The term "Classical Language" status was conferred on Tamil by the Indian government based on the following criteria:
* Ancient literature: Tamil possesses a vast body of ancient literature dating back to 2nd century BCE.
* Continuous literary tradition: This literature has been continuously developed and preserved over centuries.
* Influence on other languages: Tamil has significantly influenced other languages in the region.
* Influence on culture: Tamil culture has profoundly impacted the region and beyond.
While "semmozhi" is a term used in Tamil to refer to a high or elevated form of the language, it's not a recognized official status by the Indian government. The official designation for languages with a rich history and cultural impact is "Classical Language".