Marathi among 5 languages accorded ‘classical language’ status

Sub: History

Sec: Art and Culture

Context:

The Union Cabinet approved the recognition of Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali as classical languages.
This decision reflects the government’s effort to honor these languages as custodians of India’s cultural heritage.

Significance:

PM Narendra Modi emphasized Marathi as a symbol of Indian pride, stating that the recognition would encourage more people to learn the language.
While these languages are primarily linked to states like Maharashtra (Marathi), Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh (Pali and Prakrit), West Bengal (Bengali), and Assam (Assamese), the broader impact will extend nationally and internationally.

Background on Classical Language Status

In October 2004, the Centre introduced the category of classical languages with Tamil as the first.
The recognition of a classical language is based on criteria established by a Linguistic Experts Committee.
According to the committee, the following revised benchmarks must be met for a language to be considered “classical”:
- 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.
Recognised Classical Languages are: Tamil ( 2004), Sanskrit (2005), Telugu( 2008), Kannada (2008), Malayalam( 2013) and Odia (2014).

Benefits of Classical Language Status:

Once a language is designated as classical, the Ministry of Education provides various benefits to promote it, including:
- Two major international awards annually for scholars of eminence in the language.
- Establishment of a Centre of Excellence for Studies in the Classical Language.
- Requesting the University Grants Commission (UGC) to create Professional Chairs in Central Universities dedicated to the classical language.

Institutional Support for Classical Languages:

The Ministry of Education has taken steps to promote these languages, such as:
- Establishing three central universities in 2020 to promote Sanskrit.
- The Central Institute of Classical Tamil facilitates translations of ancient Tamil texts and offers courses.
- Centres of Excellence for Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, and Odia were also set up to promote these classical languages.

Source: IE