India is a land of linguistic diversity, boasting a multitude of languages spoken across its vast expanse. Among this linguistic tapestry, there are a select few that hold a unique and esteemed status as “Classical Languages.”
These classical languages of India are known for their ancient origins, rich literary traditions, and cultural significance.
In this article, we will explore and celebrate the classical languages of India, each with its own unique characteristics and contributions to the country’s cultural heritage.
Sanskrit
Sanskrit is often considered the mother of all classical languages in India. It is a language of great antiquity, with roots dating back over 3,500 years.
Known as the language of the gods, it is the classical language that forms the basis for numerous modern Indian languages.
Sanskrit is not just a spoken language; it is also the language of classical Indian texts, including the Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas, and the epic Mahabharata.
The grammarian Panini, who lived around the 4th century BCE, codified the rules for Sanskrit grammar, known as the Ashtadhyayi, which is considered a monumental work in linguistics.
Tamil
Tamil, one of the classical languages of India, has a history that spans over 2,000 years. It is primarily spoken in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu and parts of Sri Lanka.
The oldest extant works in Tamil are the Sangam literature, a collection of poems and anthologies dating back to the 3rd century BCE. The Tamil language is renowned for its rich literary tradition, including the Tirukkural and the works of poets like Thiruvalluvar and Avvaiyar.
Tamil also has a unique script and grammar system that sets it apart from other classical languages.
Telugu
Telugu, spoken in the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, is another classical language with an extensive literary heritage. Its history dates back to the 2nd century BCE. The classical phase of Telugu began with the Andhra Dynasty, and its earliest inscriptions are from this period.
Telugu literature includes the famous poet Annamacharya’s compositions, the Ramayana written by Kavitraya (the “Trinity of Telugu Literature”), and the classical epic, “Andhra Maha Bhagavatam” by Pothana. Telugu boasts a unique script and is celebrated for its poetic depth.
Kannada
Kannada, with its roots in the state of Karnataka, has a history dating back to the 5th century CE. The earliest known inscriptions in Kannada date to this period. Pampa, Ranna, and Ponna, known as the “Three Gems of Kannada Literature,” made significant contributions to classical Kannada poetry.
The famous work “Kavirajamarga,” written by King Nripatunga in the 9th century, is an important treatise on poetry and rhetoric. Kannada script is derived from ancient Brahmi, and the language has a rich literary tradition.
Malayalam
Malayalam is primarily spoken in the southern Indian state of Kerala and is one of the youngest classical languages of India, receiving its classical status in 2013. The language has a rich literary history that dates back to the 9th century CE.
The earliest Malayalam work, “Ramacharitam,” was authored by the 13th-century poet Cheeraman. The works of poets like Ezhuthachan and Kumaran Asan have made significant contributions to Malayalam literature. Malayalam also has a unique script and a distinct linguistic identity.
Odia (Oriya)
Odia, the official language of the Indian state of Odisha, has a rich literary tradition dating back to the 7th century CE. The “Sarala Mahabharata,” a retelling of the Mahabharata in Odia, is one of the earliest known Odia works.
The Jagannath Temple in Puri houses numerous Odia literary manuscripts. Some of the renowned poets and authors in Odia literature include Sarala Das, Baladev Ratha, and Gangadhar Meher. Odia is written in the Odia script and is noted for its unique linguistic features.
Other Literary Languages of India
Marathi
Marathi is the official language of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It has a long history, with literary traditions that date back to the 13th century.
The Bhakti movement had a significant influence on Marathi literature, with saint-poets like Dnyaneshwar and Tukaram composing devotional songs and poems.
The classical Marathi literary tradition encompasses various genres, including poetry, prose, and drama. The Marathi script is derived from Devanagari and is known for its distinctive characters.
Gujarati
Gujarati is the official language of the Indian state of Gujarat and has a classical history that dates back to the 12th century. Narsinh Mehta, a notable poet-saint, contributed significantly to Gujarati literature.
The 15th-century poet and scholar Akho was another influential figure in the development of Gujarati literature.
Over the years, Gujarati has produced a diverse range of literary works, including poetry, prose, and folk literature. The Gujarati script, a derivative of Devanagari, is unique in its own right.
Bengali
Bengali, the official language of West Bengal and the eastern Indian state of Bangladesh, is known for its vibrant literary and cultural heritage. The history of Bengali literature can be traced back to the 9th century.
The renowned Bengali poet, Krittibas Ojha, is famous for his retelling of the Ramayana in Bengali, known as the “Krittivasi Ramayan.”
The works of poets like Rabindranath Tagore, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, and Michael Madhusudan Dutt have left an indelible mark on Bengali literature. Bengali script is distinct from other Indic scripts, featuring a unique form of cursive writing.
Punjabi
Punjabi, the official language of the Indian state of Punjab, has a rich literary history dating back to the 11th century.
Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism, composed many hymns and poems in Punjabi. The writings of Sufi poets like Bulleh Shah and Waris Shah also form an integral part of Punjabi literature.
The Gurmukhi script is used to write Punjabi and is known for its distinct characters.
Hindi
Hindi means the language of Hind i.e. the greater subcontinental India. During Sultanate and Mughal times India was called Hind and its language and people Hindi. For instance, Amir Khusro wrote in a language he called Hindi or Hindvi.
However, Due to divisive colonial policies of the 19th century, Hindi got divided into 2-3 colloquial and official variants namely Sanskritic Hindi written in Devanagari script, Arabo-Persianized Hindi called Urdu written in Nastaliq script and Hindustani written in both scripts.
However, they all are not typically categorized as classical languages in the same sense as the languages mentioned in the previous article. Instead, Hindi and Urdu are considered modern Indo-Aryan languages with significant influence from Sanskrit and Persian, respectively.
Hindi and Urdu, often referred to as Hindi-Urdu, are indeed important languages with rich linguistic and cultural traditions.
Sanskritized Hindi is one of the official languages of India, while Persianized Hindi called Urdu is the official language of Pakistan.
These languages have a vast body of literature, including works by famous poets like Kabir, Tulsidas, and Mirza Ghalib.
Hindi and Urdu share a common script, Devanagari, with some variations in usage, particularly in the use of Perso-Arabic script in Urdu.
While Hindi and Urdu have deep cultural and literary roots, the term “classical language” in the Indian context is typically reserved for languages like Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, and others that have ancient origins and a specific classical literary tradition. Nonetheless, Hindi and Urdu are undeniably significant languages in the cultural and linguistic landscape of the Indian subcontinent.
Conclusion
The classical languages of India represent a testament to the country’s linguistic and cultural diversity.
These languages have deep historical roots and have made significant contributions to India’s literary heritage.
While each of these classical languages has its unique script, grammar, and literary traditions, they collectively form a mosaic of linguistic richness that continues to thrive in the modern era.
As we celebrate the classical languages of India, we also acknowledge their role in preserving and promoting India’s rich cultural heritage for generations to come