India has six designated classical languages — Tamil, Sanskrit, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Odia.
- Tamil was declared a classical language in 2004, Sanskrit in 2005, Kannada in 2008, Telugu in 2008, Malayalam in 2013, and Odia in 2014.
Demand for autonomy
- While four of the centres for classical languages function under the aegis of the Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL), Mysuru, the centre for Tamil is autonomous. For the promotion of Sanskrit, dedicated universities also receive funds directly from the Union Education Ministry.
- The Project Directors of the centres for the promotion of four classical languges; Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Odia demanded demanded autonomy in their functioning in order to better carry out their functions.
- The chief problem facing these four language centres was that any event or activity planned for them had to get financial sanction from the CIIL.
- Many positions for research scholars as well as administrative staff remain vacant in the absence of regular funds. At the Centre of Excellence for Studies in Classical Telugu in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, as against an approved staff requirement of 36 people, only 12 are on board.
Classical language criteria
- High antiquity of its early texts/recorded history over a period of 1500-2000 years;
- A body of ancient literature/texts, which is considered a valuable heritage by generations of speakers;
- The literary tradition be original and not borrowed from another speech community;
- The classical language and literature being distinct from modern, there may also be a discontinuity between the classical language and its later forms or its offshoots.
Benefits of classical languages
- Two major annual international awards for scholars of eminence in the said languages,
- A Centre of Excellence for Studies in the classical language is set up,
- The University Grants Commission is requested to create to start with a certain number of Chairs for the classical language at least in the Central Universities.
