
- Founder's vision and impact
- Growth of publication frequency
- Contributions from diverse society

## Recent user reviews (3 of 3)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/deepika/id6477533617/reviews.md

### 5/5 — DEEPIKA

*2026-07-21*

Lit the candle in the dark

### 1/5 — Quality Content Ruined by Ads

*2025-01-21*

Uninstalled. The news content is excellent, which is the only reason for the single star in this review. However, the app is nearly unusable due to the excessive number of pop-up ads, some of which include sound. It would be greatly appreciated if Deepika could invest in skilled UI/UX engineers and prioritize the user experience for consumers trying to use the app.

### 1/5 — Worst experience

*2024-09-28*

Absolutely the worst Malayalam news app I’ve ever used. The quality of the news content is actually good, but unfortunately, it’s impossible to read anything due to the overwhelming ads. Every time you try to access an article, ads pop up constantly, and to make matters worse, there’s always a video ad playing in the background. This ruins the entire experience, making it incredibly frustrating to use. It’s disappointing because the news itself is solid, but the app’s ad overload makes it unusable. I hope the developers fix this soon.

## Frequently asked questions about Deepika

### What is Deepika?

Deepika is an app that provides historical context and information about India's first Malayalam newspaper, which was first published on April 15, 1887. It details the newspaper's origins, its founder's vision, and its evolution over time.

### When was Deepika first published?

The newspaper that the Deepika app is based on, initially named Nazrani Deepika, was first published on April 15, 1887. This marked a significant moment in the history of publishing in Kerala.

### Who founded Deepika?

The founder of the newspaper was Fr. Emmanuel Nidhiry, a renowned priest and thinker. The newspaper's origins are also linked to the vision of Carmelite monk Fr. Kuriakose Elias Chavara.

### What is the age rating for Deepika?

Deepika has an age rating of 17+, indicating it is intended for mature audiences. This is based on the app's content and developer-provided information.

### On which devices can I use Deepika?

Deepika is supported on iPhone, iPad, and iPod devices. It is designed to be accessible on Apple's mobile operating systems.

### How often is Deepika updated?

The latest version of Deepika is 1.0.6, and it was last updated on March 18, 2024. This suggests a relatively recent update cycle for the application.

### Does Deepika have ads?

No, Deepika does not contain advertisements. The app is listed as having no ads, providing an uninterrupted user experience.

### What is the user rating for Deepika?

Deepika has a rating of 2.0 stars from 4 ratings. This indicates a mixed to negative reception from its current user base.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.0.5 — 2026-07-13

Bug fixes and enhancements

### 2.0.4 — 2026-05-02

Bug fixes and enhancements

### 2.0.3 — 2026-04-20

Bug fixes and enhancements

### 2.0.2 — 2026-04-15

• Introducing Deepika Shorts – get quick, bite-sized news updates
• Download Shorts to read later, even when you’re offline
• Bookmark articles to easily revisit your favorite news
• Stay updated with the latest news through improved notifications

### 2.0.1 — 2026-04-11

• Introducing Deepika Shorts – get quick, bite-sized news updates
• Download Shorts to read later, even when you’re offline
• Bookmark articles to easily revisit your favorite news
• Stay updated with the latest news through improved notifications

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-26.*