Explore India's linguistic heritage in this captivating Web Story. Delve into the ancient roots and vitality of seven of the oldest Indian languages still spoken today, tracing their historical significance and contemporary relevance in society.

Tamil is one of the oldest classical languages in the world, with a history dating back over two millennia. It is spoken primarily in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in parts of Sri Lanka, Singapore, and Malaysia.

Sanskrit is an ancient Indo-Aryan language that served as the primary liturgical and scholarly language in ancient India. While it is no longer a widely spoken vernacular, it continues to be used in religious rituals, chants, and scholarly pursuits.

Telugu is one of the oldest Dravidian languages and has a rich literary heritage dating back to the early centuries CE. It is predominantly spoken in the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

Kannada is another ancient Dravidian language with roots dating back to the 5th century CE. It is primarily spoken in the Indian state of Karnataka and is known for its rich literary tradition.

Malayalam is a Dravidian language spoken in the Indian state of Kerala and in the Lakshadweep islands. It has a history dating back to the 9th century CE and is known for its unique script and literature.

Odia is an Indo-Aryan language spoken in the Indian state of Odisha and in parts of neighboring states. It has a long history dating back to the 10th century CE and is known for its rich cultural heritage.

Marathi is an Indo-Aryan language spoken predominantly in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It has ancient roots and evolved from Prakrit languages spoken in the region. Marathi has a rich literary tradition and is widely spoken in Maharashtra and surrounding areas.