Malayalam, a Classical Language ?

Malayalam language and the Classical status

The issue of inclusion of Malayalam under the Classical Language group is being discussed these days. Representations from top Malayalam literary personalities have gone to the Central Government through the State Government. The State Government also have taken keen interest in this issue. However, the decision by the Central Government will be based on certain conditions published in the Gazette of India.

The notification goes like this.

It has been decided by the Government of India to create a new category of languages as "Classical Languages".

The following criteria will be used to determine the eligibility of languages to be considered for classification as a 'Classical Language':-

i. High antiquity of its early texts/ recorded history over a thousand years.

ii. A body of ancient literature/texts, which is considered a valuable heritage by generations of speakers.

iii.The literary tradition be original and not borrowed from another speech community.

Once the classical status is given to a language certain benefits also have been declared by the Government through the Gazette notification.

It is also notified that the 'Tamil Language' satisfies the criteria cited in the above para and henceforth be classified as a 'Classical Language'.

Whereas the Government of India have further decided that the following benefits shall be available to the language declared or notified as classical language:-

i. The major international awards for scholars of eminence in Classical Indian Languages are awarded annually.

ii. Centres of Excellence for studies in classical languages is set up.

iii.The University Grants Commission be requested to create, to start with at least in the Central Universities, a certain number of Professional Charts for Classical Languages for scholars of eminence in Classical Indian Languages.

Through another notification the Government have amended the clause on antiquity as " High antiquity of its early texts/ recorded history over a period of 1,500 to 2,000 years."

Sanskrit language also was granted the Classical status as per this notification.