Central Institute of Classical Tamil


The Central Institute of Classical Tamil is a body established by the Government of India with a view to promoting the cause of Classical Tamil. It is located in Chennai.

History

The CICT was formerly known as the Centre of Excellence for Classical Tamil and had been functioning at the Central Institute of Indian Languages, Mysore, a branch of the Department of Higher Education, Language Bureau, Ministry of Human Resource Development. In May 2008, the CECT was moved to Chennai and was rechristened as the Central Institute of Classical Tamil. The chairman of the new institute was the then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu M. Karunanidhi. The governing body for Classical Tamil Institute was also changed as Aimperumkuzhu and Enperayam under two vice-chairmen, V. I. Subramoniam and V. C. Kulandaiswamy, with the chairman for this governing body being M. Karunanidhi.

Functions

The CICT is engaged in the task of developing Tamil through various programmes of its own. The Institute is responsible for the Kural Peedam Award.

Projects

The following are the ten major projects of The Centre of Excellence for Classical Tamil :
  1. Definitive Editions of Ancient Tamil Works
  2. Translation of Ancient Tamil Works
  3. Historical Grammar of Tamil
  4. Antiquity of Tamil: An Inter-Disciplinary Research
  5. Synchronic And Diachronic Study of Tamil Dialects
  6. India As a Linguistic Area
  7. Digital Library For Ancient Tamil Studies
  8. Online Teaching of Classical Tamil
  9. Corpus Development For Classical Tamil Works
  10. Visual Episodes on Classical Tamil

    Tamil Language Promotion Board (TLPB)

TLPB was now changed as Aimpermkuzhu and Enperayam
The board was reconstituted.

Chairman

Prof. V.C. Kulandai Swamy

Members

Prof. M. Nannan
Dr. Silamboli Chellappan
Kavikko Dr. Abdul Rahman
Dr. Manavai Mustafa
Dr. Avvai Natarajan
Prof. Solomon Pappaiah
Kavinar Dr. Erode Thamizhanban
Perunkavikko Dr. V.M. Sethuraman
Prof. M.P. Balasubramaniyam
Dr. Iravatham Mahadevan