Assam is all set to celebrate a landmark moment in history as Union Cabinet of India clears proposal for declaring Assamese as a Classical Language. The Chief Minister announced that the weeklong celebration, themed as ‘Bhasa Gourav Saptah’, would be observed from November 3 to 9, 2024 in honor of this prestigious designation.
State to Celebrate Sanskshanisation of Assamese with ‘Bhasa Gourav Saptah’
The aim is to pay rich tributes to the linguistic and cultural wealth of the Assamese language-a language that has flourished for centuries and played a crucial role in forming the identity of the state.
A Landmark Achievement
Such recognition of Assamese as a Classical Language forms part of a wider decision by the Union Cabinet, dated October 3, 2024, granting the status of a Classical Language to five Indian languages- Assamese, Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, and Bengali. It is considered a landmark move in elevating the status of Assamese and recognizing its historical importance, literary contribution, and cultural diaspora.
Accepting his appreciation to the declaration as a reflection of the richness in the linguistics feature within the state, chief minister Sarma said: “Recognition of Assamese as a Classical Language is a matter of immense pride for Assam and its people. It is a fitting tribute to countless scholars, writers, and poets who have enriched the language over centuries.”.
Week-long Celebrations: ‘Bhasa Gourav Saptah’
To commemorate the celebrations, the government has planned an extensive program called ‘Bhasa Gourav Saptah’ to pay tribute to the language and all those who have contributed to it. The chief minister announced that all the universities, schools, and civil society organizations would take active participation across the state, while special events have been designed to resonate with the cultural and linguistic relevance of Assamese.
This will be an opportunity for us to pay homage to the literary goliaths of the language, from its earliest written records in the 4th century AD to the modern period. “This week will not only celebrate our past but also inspire future generations to cherish and promote our language”, said Sarma.
Literary seminars, debates, and discussions will be conducted on the contributions of Assamese scholars and writers who built the evolution of language. Special assemblies have to be held in schools and universities in which students will recite, stage plays, and other cultural programs centrally based on Assamese literature. Civil society organizations, too, have to organize exhibitions, workshops, and various other cultural programs that reveal the richness and diversity of the language’s history.
On October 8, a formal cabinet resolution extended thanks from the state government to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his role in designating Assamese as a Classical Language. The Chief Minister said that these celebrations would also be a way of expressing gratitude from the people to the Prime Minister for this pivotal gesture toward the preservation and promotion of the linguistic heritage of Assam.
This is a moment of deep gratitude, not just to our past literary stalwarts but also to our Prime Minister, who has acknowledged the cultural and linguistic diversity of our nation, Sarma said. “The recognition of Assamese as a Classical Language is a testimony to its unique place in India’s linguistic landscape.”
What Does It Mean for Assamese Now?
In India, the classification of a language as ‘Classical’ is a great privilege and very exceptional and is awarded only to languages qualifying under the antiquity, literary tradition, and a significant body of ancient texts. According to the Ministry of Culture, a language should have a recorded history going back at least 1,500 to 2,000 years, rich heritage of ancient literature and also an independent tradition, not borrowed from any speech community, to qualify it as a Classical Language.
This position ensures Assamese’s place as a language of great historical standing. Assamese is the main language spoken in the state and has one of the world’s most ancient literary traditions, going back over 1,000 years. Since early inscriptions go as far back as the 4th century AD and classical literature runs into thousands of religious texts, poetry, and historical chronicles, it has been instrumental to the construction of regional culture.
It will further strengthen the position of Assamese in the corner of academics and literary circles, opined Dr. Jayanta Bhuyan, professor of Assamese literature. It opens new doors for research, scholarship, and global recognition of the literary and cultural achievements of Assam.
Promoting Cultural Renaissance
The new Bhasa Gourav Saptah celebrations are likely to infuse fresh pride and a cultural enthusiasm among Assam’s literary and educational activities. The week focuses on both appreciation of the past, but it also looks forward to the prospects of Assamese developing further in education, literature, and media contexts.
This is at a time when the world is waking up increasingly to the urgency of preserving linguistic diversity,” says Ranjan Nath, one of India’s leading cultural historians. “It will boost efforts to promote Assamese on the national and global stage, encouraging more scholarly work, translations, and even technological adaptations for the language.”.
In that sense, the celebrations cannot but be at the hands of one and all connected in their linguistic culture and heritage. Therefore, it is only proper that Bhasa Gourav Saptah, as part of the preparation for this grand celebration, brings the people of Assam back to their linguistic roots, to a common heritage that endures. Government, educational institutions, and civil society come together to give the event a milestone in Assam’s cultural renaissance.
Recognition of Assamese as a Classical Language will be a historic and momentous occasion for the state and its people. The week from November 3 to 9, 2024, is going to be a Bhasa Gourab Saptah, a week of reflection, celebration, and gratitude towards paying homage to the linguistic and cultural heritage of Assamese while stirring in the hearts of new generations a wakeful sense of continuation toward rich literary tradition.
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