Classical Languages: Key points

Here are the key points about classical languages which are important for various competitive examinations.

The Rajya Sabha recently approved a Bill that would have given three designated Sanskrit colleges the rank of Central colleges.

• The Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan, Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeeth, and the Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeeth in Tirupati all receive Central classification under the Central Sanskrit Universities Bill, 2019, respectively.
• Other Indian traditional languages have been charged with being neglected by the government.

Classical Languages: Key points

• Currently, Tamil (announced in 2004), Sanskrit (2005), Kannada (2008), Telugu (2008), Malayalam (2013), and Odia are the six Indian languages with the title “Classical.” (2014).
• The Constitution’s Eighth Schedule contains a summary of all classical languages.
• The rules governing classical languages are provided by the Ministry of Culture.
• Following certain criteria, a language can be deemed “Classical”:
  • High age of its earliest writings and history as preserved over a time span of 1500–2000 years;
  • A collection of prehistoric literature or documents that have been cherished by speakers for centuries;
  • The literary heritage must be unique and uninspired by literature from another speaking group;
  • There may be a break between the classical language and its subsequent forms or offshoots because classical language and writing are different from modern.
• The Human Resource and Development Ministry offers the following advantages to support languages once they are designated as Classical languages:
  • Two significant yearly worldwide prizes for eminent classical Indian language researchers
  • There is now a Center of Excellence for Classical Language Studies.
  • A specific number of Professional Chairs for the so-declared Classical Languages are to be created, at least in the Central Universities, by the University Grants Commission.