In a landmark decision, the Union Cabinet has approved the inclusion of five more Indian languages in the list of Classical Languages. Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the announcement on Thursday, highlighting the government’s commitment to preserving India’s ancient linguistic heritage and recognizing the historical and cultural significance of these languages.
The newly added Classical Languages are Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali, joining an exclusive list that celebrates India’s rich literary and intellectual history.
What is a Classical Language?
A Classical Language designation is reserved for languages that possess an extensive body of ancient literature and a long history of written records. These languages reflect the cultural and intellectual achievements of their communities and have greatly contributed to the nation’s cultural fabric.
The History of Classical Language Status
The Government of India first introduced the Classical Language category in 2004, with Tamil becoming the first to receive the designation. Since then, languages that meet specific criteria have been granted this prestigious status. The Sahitya Akademi serves as the nodal agency for the Linguistic Experts Committee, which evaluates languages proposed for recognition.
Criteria for Classical Language Status
To be recognized as a Classical Language, a language must:
- Have a recorded history spanning 1500 to 2000 years.
- Contain ancient texts deemed valuable by generations of speakers.
- Include texts of knowledge, particularly in prose and poetry, as well as evidence from epigraphy and inscriptions.
- The classical language and its literature may differ from their modern forms or may not have a continuous connection with later versions or derivatives.
Full List of Classical Languages in India
- Tamil (2004)
- Sanskrit (2005)
- Telugu (2008)
- Kannada (2008)
- Malayalam (2013)
- Odia (2014)
- Marathi (2024)
- Pali (2024)
- Prakrit (2024)
- Assamese (2024)
- Bengali (2024)