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Tamil classical language – April 1st, 2005
Dr SP. Thinnappan
Tamil language has been recognized as a Classical Language by the Government of India. Classical Language meaning Semozhi in Tamil, is the language with special aspects to it.
Literary exponent says, a language should have eleven special aspects, for attaining the Classical Language status. They are being ancient, individuality, being common for all, base for number of languages, culture, inclination towards arts, proficiency, literary forum, great ideas, literary individuality, centre of gravity and sharing of the language. It is believed that Tamil is the one and only language that possesses all these eleven aspects.
There are more than 600 languages existing in this world. Of all these, 300 languages possess literary values. There are six languages, that exist more than 3,000 years. They are Tamil, Sanskrit, Chinese, Greek, Latin and Hebrew.
Hebrew is the language, that was spoken by Christ Jesus (i.e) Bible language. But Tamil has been a language credited with literary values that had existed even before the birth of Christ Jesus. We could call Tamil and Greek as the most ancient languages. Of these six languages, Latin and Hebrew have almost died. Israel Government, that has passion for the language is slowly trying to restore the language Hebrew. Greeks too are trying their best to restore their language Greek. Latin has totally died. Of the rest three languages, Sanskrit has never been a colloquial language. It is only in the writing form.
Though the origin of the rest five languages have some history, there is no research on the origin of the language Tamil. Encyclopedia Britanica says, Tamil is the language that is spoken for more than 3,000 years.
It was during 1918, Parithimaar Kalaingar alais Surya Narayana Sasthrigal initiated at Saiva Sithantha Conference held in Chennai to recognize Tamil as a Classical Language. Later Karandai Tamil Sangaam in Tanjore during the year 1919 and 1920 wanted to declare Tamil as a classical language. Devaneyappavanar in his book The Primary classical language of the world has stated Tamil as the first classical language.
Similar to Greek and Sanskrit, Tamil is a language with classical literary aspects. The languages equivalent to Tamil are no more or shaken. But Tamil appears to be outstanding among the Indian languages. Xavier Thaninayak adigalar says, even today Tamil has been a living classical language. Authorities from Madras University, Manonmaniyam Sundaranar University wrote to the State and Central Governments to recognize Tamil as a Classical Language. Through the collective effort of many scholars today, Central Government has recognized Tamil as a Classical Language.
These are the Benefits of the Tamil as a Classical Language.
1. Tamil will attain its genuine respect in the international arena.
2. Information on Tamil has been very low so far in the literary field unlike another Classical Language Sanskrit. Here after, there will be a lot of information available on literary, art, culture in the literary field. So the respect of Tamil and its society will spread through out the world.
3. Universities across the globe will consider to include Tamil in their list of subjects.
4. It will be realized that, along the Sanskrit language, Tamil is also indispensible to learn about the Indian culture.
5. It will be realized that Tamils part in the Indian culture is inevitable.
6. Like the Sanskrit language, Tamil is also ought to receive the Indian Governments annual grant for its further enrichment.
7. Tamil will receive the necessary sum for its research works from the Central Government funds.
8. Research works on Tamil will attain its new goal.
9. Tamilians will get over the inferiority complex about the language.
10. Tamil works will be translated into international languages. Respect of the Tamil language and its progeny will be spread all over the world.