Why in the News?

Months after conferring classical language status to Marathi, the Union Government issued an official notification formalizing the recognition.

What is the Criteria for declaring a Classical language?

• 2004 (Tamil Declaration):

• • High antiquity of over 1,000 years.
  • A significant body of ancient literature valued by generations.
  • An original literary tradition, not derived from other languages.

• 2005 (Sanskrit Declaration):

• • High antiquity of 1,500–2,000 years.
  • A substantial body of ancient literature valued across generations.
  • Originality in literary traditions, distinct from other linguistic influences.
  • The classical form must show discontinuity or distinctiveness from modern forms.

• 2024 (Updated Criteria by Linguistic Experts Committee):

• • High antiquity of 1,500–2,000 years.
  • Literature includes knowledge texts, prose, inscriptions, and other forms.
  • Must demonstrate distinctiveness or discontinuity from current forms.

• Classical languages: Tamil (2004), Sanskrit (2005), Telugu (2008), Kannada (2008), Malayalam (2013), Odia (2014); Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali (2024) along with Marathi.

What are the significance of Classical Language?

• Recognizing a classical language preserves its historical roots and unifies cultural heritage.
• It promotes academic research, translation, and scholarly employment opportunities.
• Gaining global awareness broadens its use in technology, academia, and global dialogue.
• Government support and funding ensure sustained preservation, research, and institutional development.

Historical Significance of Marathi Language

• Marathi’s 2,000-year history meets the antiquity criterion.
• Early mentions of “Marathi” in various forms, such as Maharashtri Prakrit, Jain Maharashtri, and Prakrit Marathi, point to its evolution.
• Over 100 stone inscriptions, including those in the Naneghat Caves (20 BCE), which contain Marathi commands alongside Sanskrit benedictions.
• Literary milestones: Works from the Yadava period (12th–13th century AD) such as:
  • Leelacharitra: A biography of Chakradhar Swami.
  • Dnyaneshwari: A commentary on the Bhagavad Gita by Sant Dnyaneshwar.
• The Pathare Committee (2013) and Sahitya Akademi supported Marathi’s case.
  • A massive postcard campaign with 500,000 letters sent to the Prime Minister demanding recognition.
• Dnyaneshwar Mulay’s Committee addressed administrative hurdles to finalize the proposal in February 2024.

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