A two-week orientation programme on ‘Indian Grammatical Tradition’ began at the Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL) in Mysuru on Monday. The programme has brought together scholars, teachers, and researchers from across the country to deepen their understanding of India’s rich grammatical heritage and explore its relevance to contemporary language studies.
The programme, being held from August 31 to September 14 at the CIIL, witnessed the participation of scholars and language experts representing different linguistic and academic backgrounds.
Prasad Joshi, Vice-Chancellor, Deccan College Post-Graduate and Research Institute, Pune, was the guest of honour, while Saroja Bhate, former professor of Sanskrit and Prakrit Languages, University of Pune, was the special guest.
In his welcome address, Sujoy Sarkar, L-JRO, CIIL and programme coordinator, introduced the objectives of the orientation programme and highlighted the importance of creating greater opportunities for systematic engagement with Indian grammatical traditions.
In his presidential address, Basavaraja Kodagunti, Director, CIIL, said the response to the programme demonstrated the need for the sustained study of India’s grammatical traditions. CIIL had received around 900 applications from across the country and neighbouring countries, with applicants representing different regions, languages, and disciplines. He noted that participants included those working with languages ranging from Tamil and Kannada to languages spoken in the north-eastern and other parts of India.
Prof. Joshi, in his inaugural address, described the Indian grammatical scholarship as an important contribution to the scientific study of language. Referring to Pāṇini and Patañjali, he explained that the Indian tradition developed systematic methods for analysing language through rules and their application. He noted that Pāṇini’s Aṣṭādhyāyī demonstrates how a carefully organised set of rules can account for a vast range of linguistic expressions.
Prof. Joshi also emphasised that the study of Indian grammatical traditions extends beyond Sanskrit and includes traditions associated with Pali, Prakrit, Tamil and other languages. He described grammar as a broad field concerned with different dimensions of language and highlighted its relevance to language preservation and linguistic research.
Prof. Bhate, in her address, observed that Indian grammatical scholarship has contributed not only to the study of language but also to wider intellectual traditions. She noted that the work of Pāṇini and Patañjali had influenced the development of systematic approaches to knowledge and referred to the significance of Indian grammatical studies in the history of linguistics. She also drew attention to the recognition given by several Western scholars to India’s contribution to linguistic thought, particularly in the study of Sanskrit and phonetics.
Prof. Bhate stressed that India’s linguistic heritage should be viewed in its entirety, encompassing Sanskrit as well as Pali, Prakrit and regional languages. She urged participants to look beyond grammar as a narrowly defined subject and understand its relationship with language, culture, communication, and intellectual development.
The two-week programme features 56 academic sessions led by 22 experts from various Central and State Universities, IITs, IIITs, and CIIL. It has 163 registered participants representing Central and State Universities, IITs, IIITs and various language research institutes from across the country.
The academic sessions, scheduled to continue until September 14, would provide participants with intensive exposure to the diverse dimensions of Indian grammatical traditions and their relevance to contemporary language studies, according to CIIL.
Published – August 31, 2026 09:01 pm IST
