India: Governor of Kerala to take up Malayalam ’s case

[Harold Schiffman]

Date:07/11/2008 URL:
http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/07/stories/2008110758370100.htm
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Governor to take up Malayalam's case
Special Correspondent
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Gavai says Malayalam has a rich tradition

VS seeks support for research into literature

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THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Governor R.S. Gavai has said it was
unfortunate that the Centre did not declare Malayalam as a classical
language when that status was accorded last week to Kannada and
Telugu. Inaugurating 'Ezhuthuvilakku,' a State-level literary workshop
for young writers organised by the Kerala Sahitya Akademi here on
Thursday, Mr. Gavai said he would, in his capacity as the Governor of
the State, take up the matter in an appropriate manner with the Union
government. He said Malayalam had a rich literary tradition.

Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan, who presided over the function,
urged the Union government to provide its support for research into
various aspects of literature in all languages in the country. He said
Malayalam should receive the same consideration as Kannada and Telugu
got in this respect. "We can understand Sanskrit and Tamil getting the
status of classical language. What was the yardstick used when Kannada
and Telugu were given that status and Malayalam was not? What will
happen if the people of other States also start clamouring for
classical language status for their respective languages," Mr.
Achuthanandan asked.

Over 130 young writers from across the State, selected from
district-level workshops held earlier, are participating in
'Ezhuthuvilakku,' which will continue till Sunday. Minister for
Cultural Affairs M.A. Baby said the programme was designed to inspire
young literary talent through interaction with eminent writers in the
State.

http://www.hinduonnet.com/2008/11/07/stories/2008110758370100.htm
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 Harold F. Schiffman

Professor Emeritus of
 Dravidian Linguistics and Culture
Dept. of South Asia Studies
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6305

Phone:  (215) 898-7475
Fax:  (215) 573-2138

Email:  haroldfs at gmail.com
http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/~haroldfs/

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