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Tamil declared a classical language

· Chennai

Tamil declared a classical language
AntanO, Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

The Government of India declared Tamil the first classical language of India.

In 2004 the Union government created a new category of classical languages, and Tamil was the first language to receive the status. The recognition followed a long campaign by Tamil scholars and political parties, including the DMK, which was then part of the ruling UPA coalition. The status brought central funding for research and the later establishment of the Central Institute of Classical Tamil in Chennai. Several other languages were added to the list in the following years.

Related events

  1. 1812

    1. 1812ChennaiLiterature

      Tirukkural appears in print for the first time

      The first known printed edition of the Tirukkural was produced in 1812, together with the Naladiyar.

  2. 1816

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      Ellis publishes the Dravidian Proof

      Francis Whyte Ellis argued that the South Indian languages form a family separate from Sanskrit.

  3. 2001

    1. 17 Feb 2001ChennaiLanguage

      Tamil Virtual University established

      To provide internet-based Tamil learning around the world, the Tamil Nadu government created the Tamil Virtual University, now the Tamil Virtual Academy.

  4. 2008

    1. May 2008ChennaiLanguage

      Central Institute of Classical Tamil moves to Chennai

      The Union government's Centre of Excellence for Classical Tamil moved from Mysore to Chennai and became the Central Institute of Classical Tamil.

    2. 15 Apr 2008ChennaiWelfare

      Transgender Welfare Board, first in India

      Tamil Nadu set up India's first welfare board for transgender persons under the Social Welfare department.

    3. 29 Jan 2008 to 2011ChennaiCulture

      Tamil New Year moved to the first day of Thai

      A DMK government law moved Tamil New Year to the first day of the Tamil month of Thai; the change was revoked in 2011.

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