Consequent on the declaration of Tamil as a classical language by the Government of India, the stupendous task of implementing the Central Plan Scheme for Classical Tamil was entrusted to the Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL), Mysore, by the end of July 2005. An action plan was chalked out in a series of sittings by eminent scholars drawn from different parts of the country together with the Chairman and Members of the Tamil Language Promotion Board and it was decided by common agreement that the focus of the activities should be on researches relating to the Classical phase of the history of Tamil, that is, the period from 300 B.C., to 600 A.D., which, in fact, happens to be its golden age also. As the major component of the Scheme, the Centre of Excellence for Classical Tamil (CECT) was established in March 2006 with the required academic, technical and administrative staff.
During the last eight months considerable progress has been made in all the ten major projects as conceived in the action plan. With regard to each of them, the Centre has initiated action on a war-footing and under the guidance of the Director, CIIL, the Coordinators and members of the respective Project Advisory Committees, the identification of specialists in diverse areas, the formation of expert committees which are to perform various tasks assigned to them, the conduct of workshops, seminars and conferences, and the writing of monographs by scholars on different subjects, have all been going on in right earnest. Doctoral and Post Doctoral Fellowships have been awarded to deserving young scholars engaged in research on Classical Tamil. The procedure for the choice of candidates for two International Awards, one National Award and five Young Scholar Awards has begun. In all the schemes, there has been a widespread involvement of competent academics. No time has been wasted either in the planning of an activity or in its execution; no talent available here or abroad has been spared; no potential resource has been left untapped.
Detailed accounts of the activities of CECT and reports of work done in all the areas are recorded in the website. It is true that there is a long way to go but the first secure step has been taken in the right direction. For the massive edifice to come up in the not too distant future, a firm foundation has been laid. The active participation of scholars from India and abroad in the form of suggestions, guidelines and expert advice as well as academic contributions including notes and articles on specific themes and translations will strengthen the cause of Classical Tamil and enrich the output of CECT.
This is the official website of the CECT detailing its mission, structure and programmes. Depending upon the response of the Indologists the world over, the updates of this site, will be more substantial and comprehensive.
