Gundert Museum, Language museum in Thalassery, India
This museum occupies a 19th-century building on a hilltop in Illikkunnu that blends traditional Kerala design with exhibition spaces. It displays manuscripts, printed works, and research materials tracing the growth of the Malayalam language and its written forms.
A German missionary arrived at this house in 1839 and spent two decades studying Malayalam and creating the first dictionary of the language. His work with printing equipment led to the launch of the earliest newspapers published in Malayalam.
The building reflects how linguistic work shaped connections between communities in the region. Visitors can see how the collection documents the development of local language and literature, showing what mattered to people here.
The museum is located outside central Thalassery and is best reached by car or taxi. The site is well signposted, and the path climbs uphill, so comfortable footwear is recommended.
Visitors can see the original printing equipment that was actually used to produce the first newspapers in Malayalam language. This rare machinery offers a tangible connection to how information was spread in the 1800s.
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