6 INDIAN CLASSICAL LANGUAGES

In this article, we will discuss about: what are the six classical languages of India? What is meant by Classical language status? What are the criteria for receiving Classical language title? What are the advantages of getting the Classical language status? 

Ministry of Tourism and Culture has granted classical language status to six Indian languages which are Tamil, Sanskrit, Telugu, Kannada, Malyalam and Odiya. The six Indian Classical languages get financial grants from the Government for setting up Centre of Excellence to promote study of these languages and the two eminent scholars of these languages are granted an award each year.

CLASSICAL LANGUAGES OF INDIA

There are 6 Indian languages which have been accorded Classical status by the Ministry of Tourism & Culture, Government of India. The six classical languages in India are as follows :

• Tamil (2004) [first Indian classical language]
• Sanskrit (2005)
• Telugu (2008)
• Kannada (2009)
• Malayalam (2013)
• Odiya (2014)

"Every language is a temple in which the soul of those who speak is enshrined..." said by American author Oliver Wendell Holmes

What is Classical Language ?

In India, the word "classical" was first used by orientalist scholars to distinguish the worldly Sanskrit from its holy form used in Vedic lore. They had in mind its use in the west as something concerning art, literature and architecture of ancient Greece and Rome. Thus, Sanskrit in its ornate form was designed a classical language.

Classical language are those which are ancient, of an independent nature and not a derivative of any other tradition. These criteria were used to grant classical language status to two languages, first to Tamil language in 2004 and then to Sanskrit in 2005 on the recommendation of Gopi Chand Naren Committee. Five languages of the world listed under this classification : Chinese, Arabic, Greek, Latin and Sanskrit.

Criteria to classify a language as Classical

There are four criteria's taken into consideration for giving a language "Classical" status. 

1) High antiquity of its early texts/recorded history over a period of 1500-2000 years.

2) A body of ancient literature/texts, which is considered a valuable heritage by generation of speakers.

3) The literary tradition be original and not borrowed from another speech community.

4) The classical language and literature being distinct from modern, may also be a discontinuity between the classical language and its later forms or its offshoots.

Languages and their families :

Sanskrit : Indo-European family

Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam : Dravidian family

Odiya : Indo-Aryan family

Advantages of being given status of Classical Language:

1) Gets financial assistance for setting up a Centre of Excellence for the study of that language.

2) Annually Government of India gives two awards for scholars of eminence.

3) University Grants Commission can be requested to create - to begin with atleast in Central Universities - a certain number of professional chairs for classical languages for scholars of eminence in the language.

Issue:

PIL submitted in Madras High Court to remove Classical language status from Kannada, Malayalam, Telugu and Odiya.

Except Tamil, no other South Indian languages should be granted Classical language as they are derived from Tamil & have come under the influence of Sanskrit over years. Hence Kannada, Malayalam and Telugu have imbibed many Sanskrit words within it for being evolved to the present shape. So these languages do not qualify the "Criteria standards" put forth by the government (antiquity, original).

Languages granted classical status due to political considerations - vote bank, grant from central funds for development and promotion of language (Centre of Excellence, Awards, Professional Chairs)

It was not necessary that for promotion of a language, it must be declared a classical language. The central as well as state governments are well within their rights to promote the languages and culture of this country by allocating funds which is actually in practice by all the states.

Demand to grant "Classical" status to other languages like: Marathi.

Note:

*********

If the article was helpful, don't forget to like, share or comment on it. It will help us improve the quality of material.