Telugu

Telugu is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly in the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, where it is an official language. It is also spoken by significant minorities in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and by the Telugu diaspora around the world.

History

The history of the Telugu language can be traced back to the early 1st century AD. The earliest known inscriptions containing Telugu words appear on coins that date back to 400 BC. The language has evolved over time, with the modern form of written Telugu being standardized in the 19th century.

Dialects

There are several dialects of Telugu, including Coastal Andhra, Rayalaseema, Telangana dialect, and others. These dialects are distinguished by slight variations in accent, vocabulary, and syntax.

Script

The Telugu script is derived from the Brahmi script. It is an abugida consisting of 60 symbols — 16 vowels, 3 vowel modifiers, and 41 consonants. Telugu script is written from left to right and does not have distinct letter cases.

Literature

Telugu literature has a rich and diverse history. It has seen various periods of growth and development, with significant contributions from many poets and writers. The first known Telugu author was Nannaya Bhattaraka, who translated the Mahabharata into Telugu.

Culture

The Telugu-speaking region is known for its rich culture, which is reflected in its literature, arts, music, and cuisine. The traditional dance forms include Kuchipudi and Andhra Natyam. Telugu cuisine is known for its hot and spicy dishes like Pulihora and Pesarattu.

Cinema

Telugu cinema, also known as Tollywood, is one of the major film industries in India. It produces a significant number of films every year, many of which are released globally.

See also

• Telugu people
• Telugu states
• Telugu calendar
• Telugu language policy