Utkal University of Culture

Bhubaneswar, June 21: Classes for the six-month certificate course in Tamil language have begun at the Utkal University of Culture here from June 18.

Open to all, the course aims to teach the basics of speaking, reading and writing Tamil. Around 60 individuals, including students and working professionals, have enrolled in the first batch and one instructor has been roped in. Till now, only two classes have been conducted in the last weekend. The subsequent classes would be held on Saturdays (3pm to 5pm), Sundays (8am to 10am) and on all public holidays (10am onwards). A monthly scholarship of Rs 200 is being given to those who have enrolled for the course.

The university had planned to begin the course in February, but had to postpone it due to non-availability of a Tamil instructor. “Initially, when we published advertisements regarding the course, there was poor response. Therefore, we could not start it as per schedule. Later on, we received 280 applications. However, looking for an instructor was the most difficult task. We had even written to the Tamil Nadu government in this regard, but they also expressed their inability to provide a teacher. Finally, we got in touch with a lady teacher who was conducting the classes,” Amiya Pattanayak, vice-chancellor of Utkal University of Culture, said.

The university had received a grant of Rs 10 lakh from the Tamil Development Directorate, under the Tamil Nadu government, for starting the course, said Pattanayak. “This course is the first of its kind in the state. Our aim is to reach out to the 200 Tamil families residing in the city and give their children a scope to learn their mother tongue. This is also a good opportunity for polyglots,” he said, adding the directorate had provided the study materials. Pattanayak said classes for the second batch would commence from the first week of July.

“We want to run the two batches simultaneously. After learning the basics, one can enjoy the rich, classical Tamil literary works (Sangam). These days many software professionals from the state are being posted in Tamil-speaking areas.

“Therefore, they can take up this course and learn the basics,” he said.

The vice-chancellor said the university might introduce a course in Korean language soon.