Classical Language status to Malayalam
RAJYA SABHA
Minister of Tourism and Culture Smt. Ambika Soni has said that Kannada language and Telugu language have been classified as ‘classical languages’ vide Government of India Notification No. 2-16/2004-Akademies dated 31.10.2008.
In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today she said, so far, Tamil, Sanskrit, Kannada and Telugu have been classified as “classical language”. The Minister said, Government has laid down the following criteria to determine the eligibility of language to be considered for classification as “classical language”:
(i) High antiquity of its early texts/ recorded history over a period of 1500-2000 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.
(iv) 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.
Answering another question the Minister said, as a classical language, no view has been presented to the Govt. of India by the competent authority of Kerala Govt. that Malayalam language is to be considered for recognition.
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(Release ID :46068)