Tag of 'Classical Language' remains namesake for Malayalam as State and Centre continue blame game

Kollam: Despite being conferred the status of a ‘Classical’ language almost 11 years ago, there has reportedly been no action taken for the protection and development of the Malayalam language in Kerala. Officials have failed to establish a central institute for the language in the southern state.

Funding for research and studies remains limited. Currently, the designation of ‘Classical’ language seems to be more for show than substance.

The establishment of a ‘Central Institute of Classical Malayalam’ still appears to be a distant dream, while a similar institution operates in Tamil Nadu.

On July 23, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat stated in Parliament that the Kerala government has not submitted any recommendations regarding the establishment of this institute. The minister also noted that officials have not proposed any projects for the development of the Malayalam language.

Reports indicate that Kerala is not receiving even one-tenth of the assistance provided to Tamil Nadu for the development of its mother tongue. While Tamil Nadu received Rs 12 crore from the Centre for language development, Kerala was allocated only Rs 1.86 crore. This year, funding for Tamil Nadu has increased to Rs 15.25 crore, whereas assistance for Kerala has been reduced to Rs 1.12 crore.

Currently, affairs concerning the classical language of Malayalam are being managed by the Mysuru Central Institute of Indian Languages. This central institute, in collaboration with Tirur Malayalam University, has opened a temporary facility. A Deputy Director and three Junior Fellows, appointed for 11 months, are functioning at the centre.

The Centre has pointed out that the effectiveness of this temporary institute is lacking and emphasized the need to secure land and establish a permanent building for the institute in Kerala as soon as possible.

Commenting on the situation, Dr. Naduvattom Gopalakrishnan, an honorary professor at the International School of Dravidian Linguistics, stated, “People in Kerala should take a cue from those in Tamil Nadu. The way the state government and its people love and support their language is something that Malayalis should try to replicate. In contrast to Tamil Nadu, despite submitting numerous recommendations to the Cultural Department for the establishment of an independent institute, no action has been taken in this regard,” the veteran noted.