Recently, the Indian Union Cabinet granted classical status to five languages: Marathi, Bengali, Assamese, Pali, and Prakrit. This decision, made just before the Maharashtra Assembly elections, has ignited political discussions, with parties like the BJP and Congress vying for credit. Beyond political implications, this move is anticipated to encourage research and literary translation in these languages, enhancing their cultural significance.
Definition of Classical Languages
Classical languages are defined by their ancient and independent literary traditions. They possess an important body of written literature that is considered classical. Unlike modern languages, classical languages often have no contemporary spoken form, as seen with Latin and Sanskrit. The Government of India first introduced the classical language status in 2004, establishing criteria that included a minimum of a thousand years of recorded history and a body of ancient literature that is culturally .
Criteria for Classical Status
The initial criteria for declaring a language classical were refined in 2005. The requirements shifted to a historical context of 1,500 to 2,000 years, emphasising the need for the language to be distinct from its modern variations. The first language to receive this status was Tamil, followed by Sanskrit, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Odia. Notably, no new classical languages were recognised during two terms of the BJP-led NDA government until the recent announcement.
The Path to Recognition
The journey for Marathi to gain classical status began in 2013 when Maharashtra proposed the idea. The Pathare committee was formed to gather evidence, leading to a comprehensive report submitted to the Union Culture Ministry. Over the years, various state governments, both BJP and Shiv Sena, advocated for this recognition, supported by popular movements that included extensive public engagement.
Amended Criteria and Inclusion of New Languages
The recent amendments to the criteria allowed for a broader definition of classical languages. The Linguistic Experts Committee removed the stipulation that the literary tradition must be entirely original. This change facilitated the inclusion of languages like Bengali and Assamese, which have rich literary histories dating back to ancient times. For instance, Assamese’s roots can be traced to the third century AD, supported by stone inscriptions and ancient manuscripts.
Implications for Newly Declared Classical Languages
The recognition of these languages is expected to enhance their cultural and academic standing. For instance, Bengali, with its rich literary heritage including works by Rabindranath Tagore, is poised for increased research funding and translation projects. Similarly, the classical status for Assamese aims to preserve its ancient forms while promoting its modern usage, especially in the face of rising English-medium education.
Support for Language Development
The government has provisions for grants aimed at language development and research for classical languages. This includes funding for universities, research centres, and initiatives to preserve older forms of these languages. The financial support varies , with Tamil receiving over ₹51 crore in the past decade, while Malayalam has garnered ₹3.7 crore since 2020. Such funding is crucial for researchers and scholars aiming to explore and translate classical texts.
Questions for UPSC:
- Discuss the criteria for a language to be classified as classical in India.
- Examine the socio-political implications of granting classical status to languages in India.
- Analyse the impact of classical language status on literary translation and research.
- Evaluate the historical significance of Assamese and Bengali in the context of classical languages.
- What measures can be taken to preserve the heritage of newly declared classical languages?
