Centres Demand Autonomy for Classical Language Promotion
Kartavya Desk Staff
Syllabus: Arts and Culture
- •Source: Th*
Context: The centres for the promotion of classical languages Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Odia are demanding autonomy to improve their functioning.
What is the issue involved?
• Current System: Under the current system, these centres operate under the Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL), Mysuru, which requires pre-approval for events and has caused staffing and funding issues.
• Funding and Staffing:
• Telugu and Odia Centres: Facing delays and funding issues; staff positions remain unfilled. Malayalam Centre: Only two staff members, struggling with financial constraints.
• Telugu and Odia Centres: Facing delays and funding issues; staff positions remain unfilled.
• Malayalam Centre: Only two staff members, struggling with financial constraints.
• Comparison: Tamil and Sanskrit centres are autonomous and funded directly by the Union Education Ministry. Tamil language is promoted through an autonomous institute named Central Institute of Classical Tamil (CICT). Sanskrit is promoted through three Central Universities.
Currently, six languages enjoy the ‘Classical language’ status in India. These are Tamil (declared in 2004), Sanskrit (2005), Kannada (2008), Telugu (2008), Malayalam (2013), and Odia (2014).
Criteria for classical language status: The Government has over time given the following criteria to determine the declaration of a language as a Classical language:
• 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 should 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 having classical language criteria:
• The Ministry of Human Resource and Development provide the following benefits to a language declared as a “Classical Language.” Two major international awards for scholars of eminence in Classical Indian Languages are to be awarded annually. A ‘Centre of Excellence for Studies in Classical Languages’ will be set up. The University Grants Commission will be requested to create and to start with at least in the Central Universities, a certain number of Professional Chairs for Classical Languages for scholars of eminence in Classical Indian Languages.
• Two major international awards for scholars of eminence in Classical Indian Languages are to be awarded annually.
• A ‘Centre of Excellence for Studies in Classical Languages’ will be set up.
• The University Grants Commission will be requested to create and to start with at least in the Central Universities, a certain number of Professional Chairs for Classical Languages for scholars of eminence in Classical Indian Languages.
Government measures to promote classical languages:
• Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL): In addition to promoting all Indian languages, the CIIL, Mysore works for the promotion of four Classical Languages namely Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, and Odia. CIIL works and collaborates with various stakeholders including Universities, Institutes, State Governments, etc. for the development of languages through its various schemes. These include the National Translation Mission, Linguistic Data Consortium of Indian Languages, Bharatavani, etc. Allocation of funds: The Union Government allocates funds for the promotion of classical Indian languages. To note, a grant of Rs 1,074 crore has been released for the promotion of Sanskrit from 2017-2022.
• In addition to promoting all Indian languages, the CIIL, Mysore works for the promotion of four Classical Languages namely Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, and Odia.
• CIIL works and collaborates with various stakeholders including Universities, Institutes, State Governments, etc. for the development of languages through its various schemes. These include the National Translation Mission, Linguistic Data Consortium of Indian Languages, Bharatavani, etc.
• These include the National Translation Mission, Linguistic Data Consortium of Indian Languages, Bharatavani, etc.
• Allocation of funds: The Union Government allocates funds for the promotion of classical Indian languages. To note, a grant of Rs 1,074 crore has been released for the promotion of Sanskrit from 2017-2022.
• The Union Government allocates funds for the promotion of classical Indian languages. To note, a grant of Rs 1,074 crore has been released for the promotion of Sanskrit from 2017-2022.
• To note, a grant of Rs 1,074 crore has been released for the promotion of Sanskrit from 2017-2022.
Conclusion
As discussed, classical languages in India are declared based on a defined set of criteria and enjoy some literary and financial benefits for their status.
Prelims Link:
Which one of the following was given classical language status recently? (UPSC 2015)
(b) Konkani
(c) Bhojpuri
(d) Assamese
Answer: (a)
Consider the following languages (UPSC 2014)
Which of the above has/have been declared as ‘Classical Language / Languages’ by the Government?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3