Classical Languages
- Context (TH): Classical language status to Marathi, Bengali, Assamese, Pali & Prakrit.
- Earlier, India had 6 classical languages — Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Sanskrit, and Odia.
- Tamil was the first language to be given classical status in 2004, followed by Sanskrit in 2005.
- The criteria for bestowing classical status were revised by the Linguistics Experts Committee, chaired by the Sahitya Academy.
- The Linguistics Expert Committee comprises representatives of the Union Ministries of Home, Culture and four or five linguistic experts at any given time.
What is a Classical Language?
- Classical languages are ancient languages with independent traditions and a rich literary history that continue to influence various literary styles and philosophical texts.
List of Classical Languages
- Tamil (2004)
- Sanskrit (2005)
- Kannada (2008)
- Telugu (2008)
- Malayalam (2013)
- Odia (2014)
- Marathi (2024)
- Bengali (2024)
- Assamese (2024)
- Pali (2024)
- Prakrit (2024)
Criteria for declaring a language as ‘Classical’
- The recognition of a classical language is based on criteria established by a Linguistic Experts Committee. They are:
- High antiquity of (its) is early texts/recorded history over a period of 1500- 2000 years.
- A body of ancient literature/texts, which is considered a heritage by generations of speakers.
- Knowledge texts, especially prose texts in addition to poetry, epigraphical and inscriptional evidence.
- The Classical Languages and literature could be distinct from its current form or could be discontinuous with later forms of its offshoots.
Benefits of being a Classical Language
- The Ministry of Education provides specific benefits to promote the classical languages:
- Two major annual international awards for scholars of eminence in classical Indian languages.
- Centre of Excellence for Studies in Classical Languages.
- The University Grants Commission is requested to create several professional chairs for classical languages in the Central Universities.
