Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan released 55 scholarly works in classical Indian languages on Tuesday in New Delhi. The collection includes a 45-episode sign language interpretation series of the ancient Tamil text, the Tirukkural .
The new publications aim to promote India’s linguistic diversity and make classical texts more accessible. These works support education, research, and cultural identity efforts across the country.
New Literary Releases
Out of the 55 works, 41 literary volumes were developed by the Centres of Excellence for Classical Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, and Odia. These centers operate under the Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL).
The Central Institute of Classical Tamil (CICT) produced 13 additional books . CICT also created the extensive Sign Language Tirukkural series, making the classical work accessible to deaf communities.
Minister Pradhan also unveiled English and Hindi translations of ‘Madalapanji’. Additionally, an English translation of ‘Rudrasudhanidhi’ was released. These translations will broaden the readership for Odia history and philosophical texts beyond their regional origins.
Indian Languages: A Unifying Force
Minister Pradhan stated that Indian languages are a unifying force for the nation. He emphasized that these languages have "stood the test of time" despite past attempts to undermine them.
Pradhan highlighted the government’s commitment to strengthening Indian languages. This includes efforts to add more languages to the Scheduled list, increase translations of classical texts, and promote education in Indian languages.
The Minister reiterated that India’s linguistic diversity is a national strength. He called for collective action to preserve India’s rich historical, cultural, and literary heritage for future generations. These publications will benefit scholars, translators, language enthusiasts, and academic institutions involved in classical and regional language research.
Pradhan affirmed the government’s dedication to initiatives supporting language preservation, accessibility, and public awareness nationwide. He linked the promotion of Indian languages directly to cultural confidence and inclusive knowledge systems.