Syllabus
GS Paper I – Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
Context
The government has recently announced that five Indian languages will be given the status of classical languages.
Classical Languages of India
Introduction
The recent decision by the Union Cabinet to confer classical language status on five Indian languages, including Marathi and Bengali, has sparked discussions and debates among scholars and language enthusiasts. This move, which came after the relaxation of a key provision requiring languages to have an original literary tradition, has raised questions about the criteria for designating a language as classical. While some argue that this decision is a long-overdue recognition of the rich literary and cultural heritage of these languages, others express concerns about the potential implications for language preservation and promotion.
Classical Languages of India: A Recognition of Rich Heritage
- What is a classical language?
- A classical language is an ancient language with independent traditions and a rich literary history that continues to influence various literary styles and philosophical texts.
- Need for classical status
- To recognize the historical significance and role of the language as a guardian of Bharat’s rich cultural and intellectual heritage.
- Introduction
- The concept of classical language status was first introduced in India in 2004.
- Tamil was the first language to receive this prestigious status in 2004.
- Responsible authority
- Initially, the Ministry of Home Affairs was responsible for implementing the classical language policy.
- In 2005, the Ministry of Culture took over the responsibility for further implementations and future recognitions.
- Linguistic Experts Committee (LEC)
- The Ministry of Culture established the LEC to assess future proposals for recognizing classical languages.
- The LEC comprises representatives from the Union Ministries of Home and Culture, along with four to five linguistic experts.
- The committee is chaired by the president of the Sahitya Akademi.
- The LEC was established in 2004 and has been operational since then.
- Importance
- By recognizing a language as classical, the government acknowledges its deep-rooted antiquity, vast literary traditions, and invaluable contribution to the cultural fabric of the nation.
Criteria for Classical Language Status in India
- Criteria in 2004
- High antiquity: Early texts or recorded history dating back over a thousand years.
- Valuable heritage: A body of ancient literature or texts considered a precious legacy by generations of speakers.
- Originality: The literary tradition must be unique and not derived from another language community.
- Revision of criteria
- The criteria for classical language status have been revised twice, in 2005 and 2024, based on the recommendations of the Linguistic Experts Committees (LEC).
- The LEC’s suggestions have helped refine the criteria to better reflect the diversity and complexity of India’s linguistic heritage.
| Criteria | 2005 | 2024 |
| High antiquity | Over 1500-2000 years | Over 1500-2000 years |
| Valuable heritage | A body of ancient literature/texts | A body of ancient literature/texts |
| Originality | Must be original | Not a requirement |
| Discontinuity | May be distinct from modern forms | Could be distinct from current form |
| Knowledge texts | Not mentioned | Required (prose, epigraphical, inscriptional) |
As of October 2024, India has a total of 11 classical languages. This includes the five languages that were recently added in 2024. The list of classical languages in India, along with the year they were declared and the notifying ministry, is as follows: Tamil (2004, Ministry of Home Affairs), Sanskrit (2005, Ministry of Home Affairs), Kannada (2008, Ministry of Culture), Telugu (2008, Ministry of Culture), Malayalam (2013, Ministry of Culture), Odia (2014, Ministry of Culture), Marathi (2024, Ministry of Culture), Pali (2024, Ministry of Culture), Prakrit (2024, Ministry of Culture), and Assamese (2024, Ministry of Culture), and Bengali(2024, Ministry of Culture).
Features of the Newly Declared Classical Languages
Prakrit
- Vernacular of the common people: Prakrit was the language spoken by the ordinary people in ancient India.
- Language of heterodox religions: It was also the language of non-orthodox religions like Buddhism and Jainism.
- Derived from Sanskrit: The term “Prakrit” comes from the Sanskrit word “prakriti,” which means “source” or “origin.”
- Linguistic group: Prakrit belongs to the Middle Indo-Aryan languages.
- Different dialects: Prakrit had various dialects, including:
- Magadhi: The official language of the Mauryan court and used in the Ashokan edicts. It evolved into modern-day languages such as Bengali, Assamese, Odia, Bhojpuri, Magahi, and Maithili.
- Ardhamagadhi: Literally “half-Magadhi,” prominently used by Jain scholars.
- Shauraseni: Used by lower-class women and in plays. It later evolved into Hindustani, Punjabi, and other languages of the Hindi group.
Pali
- Variant of Ardhamagadhi Prakrit: Pali is a variant of the Ardhamagadhi dialect of Prakrit.
- Language of Theravada Buddhist canon: It was the primary language of the Theravada Buddhist scriptures.
- Linguistic group: Pali also belongs to the Middle Indo-Aryan languages.
- Survival as a religious language: After the decline of Theravada Buddhism in India, Pali continued to be used as a religious language in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia, where this Buddhist school thrived.
Marathi
- Indo-Aryan language: Marathi belongs to the Indo-Aryan language family and is derived from early forms of Prakrit.
- Official language: Marathi is the official language of the state of Maharashtra and the Union Territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.
- Use in Goa: While Konkani is the official language of Goa, Marathi is sometimes used for official purposes.
Assamese
- Indo-Aryan language: Assamese also belongs to the Indo-Aryan language family.
- Official language: Assamese is the official language of the state of Assam.
Bengali
- India-European language: Bengali belongs to the India-European language family.
- Official language: Bengali is the official language of West Bengal, Tripura, the Barak Valley region of Assam, Jharkhand (as an additional official language), and Bangladesh.
Steps taken in promoting Classical Languages in India
- Establishment of universities: In 2020, three Central Universities were established through an Act of Parliament to promote Sanskrit.
- Central Institute of Classical Tamil: This institute was created to facilitate the translation of ancient Tamil texts, promote research, and offer courses for university students and language scholars.
- Centers for Excellence: Centers for studies in Classical Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, and Odia were established under the auspices of the Central Institute of Indian Languages in Mysuru.
- Recognition through awards: Several national and international awards have been introduced to recognize and encourage achievements in the field of Classical Languages.
- Chairs in universities: As recommended by the University Grants Commission (UGC), professional chairs in central universities were established to promote classical languages.
Impact of Classical Language Status
- Revives intellectual and cultural identity: Classical language status encourages scholarly research, preservation, and the revitalization of ancient texts and knowledge systems.
- Promotes national integration: It instills a sense of pride and ownership among the speakers of these languages.
- Self-reliance: This aligns with the broader vision of a self-reliant and culturally rooted India.
- Elevates stature and ensures continued relevance: Classical language status elevates the stature of these languages and ensures their continued relevance in the modern world.
- Employment generation: It creates significant employment opportunities, particularly in academic and research fields. Additionally, the preservation, documentation, and digitization of ancient texts will generate jobs in archiving, translation, publishing, and digital media.
Step ahead
- Continued government support: The government should continue to provide technical and financial assistance for the development and preservation of classical languages.
- Promotion of academic and cultural initiatives: Efforts should be made to increase public awareness and motivate more scholars to contribute to language development through academic and cultural initiatives.
- Research and documentation: Literary provisions should be researched, documented, and transmitted to future generations.
Conclusion
The conferment of classical language status on five Indian languages is a significant step towards recognizing and preserving the country’s rich linguistic and cultural heritage. While this move has garnered support and enthusiasm, it is essential to address the challenges associated with language preservation and promotion. By investing in research, education, and cultural initiatives, India can ensure that these classical languages continue to thrive and contribute to the nation’s intellectual and cultural landscape.
Related PYQ
Persian literary sources of medieval India reflect the spirit of the age. Comment. [UPSC CSE – 2020 Mains]
Practice Question
Discuss the significance of classical language status in India and analyze the criteria and process for conferring this status. Examine the impact of classical language status on the preservation, promotion, and development of these languages. [150 words]
Guidelines for Answering the Question
- Introduction: Briefly define classical languages and explain the significance of conferring classical language status in India.
- Criteria and Process: Discuss the criteria that languages must meet to be declared classical, including changes over time. Explain the process involved in the assessment and declaration of classical language status.
- Impact on Preservation, Promotion, and Development: Analyze the positive and negative impacts of classical language status on the preservation, promotion, and development of these languages. Consider factors such as government support, academic initiatives, and public awareness.
- Challenges and Way Forward: Identify the challenges faced by classical languages and suggest potential solutions to ensure their continued relevance and growth.