Source: PIB
Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the Union Cabinet’s decision to grant Classical Language status to Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali, highlighting their rich literary and cultural heritage.
About Classical Language Status Criteria:
The government’s criteria for declaring a language as classical include the following:
- Historical antiquity: The language should have a documented history of at least 1,500-2,000 years.
- Cultural heritage: It should have a body of ancient literature that is regarded as a cultural heritage.
- Literary tradition: The language should have an original literary tradition, not borrowed from another community.
- Distinctness: There should be a clear distinction between the classical language and its later forms, indicating a discontinuity.
Presently recognised language under Classical language:
| Language | Year of Recognition |
| Tamil | 2004 |
| Sanskrit | 2005 |
| Telugu | 2008 |
| Kannada | 2008 |
| Malayalam | 2013 |
| Odia | 2014 |
Benefits of Classical Language Status:
- International awards: Two major international awards are conferred annually for scholars of eminence in the classical language.
- Center of excellence: The government establishes a dedicated Centre of Excellence for studies related to the classical language.
- Promotion and research: Grants and funding are provided to promote the study, research, and dissemination of the classical language and its literature.
- Educational support: Programs are established in universities and institutes to support academic activities around classical languages.
Insta links:
