About MFRD
Dedicated to advancing knowledge and preserving cultural heritage through scholarly research and educational excellence.
Malaibar Foundation for Research and Development is a non-profit organization dedicated to research, training, publication, and heritage preservation. Our work centers on the humanities and social sciences, where we develop innovative approaches to knowledge and strive to build models of human potential enriched with diverse ethical dimensions. By integrating modern tools and methods including digital humanities we enhance research, documentation, and the dissemination of knowledge. Our dynamic team of young researchers, historians, performers, and cataloguers works collaboratively to advance scholarship and cultural understanding.
We respond to the growing demand for deeper intellectual, cultural, and historical engagement with the Global South. Approaching it both as a construct and as an ongoing process, we examine its epic histories, knowledge traditions, and vibrant cultural heritage. A key focus of our mission is the preservation of indigenous and traditional knowledge, including scattered and endangered practices, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Through this commitment, we enable knowledge seekers worldwide to access cultural heritage in meaningful ways and to contribute to the creation of new, globally relevant systems of knowledge.
The Name "Malaibar"
Malaibar, historically known as Malabar, is a coastal region in modern South India along the Arabian Sea of the Indian Ocean. Early sources refer to the region as Malabar, Mulaibar, and Malaibar, as seen in references like Shaykh Zaynuddin Makhdum al-Malaibarri. Its sandy shores served as a key stop for sailors from Arabia, Europe, and Africa, bringing diverse cultural, musical, mystical, and social influences. Combined with Malabar’s rich heritage, these exchanges created a unique milieu of assimilation, acceptance, and tolerance that continues to shape the region today. Across South Indian states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka, as well as islands such as the Lakshadweep and Andaman and Nicobar, Malabar emerged as a cosmopolitan hub in medieval times.
Malaibar became a major centre of knowledge and culture, producing thousands of texts, manuscripts, and other materials. It nurtured numerous scholars, learning institutions, and cultural centres, contributing to philosophy, literature, law, and the arts. Its people incorporated foreign influences into daily life, resulting in distinctive music, folk traditions, and artistic expressions. Long before modern globalization, Malabar exemplified “glocalization,” connecting the local with the global and establishing itself as a culturally and intellectually rich region on the world map.
Our Values
Vision
To build a globally integrated humanity through the interconnection of people, knowledge, and culture.
Mission
To conduct original and impactful research that benefits societies worldwide, fostering understanding and development across diverse communities.
Core Values
Academic excellence, cultural integrity, inclusive scholarship, and commitment to preserving humanity's shared heritage.
Our Activities
Malaibar Foundation engages in research, publications, training, and heritage preservation by connecting like-minded scholars worldwide. Our work provides valuable resources and insights to civil society, policymakers, and researchers globally. As the parent organization for all its initiatives—including the Malaibar Rare Book and Manuscript Library (MRBML), Malaibar Centre for Folklore Studies, Malaibar Sound Archives, Malaibar Store, and Malaibar Press—the foundation oversees and coordinates all projects, ensuring excellence, coherence, and impact across its units.
Research Programs
Comprehensive research initiatives covering history, law, culture, literature, Islamic studies, and social sciences.
Publication House
Malaibar Press publishes scholarly works, cultural texts, and heritage documentation to share knowledge globally.
Heritage Preservation
Digitization and preservation of rare manuscripts, sound archives, and cultural artifacts for future generations.
Training & Education
Educational programs, workshops, and skill development initiatives in various academic and cultural domains.
Excited to Explore Our Work?
Discover how our integrated approach to research, publication, heritage preservation, and education creates lasting impact in academic and cultural spheres.