World Sanskrit Day or Vishwa Sanskrit Diwas is a significant event that falls on the Purnima Tithi (full moon) of Shravana month every year. Marked with global celebrations on 31st August in 2023, this day is notably recognized for honoring the birth anniversary of Paṇini, an eminent Sanskrit scholar and grammarian.
Origins of World Sanskrit Day
The origins of World Sanskrit Day trace back to 1969 when it was first celebrated. This day has since become a platform to show reverence and gratitude towards one of the oldest languages – Sanskrit.
Significance of the Sanskrit Language
Sanskrit, an Indo-Aryan language, is amongst the world’s ancient languages and is revered as the mother of many Indian languages. This language is believed to have originated 3500 years ago and is often labeled as Dev Vani, translating to ‘the language of the deities.’
Different Forms of Sanskrit
Sanskrit language comprises two distinct forms: Vedic and Classical. Vedic Sanskrit is the older and more archaic form of Sanskrit, which is evidenced in the Rig Veda, the Upanishads, and the Puranas. On the other hand, Classical Sanskrit is the later and more standardized form of Sanskrit, largely based on the grammar rules established by Panini. Classical Sanskrit is prevalently used in literature, philosophy, science, and art.
Sanskrit in the Indian Constitution
The Indian Constitution acknowledges Sanskrit as one of the 22 official languages included in the Eight Schedule. It is also amongst the six Classical languages apart from Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Odia. In 2010, the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand declared Sanskrit as their second official language.
Sanskrit and Daily Life in India
Interestingly, the entire population of Mattur village in Karnataka communicates in Sanskrit, thus keeping the language alive in daily conversation.
Classical Language Status
In recent years, several languages have been granted the status of ‘Classical Language’ by the Government of India. As per the UPSC Civil Services Examination in 2014, Gujarati, Kannada, and Telugu were considered, out of which Kannada and Telugu received the designation.
Constitution Amendment Acts and Languages
The Constitution Amendment Acts have played a significant role in the inclusion of languages in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India. According to the UPSC Civil Services examination in 2008, the Constitution (Ninety-second Amendment) Act succeeded in adding four languages, thereby increasing their count to 22.
