About New Classical Languages of India: UPSC Current Affairs

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Context:

The Union Cabinet has declared Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali as "classical languages".

Details

The Union Cabinet approved the addition of five languages; Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali in the "classical language" category. Before this decision, six languages had already been granted classical status; Tamil, Sanskrit, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Odia.

The Union government currently recognizes 11 languages as classical languages:

Tamil was the first to get classical language status in 2004.
Sanskrit was recognized in 2005.
Telugu and Kannada were recognized in 2008.
Malayalam was added in 2013.
Odia was recognized in 2014.
Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali in 2024

The Union Government in 2004 has established the criteria for recognizing languages as classical, it was based on the committee of linguistic experts set up by the Ministry of Culture.

Classical Language Criteria

High Antiquity: Early texts/recorded history over a period of 1500-2000 years.
Ancient Literature: A body of ancient literature/texts considered a valuable heritage.
Originality: The literary tradition should be original and not borrowed from another speech community.
Distinctiveness: The classical language and literature should be distinct from modern forms

Language	Cultural Importance
Tamil	Tamil is one of the oldest languages still spoken today. It has a unique script and a rich history of literature, including the ancient Sangam poems that talk about love and nature.
Sanskrit	Sanskrit is known as the language of ancient Indian scriptures, like the Vedas and Upanishads. It has complex grammar and a vast vocabulary that has influenced many modern Indian languages.
Telugu	Telugu boasts a long literary tradition with important poets like Nannaya and Tikkana. It has beautiful scripts and is known for its poetic expressions.
Kannada	Kannada has a diverse literary heritage with classic works dating back over a thousand years. Writers like Kuvempu have made significant contributions to Kannada literature.
Malayalam	Malayalam has a strong literary tradition, with classic poetry and modern literature. It features unique forms like Pattu, which includes folk songs and stories.
Odia	Odia has a rich history of literature, including works by poets like Jayadeva. It is known for its classical poetry and drama, reflecting the region's culture.
Marathi	Marathi literature features diverse forms, including novels, poetry, and drama. Writers like P. L. Deshpande have enriched Marathi literature with humour and social commentary.
Pali	Pali is mostly known for being the language of the Buddhist scriptures. It has a simple structure and has influenced several modern languages.
Prakrit	Prakrit was used in many ancient texts, especially in Jain and Buddhist literature. It reflects the linguistic evolution in India.
Assamese	Assamese has a strong literary tradition with notable works by poets and authors. The Buranji literature chronicles the history and culture of Assam.
Bengali	Bengali is known for its vibrant literary background, with famous authors like Rabindranath Tagore. It has a wide range of genres, from poetry to novels.

When a language is declared classical, it receives various benefits:

Two major international awards are given annually to scholars who excel in classical Indian languages, this recognition encourages research and scholarship in these languages.
Establish a Centre of Excellence for Studies in Classical Languages to promote research and learning to enhance the study of classical languages.
The University Grants Commission creates professional chairs for classical languages in central universities to help scholars gain recognition and support for their work.

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Source:

Hindustan Times

Wikipedia