The Embassy of India in Riyadh hosted a remarkable event to celebrate the conferment of classical language status to five Indian languages: Assamese, Bengali, Marathi, Pali, and Prakrit. The celebration was part of the week-long Pravasi Parichay 2024 and saw over 500 members of the Indian diaspora in attendance.
In a video message, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirtivardhan Singh lauded the embassy’s efforts to highlight the significance of classical languages. The event featured a 90-minute play that showcased the historical and cultural stories tied to the 11 classical languages of India, including Sanskrit, Telugu, Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada, and more. Attendees were captivated by performances of poetry, dialogues, music, and dance, all curated by Riyadh-based Sanskrit scholar Sumana Naik.
The embassy also honored an Indian school teacher for a poetic recital in Pali and Prakrit, adding a unique touch to the event. The celebration was well-received by the diaspora, emphasizing the role of these languages in preserving India’s ancient cultural heritage. Last year, the embassy celebrated classical Sanskrit as part of the inaugural Pravasi Parichay, which was even mentioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his “Mann Ki Baat” address. The embassy also hosts an annual film festival, with this year’s edition featuring a classical language film.