Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan today released 55 scholarly volumes dedicated to India’s classical languages, marking a major step in preserving and promoting the nation’s rich linguistic heritage.
The publications cover classical Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, and Odia, with a special emphasis on making ancient texts accessible through translations and research.
In a post on X, Minister Pradhan highlighted the significance of 10 new books launched by the Centre for Studies in Classical Odia. Describing it as a “proud moment” for Odia literature and culture, he noted that these works span from the ancient *Charyapada* to the historical *Madalapanji*, showcasing the language’s rich vocabulary and legacy.
ଓଡ଼ିଆ ସାହିତ୍ୟ ଓ ସଂସ୍କୃତି ଜଗତ ପାଇଁ ଏକ ଗୌରବମୟ ମୁହୂର୍ତ୍ତ !
ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଭାଷାର ଶାସ୍ତ୍ରୀୟ ମାନ୍ୟତାକୁ ସୁଦୃଢ଼ କରିବା ଏବଂ ଏହାର ସମୃଦ୍ଧ ଐତିହ୍ୟକୁ ବିଶ୍ୱ ଦରବାରରେ ପହଞ୍ଚାଇବା ଲକ୍ଷ୍ୟରେ ‘ଶାସ୍ତ୍ରୀୟ ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଭାଷା ଅଧ୍ୟୟନ କେନ୍ଦ୍ର ପକ୍ଷରୁ ୧୦ଟି ପ୍ରାଚୀନ ଓ ଗବେଷଣାତ୍ମକ ପୁସ୍ତକ ଉନ୍ମୋଚନ କରି ଅତ୍ୟନ୍ତ ଆନନ୍ଦିତ । ଚର୍ଯ୍ୟାପଦ… pic.twitter.com/qzTOkvBEn7
— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) January 6, 2026
Key highlights include English and Hindi translations of *Madalapanji* — a vital chronicle of Odisha’s temple and royal history — and an English translation of the philosophical text *Rudrasudhanidhi*. These translations aim to bring Odisha’s historical and philosophical insights to non-Odia speakers worldwide.
Pradhan emphasised that the publications will reinforce Odia’s classical language status, granted in 2014, and introduce its heritage to a global audience. “These books will serve as valuable resources for future researchers and language enthusiasts,” he stated.
The initiative aligns with the National Education Policy 2020, which promotes multilingualism and the integration of classical languages into education. The broader release includes 41 literary works developed by Centres of Excellence for classical Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, and Odia.
Pradhan congratulated the researchers, translators, and scholars involved, underscoring the government’s commitment to nurturing India’s diverse linguistic traditions.
This effort comes as part of ongoing initiatives to revitalise classical languages, ensuring their survival and relevance in contemporary India.
