Question
Consider the following languages:
1. Gujarati
2. Kannada
3. Telugu
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
Answer:
C
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Explanation:
In India, there are currently six languages that have been granted the prestigious status of 'Classical' languages. These include Tamil, Sanskrit, Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, and Odia. Tamil was the first to be declared as a classical language, followed by Sanskrit, Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, and Odia.
All these Classical Languages are listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India, which recognizes their cultural and historical significance. The Ministry of Culture plays a crucial role in providing guidelines and support for the development, promotion, and preservation of these languages.
To be recognized as a classical language, certain criteria must be met. These include having a high antiquity of early texts or recorded history, possessing a body of ancient literature that is considered a valuable heritage by generations of speakers, and having a literary tradition that is original and not borrowed from another speech community. Additionally, the classical language and its literature should be distinct from their modern counterparts, with a potential discontinuity between the classical language and its later forms or offshoots.