Classical languages

What are ‘Classical’ languages in India, and how are they classified?

Currently, six languages enjoy the ‘Classical’ status:

1. Tamil (declared in 2004)
2. Sanskrit (2005)
3. Kannada (2008)
4. Telugu (2008)
5. Malayalam (2013) and
6. Odia (2014)

According to information provided by the Ministry of Culture in the Rajya Sabha in February 2014, the guidelines for declaring a language as ‘Classical’ are:

(i) High antiquity of its early texts/recorded history over a period of 1500-2000 years;

(ii) A body of ancient literature/texts, which is considered a valuable heritage by generations of speakers;

(iii) The literary tradition be original and not borrowed from another speech community;

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

How are the Classical languages promoted?

The Human Resource and Development Ministry in its reply to a starred question in the Lok Sabha in July 2014 noted the benefits it provides once a language is notified as a Classical language:

1. Two major annual international awards for scholars of eminence in classical Indian languages
2. A Centre of Excellence for studies in Classical Languages is set up
3. The University Grants Commission is requested to create, to start with at least in the Central Universities, a certain number of Professional Chairs for the Classical Languages so declared.”