On Thursday, the Indian government announced that five more languages have received the prestigious status of “classical languages.” This recognition is significant because it highlights the rich heritage and cultural importance of these languages. The languages newly awarded this status include Marathi, Bengali, Pali, Prakrit, and Assamese.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared this news during a media briefing. He explained that classical languages are those that have a long literary history and a unique cultural significance. This status helps promote and preserve these languages, encouraging their use in literature, education, and everyday life.
The decision to grant classical language status to these five languages was made during a meeting of the Union Cabinet, which is led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. By recognizing these languages, the government aims to celebrate India’s diverse linguistic heritage and ensure that these languages continue to thrive for future generations.
India Expands Classical Language Recognition
The Union Cabinet has officially recognized five more languages as “classical,” according to Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. This decision expands the list of languages that hold significant cultural importance in India.
The newly recognized languages are Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali. During the announcement, Vaishnaw emphasized Prime Minister Modi’s commitment to promoting Indian languages. He stated, “Today, five languages—Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali—have been approved as classical languages.”
These five languages join the six others already acknowledged as classical: Tamil, Sanskrit, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Odia. This classification aims to enhance academic and cultural interest in these languages, paving the way for more research and preservation efforts for these ancient tongues.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed his appreciation on X (formerly Twitter) for Assamese being granted classical language status. He wrote, “On behalf of the people of Assam, I extend my gratitude to Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji and the entire Union Cabinet for the historic decision to accord Assamese the status of Classical Language.”
Sarma highlighted the importance of this recognition, stating, “This exemplifies the unique civilizational roots of Assam that have withstood the test of time. With today’s decision, we shall be able to better preserve our beloved mother tongue, which not only unites our society but also forms an unbroken link to the ancient wisdom of Assam’s saints, thinkers, writers, and philosophers.”
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Criteria for Classical Language Recognition
The recognition of a language as “classical” is determined by a set of criteria established by a Linguistic Experts Committee. For a language to be classified as classical, it must meet the following revised benchmarks:
High Antiquity: The language should have a history that spans over 1,000 years, with early texts and recorded usage demonstrating its long-standing significance.
Ancient Literature: There must be a substantial body of ancient literature or texts that have been valued as cultural heritage by generations of speakers. This literature reflects the language’s historical and cultural importance.
Knowledge Texts: In addition to poetic works, the language should possess a corpus of prose that includes knowledge texts, as well as epigraphical and inscriptional evidence. This showcases the language’s role in documenting knowledge and ideas over time.
Distinct Evolution: The classical language and its literature should be distinct from its modern forms. This may involve significant evolution or changes over time, resulting in possible discontinuity from its original structure.
These criteria ensure that languages recognized as classical possess historical depth and contribute to their communities’ cultural and intellectual heritage.
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FAQs
Q.1. What are the newly recognized classical languages in India?
Ans. The newly recognized classical languages are Marathi, Bengali, Pali, Prakrit, and Assamese.
Q.2. Who announced the recognition of these classical languages?
Ans. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the recognition during a media briefing.
Q.3. What is the significance of classical language status?
Ans. Classical language status highlights the rich cultural heritage and encourages the preservation and promotion of these languages in literature and education.
Q.4. How many languages are now recognized as classical in India?
Ans. With the new additions, a total of eleven languages are recognized as classical in India.
Q.5. What criteria must a language meet to be classified as classical?
Ans. A language must have high antiquity, a body of ancient literature, knowledge texts, and distinct evolution from its modern forms to be classified as classical.
