Hubbry Logo
Telugu peopleTelugu peopleMain
Open search
Telugu people
Community hub
Telugu people
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Telugu people
Telugu people
Telugu people
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Key Information

PersonTelugu
PeopleTeluguvāru
LanguageTelugu
CountryTelugu Dēśaṁ

Telugus,[a] also known by the ethnonym Āndhras, are a Dravidian ethnic group native to the southern Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, and the union territory of Puducherry (Yanam district). They natively speak the Telugu language and form the most populous Dravidian linguistic group. A significant number of Telugus also reside in the Indian states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal and Maharashtra; with a significant diasporic population spread across the Western world, with larger concentrations in North America, the Far East, Mauritius, the Gulf Arab states, Malaysia, Burma, Australia and other parts of the world.[14]

Telugu is the fourth most spoken language in India[15] and the 14th most spoken native language in the world.[16] Telugu is the fastest-growing language in the United States.[17] It is also a protected language in South Africa.[18]

Andhra is an ethnonym used for Telugu people since antiquity.[19] The earliest mention of the Andhras occurs in Aitareya Brahmana (c. 800 BCE) of the Rigveda.[20] In the Mahabharata, the infantry of Satyaki was composed of a tribe called the Andhras, known for their long hair, tall stature, sweet language, and mighty prowess. They were also mentioned in the Buddhist Jataka tales.[21] Megasthenes reported in his Indica (c. 310 BCE) that the Andhras, living in the Godavari and Krishna river deltas, were famous for their formidable military strength, which was second only to that of the Maurya Empire in the entire Indian subcontinent.[22] The first major Andhra polity was the Satavahana dynasty (2nd century BCE–2nd century CE) which ruled over the entire Deccan plateau and even distant areas of western and central India.[23] They established trade relations with the Roman Empire, and their capital city near Amaravathi was the most prosperous city in India during the 2nd century CE.[24] Inscriptions in Old Telugu script (Vengi script) were found as far away as Indonesia and Myanmar.[25]

In the 13th century, Kakatiyas unified various Telugu-speaking areas under one realm.[26] Later, Telugu culture and literature flourished and reached its zenith during the late Vijayanagara Empire.[27][28] After the fall of the Vijayanagara Empire, various Telugu rulers called Nayakas established independent kingdoms across South India serving the same function as Rajput warriors clans of northern India.[29] Kandyan Nayaks, the last dynasty to rule Sri Lanka were of Telugu descent.[30] In this era, Telugu became the language of high culture throughout South India.[31] Vijaya Ramaswamy compared it to the overwhelming dominance of French as the cultural language of modern Europe during roughly the same era.[32] Telugu also predominates in the evolution of Carnatic music, one of two main subgenres of Indian classical music.[33]

The architecture developed by Andhras in Krishna river valley in early first centuries CE, called the Amaravati School of Art, is regarded as one of the three major styles of ancient Indian art and had a great influence on art in South India, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia.[34] Mahayana, the predominant Buddhist tradition in China, Japan, and Korea and the largest Buddhist denomination in the world, was developed among Telugus in Andhra.[35]

Telugu is one of six languages designated as a classical language by the Government of India. It has been in use as an official language for over 1,400 years[36] and has an unbroken and diverse literary tradition of over a thousand years.[37][38] Telugu performing arts include the classical dance form Kuchipudi, as well as Perini Sivatandavam, and Burra Katha. The Telugu shadow puppetry tradition, Tholu Bommalata, dates back to the 3rd century BCE,[39] and is the ancestor of Wayang, the popular Indonesian art form that has been a staple of Indonesian tourism.[40] Telugu cinema is the largest film industry in India in terms of box office as well as admissions.[41][42] The industry has produced some of India's most expensive and highest-grossing films, influencing Indian popular culture well beyond Telugu-speaking regions.[43]

Etymology

[edit]

Telugu

[edit]

Speakers of Telugu refer to it as simply Telugu.[44] Older forms of the name include Teluṅgu and Tenuṅgu.[45] Tenugu is derived from the Proto-Dravidian word *ten ("south")[46] to mean "the people who lived in the south/southern direction". The name Telugu, then, is a result of an "n" to "l" alternation established in Telugu.[47][48]

P. Chenchiah and Bhujanga Rao note that Atharvana Acharya in the 13th century wrote a grammar of Telugu, calling it the Trilinga Shabdānushāsana (or Trilinga Grammar).[49] However, most scholars note that Atharvana's grammar was titled Atharvana Karikavali.[50][51][52][53] Appa Kavi in the 17th century explicitly wrote that Telugu was derived from Trilinga. Scholar Charles P. Brown made a comment that it was a "strange notion" since the predecessors of Appa Kavi had no knowledge of such a derivation.[54]

George Abraham Grierson and other linguists doubt this derivation, holding rather that Telugu was the older term and Trilinga must be the later Sanskritisation of it.[55][56] If so the derivation itself must have been quite ancient because Triglyphum, Trilingum and Modogalingam are attested in ancient Greek sources, the last of which can be interpreted as a Telugu rendition of "Trilinga".[57]

Andhras

[edit]
Main article: Andhras

Andhras is an ethnonym used for Telugu people since antiquity.[19] The name Andhras has been consistently used since the Iron Age to refer to the Telugu people in ancient Hindu and Buddhist texts. They were mentioned as Dasyus (non-Aryans) living on the fringes of Aryan settlements.[58] The Aitareya Brahmana of the Rigveda (c. 800 BCE) refers to the Andhras as descendants of Sage Vishvamitra.[59] The Greek historian Megasthenes, in his Indica (c. 310 BCE), described the Andhras as a distinct race.[60]

Iravatham Mahadevan, notes that since most Dravidian-speaking men had names ending with the suffIx -(a)nṟ, the Dravidian etymon -(a)nṟ was borrowed as a loanword into Indo-Aryan as andha and later as āndhra to denote the name of the neighbouring Dravidian-speaking people.[61]

History

[edit]
See also: History of Andhra Pradesh and History of Telangana

Ancient era

[edit]

Andhras (Telugu: ఆంధ్రులు) were mentioned in the Hindu texts such as Aitareya Brahmana (c. 800 BCE) of the Rigveda. According to Aitareya Brahmana, the sage Vishvamitra had hundred sons; fifty of them were older than Madhuchhanda, and fifty were younger. The older ones were not pleased with (the installation of Sunahsepa to the primogeniture). Visvamitra then pronounced against them a curse: “You shall have the lowest castes for your descendants. ” Therefore are many of the most degraded classes of men, the rabble for the most part, such as the Andhras, Pundras, Sabaras, Palindas, and Mutibas, descendants of Visvamitra....” All of those tribes are referred to as Dasyus, or non-Aryans living on the fringes of Aryan settlements.[62]

Andhra was a kingdom mentioned in the epics Ramayana and Mahabharata.[21] Andhra communities are also mentioned in the Vayu, Skanda, Markandeya and Matsya Purana. In the Mahabharata the infantry of Satyaki was composed by a tribe called Andhras, known for their long hair, tall stature, sweet language, and mighty prowess. They lived along the banks of the Godavari river. Andhras and Kalingas supported the Kauravas during the Mahabharata war. Sahadeva defeated the kingdoms of Pandya, Andhra, Kalinga, Dravida, Odra and Chera while performing the Rajasuya Yajna. Buddhist references to Andhras are also found.[63][64][65] They were also mentioned in the Mahabharata and Buddhist Jataka tales.[66]

Approximate extent of the Satavahana Empire (Andhra Empire) in the late 1st century CE.[67]

Andhra was also a Vedic Janapada (c. 1100–600 BCE) which were the prominent realms, republics (ganapada), and kingdoms (sāmarājya) of the Vedic period in the Indian subcontinent. In the seventh century BCE, Asmaka was one of the sixteen Mahajanapadas. Andhras were mentioned by Megasthenes in his Indica (c. 310 BCE) as being second only to Mauryans in military strength in the entire Indian subcontinent. They had 30 fortified towns along the Godavari River and an army of 1,00,000 infantry, 2,000 cavalry and 1,000 elephants.[68] They are mentioned at the time of the death of the great Mauryan King Ashoka in 232 BCE.[69][70][71]

The first major Andhra polity was the Satavahana dynasty (2nd century BCE–2nd century CE) which ruled over the entire Deccan plateau and established trade relations with the Roman Empire.[72][73][74] The kingdom reached its zenith under Gautamiputra Satakarni. Their capital city, Amaravati was the most prosperous city in India in 2nd century CE.[24] At the end of the Satavahana rule, the Telugu region was divided into Kingdoms ruled by lords. In the late second century CE, the Andhra Ikshvakus ruled the eastern region along the Krishna River. During the fourth century, the Pallava dynasty extended their rule across southern Andhra Pradesh and Tamilakam and established their capital at Kanchipuram. Their power increased during the reigns of Mahendravarman I (571–630) and Narasimhavarman I (630–668). The Pallavas dominated the southern Telugu-speaking region and northern Tamilakam until the end of the ninth century. Later, various dynasties have ruled the area, including the Salankayanas, Cholas, Vishnukundinas and Eastern Chalukyas.[75]

Medieval era

[edit]
Map of the Kakatiyas, circa 1150–1300 CE.[76]
Extent of Vijayanagara Empire, around 1520 CE.

Between 1163 and 1323, the Kakatiya dynasty emerged, bringing the distinct upland and lowland cultures of Telugu lands, which brought into being a feeling of cultural affinity between those who spoke the Telugu language.[26] Kakatiya era also saw the development of a distinct style of architecture which improved and innovated upon the existing modes.[77] Most notable examples are the Thousand Pillar Temple in Hanamkonda, Ramappa Temple in Palampet, Warangal Fort, Golconda Fort and Kota Gullu in Ghanpur.[78] During this period, the Telugu language emerged as a literary medium with the writings of Nannaya, Tikkana, Eranna, Pothana etc. are the translators and poets of the great Hindu epics like Ramayana, Mahabharatha, Bhagavatha etc.

Telingana, a term referring to the land inhabited by Telugus, was first used during the 14th century CE.[79][80] In 1323, the sultan of Delhi, Ghiyath al-Din Tughluq, sent a large army commanded by Ulugh Khan (later, as Muhammad bin Tughluq, the Delhi sultan) to conquer the Telugu region and lay siege to Warangal. The fall of the Kakatiya dynasty led to an era with competing influences from the Turkic kingdoms of Delhi and the Persio-Tajik sultanate of central India. The struggle for Andhra ended with the victory of the Musunuri Nayaks over the Turkic Delhi Sultanate.

The Telugus achieved independence under Krishnadevaraya of the Vijayanagara Empire (1336–1646). The Qutb Shahi dynasty of the Bahmani Sultanate succeeded that empire. The Qutub Shahis were tolerant of Telugu culture from the early 16th to the end of the 17th centuries.[81]

Modern era

[edit]

The arrival of Europeans (the French under the Marquis de Bussy-Castelnau and the English under Robert Clive) altered polity of the region. In 1765, Clive and the chief and council at Visakhapatnam obtained the Northern Circars from Mughal emperor Shah Alam. The British achieved supremacy when they defeated Maharaja Vijaya Rama Gajapati Raju of Vizianagaram in 1792.

Andhra's modern foundation was laid in the struggle for Indian independence. India became independent from the United Kingdom in 1947. Potti Sreeramulu's campaign for a state independent of the Madras Presidency and Tanguturi Prakasam Panthulu and Kandukuri Veeresalingam's social-reform movements led to the formation of Andhra State, with Kurnool as its capital and freedom-fighter Prakasam Pantulu as its first chief minister. Andhra, the first Indian state formed primarily on a linguistic basis, was carved from the Madras Presidency in 1953. Although the Muslim Nizam of Hyderabad wanted to retain independence from India, he was forced to cede his kingdom to the Dominion of India in 1948 to form Hyderabad State. In 1956, Andhra State was merged with the Telugu-speaking portion of Hyderabad State (the Telangana region) to create the state of Andhra Pradesh. The Lok Sabha approved the formation of Telangana from ten northwestern districts of Andhra Pradesh on 18 February 2014.[82]

Culture

[edit]
Main articles: Culture of Andhra Pradesh and Culture of Telangana

Cuisine

[edit]
Main articles: Andhra cuisine and Telangana cuisine

Different regions of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana all produce distinctive variations of Telugu cuisine. Telugu cuisine is generally known for its tangy, hot, and spicy taste. Andhra Pradesh is the leading producer of red chili and rice in India. The concentration of red chili production in Andhra Pradesh has led to the liberal use of spices in Andhra cuisine. Rice is the staple in Telugu culture along with Ragi (రాగి) which is popular in Rayalaseema and Palnadu regions.

Language

[edit]
Main article: Telugu language

Telugu is a South-Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, where it is also the official language. The oldest inscriptions with Telugu words date to 400 BCE found at Bhattiprolu in Guntur district.[83] Other early inscriptions with more refined language were found in Kantamanenivarigudem, Guntupalli in West Godavari district and Gummadidurru and Ghantasala in Krishna district. The earliest inscription completely written in Telugu dates to 575 CE were found at Kalamalla village in Kadapa district.[83]

Literature

[edit]
Main article: Telugu literature

Telugu has an unbroken and diverse literary tradition of over a thousand years.[37][38] The earliest Telugu literature dates to 11th century CE with Nannaya's Andhra Mahabharatam. The language experienced a golden age under the patronage of the Vijayanagara king-poet Krishnadevaraya.[27]

Performing arts

[edit]
Two Kuchipudi dancers from Andhra Pradesh, 2011

Kuchipudi, originating from the eponymous village in Krishna district, is of the eight major Indian classical dances.[84][85] It is a dance-drama performance, with its roots in the ancient Hindu Sanskrit text of Natya Shastra.[86] It developed as a religious art linked to traveling bards, temples and spiritual beliefs, like all major classical dances of India.[87] Other Telugu performing arts include:

Architecture

[edit]

Amaravati School of Art

[edit]
Amaravati Stupa relief at a museum (1st–2nd century CE)

Amaravati School of Art is an ancient Indian art style that evolved in the region of Amaravati (then known as Dhānyakaṭaka) from 2nd century BCE to the end of the 3rd century CE.[88][89][90] It is also called the Andhra School or Vengi School.[89] Art historians regard the art of Amaravati as one of the three major styles or schools of ancient Indian art, the other two being the Mathura style, and the Gandharan style.[91][92] Amaravati school flourished under the local Sada rulers, Satavahanas, and Andhra Ikshvakus till 325–340 CE. Amaravati Stupa is the most famous monument of this style, and it was for some time "the greatest monument in Buddhist Asia",[93] and "the jewel in the crown of early Indian art".[94] Apart from Amaravati, the style is also found in Nagarjunakonda and Chandavaram Buddhist site.

Largely because of the maritime trading links of the East Indian coast, the Amaravati school of sculpture had great influence on art in South India, Sri Lanka, and South-East Asia.[95][88][89][92][96] Buddha image in sculptures which later on became the prototype of images in different Buddhist countries was standardised here.[92][97] The Amaravati style of Buddha image retained its popularity in Sri Lanka till the 12th century.[97]

Kakatiya architecture

[edit]
Main article: Kakatiya architecture
Ramappa temple (1213–1253 CE), a UNESCO World Heritage Site[98]

Kakatiya era also saw the development of a distinct style of architecture which improved and innovated upon the existing modes.[99] It is a fusion of Dravidian architecture and Nagara Bhumija styles in which sandbox technology is used to construct Vimana—horizontal stepped tower. Most notable examples are the Thousand Pillar Temple in Hanamkonda, Ramappa Temple in Palampet, and Kota Gullu in Ghanpur.[78] Ramappa Temple, also known as the Rudreswara temple, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Mulugu.[100]

Cinema

[edit]
Main article: Telugu cinema

Telugu cinema is the largest film industry in India in terms of box-office as well as admissions.[101][41][42] The industry has produced some of India's most expensive and highest-grossing films of all time over the years.

Clothing

[edit]
  • Masculine
  1. Uttareeyam (Uttariya) or Pai Pancha (Angvastram or veil)
  2. Pancha (Dhoti)
  3. Jubba (Kurta) The top portion
  4. Lungi (Casual dress)
  • Feminine
  1. Langa voni (Half sari)
  2. Cheera (sari)

Festivals

[edit]
See also: List of festivals in Andhra Pradesh

Important festivals celebrated by Telugu people include:

Sport

[edit]
See also: Traditional games of Andhra Pradesh

Population

[edit]

Castes and communities

[edit]
Main article: List of Telugu castes

The Telugu people are subdivided into several castes and communities. Some of them include: Yadav, Reddy, Vishwakarma/ Vishwabrahmana, Kapu/Balija, Kamma, Brahmin, Raju, Komati, Boya, Devanga, Padmasali, Bhatraju, velama, Goud, Mala, Madiga, Jangam, Kuruba, Relli and Vaddera

Distribution

[edit]

Telugu is the third most common language in India, right behind Bengali. Telugu is predominantly spoken in the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, although it’s also the official language of several other states like Andaman and Nicobar, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Orissa, Kharagpur of West Bengal, Bellary Of Karnataka, Where also Bellary City has the highest density of Telugu speakers in the state of Karnataka and also the city to have highest number of Telugu speakers outside Telugu States with nearly 30.03% of population being Telugu Speakers.
It is a part of the Dravidian language family, which has been around for about 2000 years. Outside Telugu states the largest number of Telugu speakers are found in Karnataka (3.7 million) and Tamil Nadu, making them the second largest language groups in those neighbouring states.[102] In Karnataka, Telugu people are predominantly found in the border districts with majority in Bengaluru city and Bellary city. In Maharashtra, the Telugu population is over 1.4 million, followed by 0.7 million in Orissa. Other states with significant populations include West Bengal, Chhattisgarh and Gujarat with 200,000, 150,000 and 100,000 respectively.[102]

Members of the overseas Telugu diaspora are spread across countries like United States, Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, New Zealand in the Anglosphere; Malaysia, Myanmar, Mauritius, Fiji, South Africa; UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait in the Arabian Gulf.[14][103] Telugu speakers number more than 1,000,000 in the United States, with the highest concentration in Central New Jersey, Texas, and California.[104] There are around 500,000 Telugu people in Malaysia,[105] and 200,000 in Myanmar.[106]

Notable Telugu people

[edit]
Main article: List of Telugu people

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Telugu people

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Telugu people are a Dravidian primarily native to the Indian states of and , where they constitute the majority population and speak Telugu, a of with a literary spanning over 1,500 years. With over 80 million native speakers in , they represent the largest Dravidian-speaking population and maintain distinct cultural traditions rooted in , including festivals, cuisine, and performing arts. Historically, Telugu people trace their origins to ancient Andhra polities, with the (circa 2nd century BCE to 2nd century CE) establishing the first major kingdom in the Deccan region, fostering trade networks and early inscriptions that reflect proto-Telugu linguistic elements. Subsequent dynasties like the Kakatiyas (12th–14th centuries) expanded Telugu influence through military conquests and monumental architecture, such as the UNESCO-listed , which exemplifies advanced engineering in earthquake-resistant design and intricate carvings. In contemporary times, Telugu communities have driven in sectors like , particularly in Hyderabad, often called "Cyberabad," while a substantial in the United States, Gulf states, and sustains cultural ties through language schools, media, and remittances that bolster homeland development. Their contributions extend to global cinema via Tollywood, producing high-grossing films, and classical arts like dance, recognized for its expressive narratives drawn from Hindu epics.

Etymology and Origins

Etymology

The "Telugu" derives from the term Triliṅga (त्रिलिङ्ग), meaning "three lingas," referring to the three sacred lingam shrines at Śrīśaila (modern in ), Drākṣārāma (Draksharama in ), and Kāleśvara (Kaleswaram on the -Telangana border). This designation applied to the historical region of Triliṅga-deśa (land of the three lingas), which roughly corresponded to the Telugu-speaking territories between the Godavari and Krishna rivers, as referenced in ancient and inscriptions such as the Annavarappāḍu plates. The term transitioned from denoting the geographic and sacred domain to identifying the Dravidian spoken there and, by extension, its native inhabitants as Telugu people, with the earliest epigraphic uses of "Telugu" for the appearing in 7th-century inscriptions like those at . While the Triliṅga origin is the predominant explanation in historical and linguistic scholarship, linking the name to Shaivite cosmology and regional identity, alternative derivations exist but lack comparable attestation. One proposes evolution from tenugu or telugu, potentially signifying "southern" in a Dravidian context relative to northern Indo-Aryan speech zones, or metaphorically "sweet" from a root akin to honey (tēne), reflecting poetic praise of the language's euphony in medieval literature. These views, however, appear later and are less tied to primary sources, with the Triliṅga theory first systematically articulated in 16th-century Telugu scholarship, such as by poet Appakavi, though rooted in earlier regional nomenclature. The etymology underscores the interplay of Sanskrit religious terminology and local Dravidian linguistic evolution, without evidence of Indo-European influence on the core term.

Genetic and Anthropological Origins

Genetic analyses of Telugu populations reveal a composite ancestry primarily rooted in ancient South Asian lineages, augmented by Iranian-related farmer admixture and later Steppe pastoralist contributions. South Indian groups, including Telugus from and , exhibit higher proportions of Ancestral South Indian (ASI) ancestry—linked to early modern humans who arrived via a southern coastal route around 65,000–50,000 years ago—compared to northern populations, with ANI (Ancestral North Indian) components introducing West Eurasian elements via migrations from the northwest. Y-chromosome studies in Andhra castes, representative of Telugu speakers, demonstrate caste-associated variation in paternal haplogroups: upper castes display elevated R1a1 frequencies (51.5%), tied to Indo-European expansions from the Eurasian steppes circa 2000–1500 BCE, whereas lower castes and tribal groups predominate in indigenous markers such as H (21%), (13%), R2 (11%), and J (11%), reflecting pre-Neolithic South Asian origins. These patterns indicate endogamy-enforced stratification amplified gene flow differentials, with upper groups showing greater affinity to Central Asian and European populations. Mitochondrial DNA profiles underscore maternal continuity with early South Asian settlers, featuring haplogroup M at over 60% prevalence— an autochthonous lineage diverging in around 50,000 years ago—alongside lower frequencies of West Eurasian U subclades (e.g., U7), which trace to a shared Pleistocene ancestry with Eurasians predating Indo-Aryan arrivals. Anthropological evidence from sites like Jwalapuram corroborates genetic data, with lithic tools dated to approximately 74,000 years ago signaling post-Toba supereruption human persistence by modern Homo sapiens, establishing a foundation for the region's inhabitants who contributed to proto-Dravidian genetic pools. This prehistoric continuity, combined with subsequent admixtures, aligns Telugu origins with the Deccan plateau's indigenous framework rather than exogenous replacements.

History

Ancient Era

The ancient history of the Telugu people is rooted in the prehistoric and early historic periods of the Andhra region, encompassing modern-day and . Archaeological evidence indicates continuous human habitation from the era, with cave sites such as Billasurgam yielding artifacts dating back tens of thousands of years. By the , the region featured a widespread megalithic culture characterized by burial sites with dolmens, cairns, and urns containing iron tools, weapons, and , spanning approximately 1000 BCE to 200 BCE; over 300 such sites have been documented across Andhra, reflecting settled agricultural communities with metallurgical advancements. The transition to early historic kingdoms is marked by the , which rose to power in the Deccan following the decline of the Mauryan Empire around the 1st century BCE. The , also identified as Andhras in ancient Puranic texts, established control over the with their earliest inscriptions dated to the 1st century BCE, after overthrowing the in parts of central and southern . Their rule, lasting until approximately the 2nd or 3rd century CE, featured capitals at Pratishthana (modern ) and , where they issued coinage in silver and lead depicting rulers and symbols like elephants and ships, indicative of trade networks extending to the . The dynasty's inscriptions, primarily in , show linguistic influences from local Dravidian substrates, suggesting proto-Telugu speech among the populace, though elite administration remained Indo-Aryan. Satavahana patronage of Buddhism and Jainism fostered cultural developments, exemplified by the Amaravati Mahachaitya, a major stupa complex constructed between the 2nd century BCE and 3rd century CE, featuring intricate limestone sculptures depicting Buddhist narratives and daily life. Following the Satavahanas' fragmentation, successor states like the Ikshvaku dynasty (circa 3rd–4th century CE) ruled the eastern Andhra territories from Vijayapuri, continuing Prakrit epigraphy with emerging Telugu phonetic elements in names and terms. The period saw the earliest attestations of Telugu words within Prakrit inscriptions from the final centuries BCE, pointing to the gradual crystallization of the Telugu language amid Dravidian linguistic continuity. By the 5th–6th centuries CE, dynasties such as the Vishnukundins began incorporating more distinct Telugu features in inscriptions, such as those at Keesara, bridging ancient and early medieval phases. This era laid the foundational socio-political and cultural matrix for Telugu identity, centered on agrarian economies, riverine settlements along the Krishna and Godavari, and interactions with northern Indo-Aryan polities.

Medieval Era

The medieval era marked a period of distinct Telugu political consolidation under dynasties that ruled the Andhra region, fostering advancements in language, , and . The initiated this phase, establishing a kingdom centered in that encompassed coastal Telugu-speaking territories from the 7th to 12th centuries CE. Founded in 624 CE by Kubja Vishnuvardhana, a brother of the Western Chalukya king , the dynasty's rulers shifted capitals among , , , and Rajamahendravaram, promoting temple-based arts, music, and dance. Key figures included Vijayaditya II (r. 808–847 CE), who engaged in 108 battles to repel invasions and restore dynastic strength, and Gunaga Vijayaditya III (r. 848–891 CE), who expanded into and defeated the Rashtrakutas. (r. 1019–1061 CE) significantly advanced by commissioning Nannayya's partial translation of the , laying foundations for classical Telugu poetic tradition and elevating Rajamahendravaram as a cultural center. The dynasty's decline in the 11th–12th centuries stemmed from internal strife and external pressures from Cholas and Western Chalukyas, fragmenting control over Telugu lands. Emerging from Chalukya feudatories, the (c. 1163–1323 CE) achieved sovereignty under Rudra Deva (r. 1158–1195 CE), who constructed early irrigation tanks and temples, including precursors to the at Hanumakonda. Ganapati Deva (r. 1199–1262 CE) unified disparate Telugu regions for the first time in five centuries, conquering coastal deltas, , and the while developing (Orugallu) as the fortified capital praised for its viaducts and markets by traveler in 1293 CE. His daughter (r. 1262–1289 CE) ruled effectively as a , repelling Yadava incursions before dying in battle against rebel forces. The dynasty's zenith featured extensive irrigation networks with tanks like Ramappa and Pakala, sustaining agriculture across the Krishna-Godavari basin, alongside architectural marvels such as the , renowned for its earthquake-resistant design and intricate carvings. Literary patronage continued the Mahabharata translation through and supported works like Gona Buddha Reddi's Ranganatha Ramayana, reinforcing Telugu linguistic identity. Prataparudra II (r. 1289–1323 CE) maintained expansions but succumbed to campaigns, with and Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq capturing in 1323 CE after breaching fortifications with catapults. Post-Kakatiya fragmentation led to Telugu successor states, notably the (1325–1448 CE), founded by Prolaya Vema Reddy, which governed from Kondavidu, preserving local autonomy amid Bahmani and influences until subjugation. These medieval polities, through administrative efficiency, , and cultural sponsorship, solidified Telugu cohesion against northern incursions, setting precedents for regional resilience.

Colonial Era

The Telugu-speaking regions were divided during the colonial period, with and largely incorporated into the British under direct administration, while and adjacent areas fell under the semi-autonomous as a subject to British paramountcy. The British acquired the —encompassing key Telugu coastal districts such as Vizagapatam, , and —through a 1766 treaty with the Nizam, Muhammad Ali Khan Walajah, following the company's military support against Mughal and French threats; full sovereignty was secured by 1823 after purchasing residual Nizam claims. These territories formed the northern Telugu districts of the , where Telugu was predominant north of Madras city and east of Bellary. Administrative reforms under British rule emphasized revenue extraction, implementing the ryotwari system in Telugu districts like and by the early , which assessed land directly on cultivators rather than intermediaries, leading to increased commercialization of agriculture but also indebtedness among ryots. The 1858 Government of India Act transferred control from the to the British Crown, integrating Telugu areas into a structured provincial framework with collectors overseeing 24 districts, including Telugu-majority ones; this period saw infrastructure development, such as railways connecting Madras to coastal Telugu ports by the 1870s, facilitating export of rice and indigo. Famines, including the , devastated Telugu ryotwari lands, killing an estimated 1.5 million in districts due to and export-driven grain shortages under laissez-faire policies. Under the Nizam's rule in Hyderabad, Telugu speakers faced linguistic marginalization, with imposed as the and Telugu education restricted in schools to suppress dissent, fostering resentment among Hindu Telugu elites amid a Muslim-dominated . Resistance to British policies manifested in uprisings like the 1879 Rampa Rebellion in the Vizagapatam Hill Tracts, where hill tribes, including Koyas allied with Telugu peasants, attacked police stations over forest restrictions and forced labor, led by figures such as Chandrayya; British forces suppressed it by mid-1880 using tribal auxiliaries. Missionary activities introduced Western education in coastal areas, establishing institutions like in 1837, which educated Telugu youth and spurred social reforms, though conversions remained limited among upper castes. By the late , Telugu intellectuals in British-ruled areas leveraged —such as the Andhra Patrika founded in —to critique colonial exploitation and advocate regional identity, laying groundwork for anti-colonial mobilization without direct Nizam interference in those zones.

Modern Era and State Formation

The push for a separate Telugu state gained momentum after India's independence in 1947, driven by linguistic amid the broader reorganization of provinces inherited from British rule. Telugu speakers in the , comprising and regions, agitated for separation from Tamil-dominated areas, culminating in the martyrdom of , who undertook a fast unto death starting 19 October 1952 and died on 15 December 1952 after 56 days, triggering widespread riots that killed hundreds and forced Prime Minister to announce Andhra State's formation on 19 December 1952. Andhra State was officially carved out on 1 October 1953 from 11 Telugu-speaking districts of (excluding Madras city itself), with as temporary capital and a population of approximately 31 million, marking the first linguistic state in independent . The States Reorganisation Act of 1956, enacted following the Commission's recommendations, merged with the Telugu-speaking region (comprising 9 districts from the former ) to form the unified on 1 November 1956, encompassing 16.3 million hectares and a exceeding 35 million, with Hyderabad designated as the joint capital. This consolidation prioritized linguistic unity among Telugu speakers but overlooked initial economic disparities, as 's agrarian economy contrasted with 's coastal trade orientation; safeguards included the , which promised equitable resource allocation and protections against demographic influx to preserve local interests. Despite these, grievances over water diversion, job quotas, and underdevelopment persisted, evident in the 1969 agitation, where police actions resulted in over 300 deaths and the dismissal of the . Regional tensions simmered through the late 20th century, exacerbated by Andhra's coastal growth outpacing Telangana's interior, until the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), founded in 2001 by K. Chandrashekar Rao, revived demands via electoral and mass mobilization. A 2009-2010 surge, including student suicides and indefinite strikes, prompted the Congress-led UPA government's 9 December 2009 announcement for Telangana, later paused amid Andhra counter-protests but ultimately leading to the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act passed on 1 March 2014. Telangana emerged as India's 29th state on 2 June 2014 with 10 districts (later expanded), a population of 35 million, and Hyderabad as its capital for a decade-long transition, while residual Andhra Pradesh retained 13 districts, lost Hyderabad, and began developing Amaravati as its new capital; the bifurcation addressed long-standing claims of exploitation but triggered economic disruptions, including asset division disputes resolved via tribunal. This division formalized distinct regional identities within Telugu ethnolinguistic lines, reflecting causal factors like uneven development and political mobilization over unified statehood ideals.

Demographics and Social Structure

Population Distribution and Diaspora

The Telugu people are predominantly distributed across the Indian states of and , where they form the ethnic majority and Telugu is the primary language. As per the , Telugu speakers totaled 81.1 million nationwide, accounting for approximately 6.7% of India's population, with the overwhelming majority—over 75 million—concentrated in these two states, comprising about 83.5% of their combined population. Significant minority populations exist in neighboring states, including around 4.23 million Telugu speakers in as documented in the state's 2024 Language Atlas, alongside communities in (over 3 million), (about 1 million), and . The , estimated at 2-3 million globally, has grown substantially due to economic migration, particularly in and labor sectors. , the Telugu-speaking surged to 1.23 million by , a fourfold increase from 320,000 in , with concentrations in states like , , , and , largely driven by holders in and . This growth reflects the appeal of high-skilled opportunities in and other tech hubs, where Telugu have established cultural associations and media outlets. Substantial Telugu communities also thrive in Gulf Cooperation Council countries, fueled by contract labor in construction, oil, and services. Estimates place around 400,000 Telugu speakers in the United Arab Emirates and 300,000 in Saudi Arabia, contributing to remittances that support Andhra Pradesh and Telangana economies. Smaller but notable diasporas exist in Australia (tens of thousands, primarily skilled migrants), Canada, the United Kingdom, and Malaysia, often centered in urban areas with active Telugu-language schools and temples. These expatriate networks maintain strong ties to homeland through festivals, philanthropy, and political advocacy.

Castes, Communities, and Endogamy

Telugu society, like much of Hindu India, is organized along jatis—endogamous occupational and kinship groups—that overlay the classical varna system of Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras, with regional variations emphasizing agrarian hierarchies. Among Telugu speakers, Brahmins form a priestly and scholarly elite, subdivided into Vaidiki (focused on Vedic rituals and temple duties) and Niyogi (engaged in secular administration, law, and education), reflecting historical divisions where Vaidikis preserved oral traditions while Niyogis adapted to royal service under medieval dynasties. Forward castes such as Reddy, Kamma, Kapu, and Velama dominate landownership and politics in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana; Reddys, traditionally village headmen (nayaks), hold significant rural influence and have produced multiple chief ministers, while Kammas excel in entrepreneurship and irrigation-based agriculture, often rivaling Reddys in electoral strongholds. Kapus, the largest farming community, and Velamas, with martial histories, complete this agrarian Shudra-derived bloc, though all assert upward mobility claims akin to Kshatriya status through land control and military service under Kakatiya and Vijayanagara rule. Other Backward Classes (OBCs), comprising Yadavs (shepherds-turned-dairy farmers), Goudas (toddy tappers), and artisan groups like Kummaris (potters), form a diverse middle stratum, often allied with dominant castes in politics but facing economic marginalization; Scheduled Castes (SCs), including Malas (weavers) and Madigas (leather workers), endure ritual pollution stigma and landlessness, with intra-SC rivalries hindering unified mobilization despite quotas since India's 1950 . Tribal communities (Scheduled Tribes or Adivasis), such as Gonds and Koyas in forested , maintain distinct endogamous clans tied to , minimally integrated into caste hierarchies but increasingly affected by displacement from development projects. These jatis enforce social boundaries through commensality taboos and occupational , fostering intra-group solidarity amid inter-caste competition for resources, as evidenced by village studies showing Reddys controlling 40-60% of farmland in . Endogamy—marriage strictly within jati or sub-jati, often further restricted by (lineage) to avoid —remains normative, preserving cultural homogeneity but amplifying recessive genetic disorders; a 2025 CSIR-CCMB study attributes population-specific ailments like and spinal deformities to this isolation, with communities showing elevated rates (up to 2-3% prevalence versus 0.1-0.2% nationally) due to multi-generational inbreeding within 500-1000 member clans. networks reinforce this via arranged matches through family elders, prioritizing purity over individual choice, though and have marginally increased inter-caste unions to 5-10% in hubs like the , per ethnographic data on high-skilled migrants. incentives under the 1961 Hindu Marriage Act promote inter-caste marriages with cash rewards (₹50,000-₹1,00,000 since 2014 schemes in Andhra), yet social sanctions, including family , sustain 90%+ rates, underscoring 's resilience against legal reforms.

Religion and Philosophy

Dominant Hindu Traditions

The predominant Hindu traditions among Telugu people are and , with also influential, particularly through folk practices and festivals. These traditions emphasize devotional worship (), temple rituals, and integration of local deities into Puranic frameworks, gaining prominence after the decline of around 500 CE. Regional variations exist, with more dominant in and stronger in . Vaishnavism, centered on and his avatars, flourished in under royal patronage from dynasties like the (14th-16th centuries), which supported temples and literature. The Tirumala Temple at , dedicated to Vishnu's avatar, attracts over 50 million pilgrims annually and is one of the world's richest religious sites due to endowments and donations. Saints such as (15th century) composed thousands of keertanas praising , embedding Vaishnava devotion in Telugu music and poetry. Practices include daily puja, recitation of the , and festivals like . Shaivism, focused on Shiva as the supreme deity, features egalitarian sects like Lamudigalam in , akin to Lingayatism, which rejected caste hierarchies and promoted personal linga worship. Key pilgrimage sites include (Mallikarjuna ) and , patronized by Kakatiya rulers (12th-14th centuries) who built enduring Shaiva temples such as Ramappa. Devotees wear lingas and engage in bhakti poetry from the 12th century onward, with rituals involving rudrabhishekam and observance of . Shaktism manifests in goddess worship, blending with Vaishnava and Shaiva elements, seen in festivals like (floral offerings to goddess Gauramma) during Navratri and (offerings to ) in Telangana's rainy season. These practices, rooted in agrarian cycles, involve community processions and bonfires, reflecting syncretic folk . Common observances across sects include (Telugu New Year, marking cosmic renewal) and (harvest thanksgiving with ritual baths and feasts). Temple endowments (deva-bhoga) from medieval land grants sustain these traditions, fostering cultural continuity.

Minority Faiths and Syncretism

Among Telugu people, primarily concentrated in and , and represent the main minority faiths, comprising small but notable portions of the population. According to 2011 census data analyzed by , account for 9.6% of Andhra Pradesh's residents and 12.7% of Telangana's, with communities often linked to medieval and later migrations, including Telugu-speaking Muslims who maintain linguistic ties while following Sunni practices. constitute 1.4% in Andhra Pradesh and 1.3% in Telangana, predominantly Protestant denominations established through 19th-century missionary activities by groups like the London Missionary Society, with concentrations among Scheduled Castes following mass conversions for . Buddhists number approximately 0.02% in Andhra Pradesh and 0.4% in Telangana, reflecting a minor revival tied to historical sites rather than widespread adherence, while Jains remain under 0.1%, mostly urban traders preserving ancient mercantile traditions. Syncretism among Telugu religious expressions is more evident in historical integrations of pre-Hindu Indic faiths into dominant than in modern interactions with Abrahamic minorities. Elements of Buddhist and Jain iconography, such as motifs and influences, appear in medieval Telugu Hindu temples like those of the (12th-14th centuries), where Shaiva and Vaishnava sects absorbed ascetic and non-theistic philosophies without doctrinal merger. In contemporary settings, Telugu Christian and Muslim communities often retain and cultural festivals adapted from Hindu origins—such as celebrations incorporating harvest rituals—but these reflect cultural continuity post-conversion rather than mutual theological blending. Isolated folk practices, like Hindu participation in Sufi shrine rituals in Telangana's Deccan regions, occur due to geographic proximity under historical Muslim rule, yet lack institutional endorsement and stem from localized utility over ideological synthesis. Overall, religious boundaries remain firm, with minorities facing occasional social tensions amid Hindu , as documented in state-level demographic shifts from 1951 to 2011 showing Christian growth from conversions outpacing natural increase.

Culture and Traditions

Language and Literature

Telugu is a member of the Dravidian language family, specifically within the South Dravidian I subgroup, which diverged from the reconstructed spoken approximately 4,500 years ago in the region encompassing southern . It serves as the official language of the Indian states of and , where it is native to the majority population, and is one of 22 scheduled languages recognized under the Indian Constitution. According to the , Telugu had 81,127,740 native speakers within the country, accounting for about 6.7% of 's total population and ranking it as the fourth most spoken language after , Bengali, and Marathi. Globally, the Telugu-speaking adds several million more, including over 1.2 million in the United States as of 2024, driven by migration for education and employment. The evolved from the ancient of the 3rd century BCE, passing through intermediate stages such as the Kadamba and Old Telugu-Kannada scripts by the 7th century CE, resulting in its characteristic rounded letter forms adapted for palm-leaf inscriptions. The earliest known Telugu inscriptions date to around 575 CE, though the language's literary tradition solidified later. In recognition of its antiquity, high literary heritage, and original works spanning over 1,500 years, the classified Telugu as a on October 31, 2008, alongside Tamil, , , and others, entitling it to institutional support for preservation and study. Telugu literature originated in the 11th century CE during the Eastern Chalukya dynasty, with Nannaya Bhattaraka—regarded as the Adi Kavi (first poet)—initiating the translation of the Sanskrit Mahabharata into Telugu verse under royal patronage of King Rajarajanarendra, covering the first two and a half books (parvas). This effort was continued by Tikkana Somayaji (c. 1205–1288), who rendered books 4 through 18, and completed by Errapragada (14th century), who filled the gap in the third book, collectively forming the Andhra Mahabharatam and establishing the Kavitrayam (trinity of poets) as foundational figures. Early works emphasized poetic adaptation of epics, puranas, and kavyas, blending devotional themes with linguistic innovation in meter and rhetoric. The era (1336–1565 CE) marked the zenith of classical , producing over 300 major works including prabandhas (romantic narratives) and philosophical treatises by poets like (14th–15th centuries) and Bammera Potana, whose Bhagavatam remains a devotional cornerstone. Post-medieval developments under Nayak rulers sustained courtly poetry, while 19th– colonial influences spurred forms: the emerged with Veturi Prabhakara Sastry's Rajasekhara Charitramu (1872), followed by social realist short stories and poetry addressing , reform, and , exemplified by Gurajada Apparao's (1892), a landmark play critiquing practices. Modern Telugu literature continues to evolve, incorporating global themes while preserving oral traditions like harikathas (narrative discourses).

Performing Arts and Cinema

Kuchipudi, a classical Indian dance-drama form, originated in the 17th century in the village of near in , primarily among Telugu-speaking communities known as Bhagavathulu. It draws from Vaishnavite traditions, with foundational choreography attributed to the poet Sidhyendra Yogi for the dance-drama Bhama Kalapam, depicting episodes from involving , a consort of Krishna. Initially performed exclusively by male troupes traveling village-to-village in the Bhagavata Mela Natakam style, it integrated elements of dance, music, mime, and dialogue rooted in the . The form gained wider prominence in the through revival efforts by Vempati Chinna Satyam, who established the Kuchipudi Art Academy in 1963 and trained female dancers, shifting it from an all-male tradition. Telugu folk performing arts include Burrakatha, a narrative storytelling tradition combining prose, poetry, song, and percussion, often performed by trios using a buffalo horn (burra) as a prop. This oral art form, prevalent in rural and , historically conveyed mythological tales, social commentary, and political messages, with performers improvising based on audience cues. Other regional variants, such as Veshalu and Chindu Yakshagana, feature masked enactments and ballad singing, preserving pre-modern Telugu cultural motifs through community performances. The Telugu film industry, known as Tollywood, emerged in the early , with pioneering exhibitor establishing the first Telugu film studio in Madras (now ) around 1912 and producing the Bhishma Pratigna in 1921. The first , Bhakta Prahlada, released in 1931, marked the shift to talkies, blending mythological themes with emerging social narratives. Centered in Hyderabad's since the post-independence era, the industry has produced over 3,000 feature films by the 2020s, driven by family dynasties like the Akkineni, Nandamuri, and Allu-Konidela clans, which dominate production and stardom. Known for high-budget spectacles, action epics, and pan-India appeal, achieved global milestones with films like Baahubali (2015–2017), grossing over ₹1,800 crore worldwide, reflecting Telugu cultural motifs while adapting to digital streaming and dubbing markets.

Cuisine, Clothing, and Festivals

Telugu cuisine centers on as the primary staple, complemented by lentil-based dishes like pappu, curries, and tangy pickles known as pachadi, which utilize ingredients such as leaves, , , and ridge gourd. Andhra variants emphasize intense spiciness from chili peppers and mustard seeds, often rendering meals incomplete without multiple pachadi types, while dishes incorporate more non-vegetarian elements, including goat curries and biryanis influenced by Deccani traditions. features prominently in preparations, contrasting with the inland focus on millets and pulses in , where —a slow-cooked wheat, lentil, and meat stew—gains popularity during but persists in secular contexts. Traditional clothing for Telugu men includes the or , a wrapped garment paired with a or shirt in rural settings, and lungis for casual or home use, reflecting practical adaptations to the . Women predominantly wear sarees, favoring varieties from centers like Pochampally and , with younger unmarried girls or brides donning the —a two-piece skirt-blouse ensemble symbolizing regional heritage. Urban influences have popularized kameez and western attire, yet sarees retain ceremonial significance, often featuring work for festivals. Major festivals among Telugu people include , the lunar New Year observed on the first day of (typically March–April), involving ritual baths, neem-jaggery pachadi to embody life's six tastes—sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent—and home decorations with mango leaves for prosperity. , a mid-January termed Pedda Panduga, features bonfires (), kite-flying competitions, cow veneration, and foods like pongal (rice-lentil pudding) alongside patterns, emphasizing agricultural gratitude and family gatherings. Deepavali entails lamp-lighting, firecrackers, and worship for wealth, while Dasara involves tool blessings () and recitals, underscoring Hindu devotional practices shared across Andhra and regions. These observances, rooted in agrarian cycles and Vedic calendars, maintain communal ties despite modern dilutions in diaspora settings.

Architecture and Visual Arts

Telugu architectural traditions prominently feature temple construction influenced by successive dynasties ruling the Andhra and Telangana regions, emphasizing intricate stone carvings, star-shaped platforms, and seismic-resistant designs. Early examples include the Amaravati Mahachaitya, a Buddhist from the Satavahana era (circa 2nd century BCE to 3rd century CE), renowned for its narrative reliefs depicting and royal processions, exemplifying the indigenous Amaravati school of sculpture. These structures highlight a synthesis of Buddhist with local motifs like lotuses and yakshis, constructed using polished slabs. Kakatiya architecture (12th-14th centuries CE) represents a peak in Telugu temple building, characterized by ornate pillars, bracket-supported eaves, and detailed friezes of deities and mythical scenes. The Rudreshwara Temple () at Palampet, constructed around 1213 CE under Kakatiya ruler Ganapati Deva by general Recharla Rudra, exemplifies this style with its lightweight "floating" bricks made from sand and lime, intricate black basalt carvings, and earthquake-resistant foundations using sand cushions. Designated a in 2021, the temple's star-shaped plinth and perforated screens underscore Kakatiya innovations in and . Other Kakatiya edifices, such as the Thousand Pillars Temple in (circa 1163 CE), feature multidirectional halls and profuse sculptural embellishments. Vijayanagara-era temples (14th-16th centuries CE) in Telugu regions blend Dravidian elements with local adaptations, seen in structures like the Veerabhadra Temple at (circa 1530 CE), which boasts monolithic hanging ceilings, frescoed murals, and colossal figures of serpents and guardians. These temples often incorporate tall gopurams, pillared mandapas, and narrative bas-reliefs, reflecting imperial patronage for Hindu devotional architecture amid regional threats. In visual arts, Telugu traditions excel in temple-integrated sculptures and textile paintings using natural dyes. Kakatiya and temples feature high-relief carvings of apsaras, dvārapālas, and epics like the , executed in durable or for symbolic durability. , originating from in since at least the , involves hand-drawn or block-printed fabrics dyed with vegetable extracts, depicting mythological scenes through resist techniques and mordants for color fixation. This art form, practiced by Telugu artisan communities, emphasizes fine line work and up to 20 iterative washes for vibrancy. Nirmal paintings from , traditionally on wood panels since the 14th century under Kakatiya influence, employ mineral colors for floral, avian, and epic motifs, often lacquered for longevity and exported as toys and miniatures. These arts prioritize empirical craftsmanship, with motifs rooted in rather than abstract experimentation.

Economy, Society, and Politics

Economic Contributions and Achievements

Telugu people have significantly shaped India's and pharmaceutical sectors, particularly through enterprises centered in Hyderabad, the capital of . Hyderabad's IT ecosystem, driven by Telugu-led companies and professionals, generated software exports of ₹1,23,966.85 from STPI-registered units in FY 2023-24. 's IT exports, primarily from Hyderabad, ranked second nationally at ₹2,41,275 in FY 2022-23, bolstered by global capability centers that account for 36-38% of the state's IT exports. In pharmaceuticals, produces approximately one-third of India's total output, with over 800 units forming a key cluster that exported goods worth billions annually. Prominent Telugu entrepreneurs have founded major firms in these domains. Kallam Anji Reddy, a chemist from , established in 1984, pioneering affordable generic drugs and expanding it into a global player with revenues exceeding $3 billion by the 2020s. In the startup space, Sriharsha Majety and Nandan Reddy, both of Telugu origin, co-founded in 2014, growing it into India's leading food delivery platform valued at over $10 billion by 2024. These ventures exemplify Telugu contributions to innovation, with Hyderabad's and attracting investments in biotech and software, contributing to Telangana's GSDP share of about 4% of India's national GDP as of 2022-23. In the diaspora, Telugu professionals have achieved prominence in global technology leadership. Satya Nadella, born in Hyderabad to a Telugu family, has served as CEO of Microsoft since 2014, overseeing its growth to a market capitalization exceeding $3 trillion by 2025. The Telugu-speaking population in the United States reached 1.23 million in 2024, up fourfold from 2016, with many excelling in the tech sector amid a broader Indian diaspora that generated $103 billion in U.S. revenue through IT services in 2021, employing over 207,000 Americans at an average wage of $106,360. This diaspora also channels remittances and investments back to Telugu states, supporting infrastructure and entrepreneurship, as evidenced by calls from state leaders for non-resident Telugus to boost per capita income by 50% over the next decade.

Political Movements and Regional Identities

The Andhra movement, initiated in the early 20th century, sought a separate administrative unit for Telugu-speaking regions within the Madras Presidency under British rule, culminating in intensified demands post-independence. Activist Potti Sreeramulu's 56-day fast unto death, beginning October 19, 1952, in Madras, pressured the central government; his death on December 15, 1952, sparked widespread riots, leading Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to announce the creation of Andhra State, which was established on October 1, 1953, comprising Telugu districts excluding Hyderabad State. On November 1, 1956, Andhra State merged with the Telugu-speaking Telangana region (formerly part of the princely state of Hyderabad) to form the unified Andhra Pradesh under the States Reorganisation Act, driven by linguistic affinity but sowing seeds of regional disparity. Persistent grievances in Telangana over economic neglect, resource allocation, and dominance by elites fueled sub-regionalism, manifesting in major agitations. The 1969 movement, led by students and unions, protested against perceived job and irrigation inequities, resulting in over 350 deaths from before subsiding. Renewed demands in 2009, triggered by politician K. Chandrashekar Rao's hunger strike, escalated into protests, leading to the Reorganisation Act of 2014 and 's formation as a separate state on June 2, 2014, with 10 , amid disputes over assets, water from Krishna and Godavari rivers, and Hyderabad's status as a joint capital until 2024. This bifurcation highlighted causal factors like uneven development, with 's fertile deltas enabling higher compared to 's drier and Rayalaseema's arid interiors. Telugu regionalism gained institutional form through parties prioritizing local interests over national ones. Actor-politician founded the (TDP) on March 29, 1982, emphasizing Telugu self-respect (Telugu Vaari Atma Gauravam) and critiquing -led central government's neglect of ; the TDP swept the 1983 assembly elections, securing 202 of 294 seats and ending dominance. Post-bifurcation, 's politics revolved around residual Telugu identity via TDP and , while 's (formerly Telangana Rashtra Samithi) channeled separatist momentum into state-specific governance. Regional identities within Telugu populations reflect geographic, economic, and cultural variances exacerbating political fault lines. , encompassing fertile Krishna-Godavari deltas, fosters a mercantile-agricultural with higher urbanization and remittances; , in southern , features factional politics tied to landowning castes and historical warrior traditions; , plateau-dominated with tribal influences, emphasizes Hyderabad's urban cosmopolitanism alongside rural underdevelopment, fostering a distinct "Telangana" nomenclature over "Andhra" to assert . These divisions, rooted in pre-merger histories— and from , from Nizam's Hyderabad—persist in electoral mobilization, with water-sharing pacts like those under the underscoring inter-regional tensions.

Social Criticisms and Challenges

Telugu society in and has faced persistent challenges from factional violence, particularly in the region, where family and rivalries intertwined with political dominance have fueled cycles of killings and intimidation for decades. This phenomenon, rooted in land disputes and power struggles among dominant castes like the Kamma and communities, saw a resurgence in 2024 following electoral shifts, with incidents such as the violence highlighting ongoing struggles for local control despite legal crackdowns like the Andhra Pradesh Suppression of Disturbances Act. Agrarian distress has contributed to exceptionally high rates of farmer suicides among Telugu rural populations, with Andhra Pradesh and Telangana accounting for over 25% of India's total farmer suicides—89,400 cases—in the 15 years leading up to 2023, driven primarily by indebtedness, crop failures from droughts, and inadequate irrigation rather than isolated factors. Small and marginal s, often burdened by loans for cash s like , represent the majority of victims, underscoring systemic vulnerabilities in the agricultural economy despite government interventions. Crimes against women remain a significant concern, with Telangana recording 23,678 cases in 2023—a 7% increase from 22,066 in 2022—placing it among the highest in southern , including elevated rates of abetment to and cybercrimes like online in urban centers such as Hyderabad. In Andhra Pradesh, cases declined 12% to 22,418 in 2023, yet reports stood at 438, reflecting persistent inequalities exacerbated by patriarchal norms and uneven enforcement of protective laws. Caste-based discrimination and violence persist, with Dalit communities in Telugu regions encountering ongoing vitriol and assaults that reinforce social hierarchies, as evidenced by protests over quotas in 2016 that turned violent in and reports of endemic exclusion despite constitutional safeguards. These incidents, often linked to upper-caste resistance against , highlight fault lines in a society where dominant groups maintain influence through economic and political means. Alcoholism has emerged as a social scourge in rural Telugu areas, particularly , where normalization of heavy drinking correlates with , family breakdowns, and mounting debts, amplifying cycles in households already strained by migration and unemployment. Historical missionary critiques in Telugu print media from 1900–1940 framed it as a universal vice intersecting with dynamics, a pattern echoed in contemporary data showing its disproportionate toll on lower-income groups.

Notable Figures

In Politics and Governance

(1913–1996), born in Illur village of present-day , served as the sixth from July 25, 1977, to July 25, 1982, and was the youngest person to hold the office at age 64 upon election. A member of the initially, he later joined the and had earlier terms as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh from March 29, 1956, to November 1, 1956, and from May 20, 1970, to June 17, 1971, as well as from 1969 to 1977. Pamulaparti Venkata Narasimha Rao (1921–2004), from a Telugu Niyogi Brahmin family in of the region, was from June 21, 1991, to May 16, 1996, during which he initiated market-oriented economic reforms that dismantled the License Raj and opened India to foreign investment amid a balance-of-payments crisis. He previously served as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh from 1971 to 1973, of undivided again briefly in 1983, and held union cabinet roles including Home Minister and Defence Minister; he also chaired the Telugu Academy from 1968 to 1974 to promote and literature. Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao (1923–1996), a prominent Telugu film actor who starred in mythological roles, entered politics by founding the on March 29, 1982, to advocate for Telugu regional interests against perceived northern dominance, winning the 1983 assembly elections and serving as from January 9, 1983, to October 16, 1984; October 16, 1984, to December 16, 1989; and December 16, 1994, to March 11, 1995, implementing populist welfare schemes like subsidized rice distribution. His party contributed to the National Front coalition that briefly governed in 1989–1990. Nara Chandrababu Naidu (born April 20, 1950), leader of the since ousting in 1995, has served as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh for four nonconsecutive terms: May 1, 1995, to May 13, 2004; June 8, 2014, to May 29, 2019; and from June 12, 2024, onward, emphasizing information technology hubs like in Hyderabad and infrastructure projects such as the capital city initiative. He held union cabinet positions, including Minister of Information Technology from 1999 to 2004 under the government. Kalvakuntla Chandrashekar Rao (born February 17, 1954), from Chintamadaka village in , founded the Telangana Rashtra Samithi on April 27, 2001, to spearhead the statehood movement, achieving Telangana's creation via the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act of 2014 and serving as its first from June 2, 2014, to December 7, 2023, with policies focused on regional welfare and irrigation projects. He began in the Youth Congress and later joined the before breaking away for the Telangana cause. Muppavarapu Venkaiah Naidu (born July 1, 1949), from Chavatapalem in of , served as the 13th from August 11, 2017, to August 11, 2022, and held central ministerial portfolios including Urban Development, Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, and Information and Broadcasting from 2014 to 2017, as well as Parliamentary Affairs earlier. A member since the 1970s, he rose through student politics at .

In Science, Technology, and Business

Yellapragada Subbarao (1895–1948), born in , , advanced biochemistry through the discovery of (ATP)'s role in cellular energy transfer and the isolation of folic acid, which enabled treatments for and . His work at Lederle Laboratories also contributed to the development of and for cancer therapy, though he received limited recognition during his lifetime due to institutional attributions. Dabbala Rajagopal Reddy (born 1937), originating from Katur village in present-day (formerly ), pioneered systems as a professor at . He co-developed Hearsay I, the first viable system for continuous , and advanced and human-computer interaction, earning the 1994 ACM with for large-scale AI design. In technology leadership, (born 1967), from a Telugu family in Hyderabad, assumed the role of CEO in 2014, expanding Azure cloud services to over $100 billion in annual revenue by 2023 and integrating AI tools like Copilot across products. His tenure has emphasized and partnerships, contributing to 's market capitalization exceeding $3 trillion in 2024. Shantanu Narayen (born 1963), raised in Hyderabad, has led as CEO since 2007, shifting the company from desktop software to a subscription model via Creative Cloud, which generated $19.4 billion in fiscal 2024 revenue. This pivot increased Adobe's valuation and incorporated AI features like Firefly for generative content creation.

In Arts, Literature, and Entertainment

Telugu literary tradition traces its classical foundations to the trio—Nannaya Bhattaraka (11th century), Somayaji (13th century), and —who translated the into Telugu verse between the 11th and 14th centuries, establishing Andhra Mahabharatam as a cornerstone of the language's and influencing subsequent poetic forms. In the modern era, (1862–1915) pioneered realistic drama with (1892), a satirical play condemning and practices that remains a staple in Telugu theater for its social reformist themes. Contributions to Carnatic music include composers such as (1408–1503), who authored over 32,000 devotional sankeertanas praising , and (1767–1847), credited with more than 2,400 kritis that form a core repertoire in South Indian classical performances. feature dance, originating from villages, with Vempati Chinna Satyam (1929–2012) standardizing its techniques through rigorous training systems and global propagation via his Kuchipudi Art Academy founded in 1963. In Telugu cinema, known as Tollywood, director (born 1973) elevated the industry internationally with Baahubali: The Beginning (2015) and its sequel (2017), which collectively grossed over $500 million worldwide, alongside (2022) earning an Academy Award for Best Original Song. (1930–2023), a recipient of the in 1992, directed socially conscious films like Sankarabharanam (1980), blending classical music with narrative depth to win multiple National Film Awards. Actors such as (born 1962) have starred in over 100 films since 1982, often portraying heroic roles that underscore Telugu cultural motifs of valor and tradition.

References

  1. https://macmillan.yale.edu/southasia/telugu
  2. https://scholarblogs.emory.edu/telugustudies/
  3. http://andhraportal.org/history-andhra-satavahana-dynasty/
  4. https://devdutt.com/a-brief-history-of-the-lion-kings-of-andhra/
  5. https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1513254
  6. https://aria.edu/siliconandhra-the-hindu-article/
  7. https://swarajyamag.com/culture/trilinga-desa-the-telugu-states-tryst-with-the-divine
  8. https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/trilingadesha
  9. http://eemaata.com/history/telugu_literary_homepage/Telugu/telugu_origin.html
  10. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3769933/
  11. https://www.science.org/content/article/south-asians-are-descended-mix-farmers-herders-and-hunter-gatherers-ancient-dna-reveals
  12. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2621241/
  13. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960982200800573
  14. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/genetics/articles/10.3389/fgene.2018.00004/full
  15. https://scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu/bitstreams/ce0179af-07b3-4b99-956d-2c4873285adb/download
  16. https://www.academia.edu/7956205/The_Prehistoric_Early_Historical_Transitions_in_Andhra_A_Theoretical_Appraisal
  17. https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/ncert-notes-post-mauryan-india-satavahanas/
  18. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Satavahana-dynasty
  19. https://typecraft.org/tc2wiki/Telugu_The_Language
  20. https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-earliest-Telugu-inscription-found
  21. http://andhraportal.org/history-eastern-chalukya-dynasty/
  22. https://vajiramandravi.com/upsc-exam/kakatiya-dynasty/
  23. http://andhraportal.org/history/
  24. https://jillellareddy.wordpress.com/2011/11/30/history-of-reddy-community/
  25. https://www.britannica.com/place/Madras-Presidency
  26. https://www.britannica.com/place/Telengana/History
  27. https://www.britannica.com/place/Northern-Sarkars
  28. https://www.jstor.org/stable/26552664
  29. https://www.britannica.com/topic/presidencies-in-British-India-Bombay-Madras-and-Bengal
  30. https://www.gktoday.in/question/where-did-the-rampa-rebellion-of-1879-occur-690406
  31. https://indianculture.gov.in/digital-district-repository/district-repository/chandrayya-rampa-rebellion-1879
  32. https://www.ijhsss.com/files/10.-Tirumala-Rao-eng-.pdf
  33. https://ia600500.us.archive.org/13/items/in.ernet.dli.2015.532358/2015.532358.history-of.pdf
  34. https://theprint.in/theprint-profile/nehru-couldnt-ignore-potti-sriramulu-who-gave-india-andhra-pradesh-by-fasting-till-death/875442/
  35. https://vajiramandravi.com/current-affairs/sri-potti-sriramulu/
  36. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/a-political-history-of-andhra-pradesh-from-formation-to-the-ntr-years/article68229762.ece
  37. https://hydkhabar.com/2024/09/how-andhra-pradesh-emerged-from-the-madras-presidency-a-historic-transition/
  38. https://kpiasacademy.com/andhra-state-src-report-1953-1956/
  39. https://www.telangana360.com/2016/09/june-2-2014.html
  40. https://kpiasacademy.com/telangana-state-formation-2014/
  41. https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/this-day-in-history-jun02/
  42. https://www.indiatoday.in/information/story/telangana-formation-day-history-and-the-movement-that-led-to-the-formation-of-telangana-2385777-2023-06-02
  43. https://testbook.com/ias-preparation/most-spoken-languages-in-india
  44. https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/42561/download/46187/Language_Atlas_2011.pdf
  45. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/tn-language-atlas-brings-out-the-states-varied-linguistic-typology-and-distribution/article68403320.ece
  46. https://m.economictimes.com/nri/migrate/telugu-speaking-population-jump-4-fold-in-us-touch-12-3-lakh-this-year/articleshow/111307973.cms
  47. https://www.peoplegroups.org/explore/GroupDetails.aspx?peid=12259
  48. https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/15324/SA
  49. https://drambedkarbooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/wp179.pdf
  50. https://indculture0.tripod.com/brahmins.htm
  51. https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/how-caste-dynamics-power-andhra-pradesh-politics-from-kamma-kapu-rivalry-to-reddys-dominance-9324481/
  52. https://journalsociology.com/index.php/AJSR/article/download/73/73/108
  53. https://repository.dl.itc.u-tokyo.ac.jp/record/2000468/files/ODY_25%5B087-110%5D.pdf
  54. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/endogamy-a-major-cause-for-health-disparity-in-india-says-csir-ccmb-study/article69290229.ece
  55. https://thesouthfirst.com/andhrapradesh/marriage-within-castes-endogamy-puts-reddys-at-higher-risk-of-genetic-disease-says-study/
  56. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1369183X.2017.1314598
  57. https://vajiramandravi.com/current-affairs/understanding-endogamy-in-india/
  58. https://devdutt.com/how-hinduism-took-roots-in-the-telugu-lands/
  59. https://www.thehindu.com/books/Growth-of-Vaishnavism-in-Andhra-Pradesh/article16245201.ece
  60. https://www.poojn.in/post/26937/telugu-rituals-and-practices-a-guide-to-understanding
  61. https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2021/09/21/religious-demography-of-indian-states-and-territories/
  62. https://www.censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/11363
  63. https://blog.cpsindia.org/2016/05/religion-data-of-census-2011-xxiii.html
  64. https://archives.vsktelangana.org/fact-finding-report-religious-demographics-and-their-concealment-in-andhra-pradesh
  65. https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsos.171504
  66. https://events.sts.org.sg/content/about-telugu-language/1066
  67. https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/most-spoken-languages-in-india-by-number-of-speakers-1541764100-1
  68. https://languagemagazine.com/2024/08/08/us-sees-sharp-rise-in-telugu-speakers/
  69. https://www.exoticindiaart.com/book/details/telugu-script-origin-and-evolution-3rd-c-bc-16th-c-ad-hbe912/
  70. https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2061660
  71. https://www.wisdomlib.org/history/compilation/triveni-journal/d/doc67678.html
  72. https://americanteluguassociation.org/literature.php
  73. https://content.ucpress.edu/title/9780520344525/9780520344525_intro.pdf
  74. https://ia802803.us.archive.org/5/items/dli.bengal.10689.12227/10689.12227_text.pdf
  75. https://www.ipassio.com/wiki/dance/indian-classical-dance/kuchipudi
  76. https://www.danceus.org/style/kuchipudi-dance-in-andhra-pradesh-india/
  77. https://akdanceacademy.com/about-kuchipudi/
  78. http://www.kuchipudikalakshetra.com/kuchipudi
  79. https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/kuchipudi-a-tale-of-artistes-struggle-for-survival/article68058220.ece
  80. https://andhraportal.org/folk-arts-burrakatha/
  81. https://telugutraditions.com/burrakatha/
  82. https://www.culturopedia.com/theatre-of-andhra-pradesh/
  83. https://goldenglobes.com/articles/tollywood-telugu-cinema-india/
  84. http://teluguhistorys.blogspot.com/p/telugu-movies-history-hyderabad-imax.html
  85. https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/telugu-film-families-rule-tollywood-akkineni-daggubati-nandamuri-ghattamaneni-allu-konidela-2654670-2024-12-24
  86. https://alpesetnaturephotographie.com/newserx/106855-a-comprehensive-guide-to-the-telugu-cinema-phenomenon
  87. http://indianculture.gov.in/food-and-culture/south/andhra-cuisine-symphony-spices
  88. https://dsel.education.gov.in/sites/default/files/book_unity_in_diversity.pdf
  89. https://www.holidify.com/pages/andhra-pradesh-dresses-123.html
  90. https://www.indiabelong.com/traditional-dress-of-all-states-in-india/
  91. https://www.perniaspopupshop.com/encyclopedia/telangana
  92. https://www.drikpanchang.com/telugu/festivals/ugadi/info/ugadi.html
  93. https://www.poojn.in/post/26945/telugu-festivals-and-celebrations-a-complete-guide
  94. https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/761664
  95. https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/761665
  96. https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1570/
  97. https://tourism.telangana.gov.in/destinations/ramappa
  98. https://www.dsource.in/resource/warangal-fort-and-temple-architecture/history
  99. https://theanamikapandey.com/architecture-of-andhra-pradesh/
  100. https://smarthistory.org/art-and-architecture-of-vijayanagara-empire/
  101. https://laasyaart.com/kalamkari-a-traditional-indian-art-of-perfection/
  102. https://www.ijcrt.org/papers/IJCRT2507613.pdf
  103. http://stpi.in/en/about-stpi-hyderabad
  104. https://www.deccanchronicle.com/southern-states/telangana/it-exports-from-telangana-growing-at-health-pace-says-stpi-director-1858793
  105. https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/telangana-committed-to-promote-pharma-industry-sridhar-babu/article68687134.ece
  106. https://www.pharmabiz.com/ArticleDetails.aspx?aid=178849&sid=11
  107. https://drreddysfoundation.org/our-people/
  108. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0lnYkl4srg
  109. https://www.telangana.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Telangana-Economy-2023.pdf
  110. https://kids.kiddle.co/Satya_Nadella
  111. https://www.news18.com/news/business/indian-tech-industry-generates-103-billion-directly-employs-over-2-lakh-people-in-us-report-5547391.html
  112. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/apnrts-aiming-to-empower-telugu-diaspora-increase-per-capita-income-by-50-per-cent-ravi-vemuri/article69764057.ece
  113. https://www.wisdomlib.org/concept/andhra-movement
  114. https://frontline.thehindu.com/the-nation/india-at-75-epochal-moments-1953-andhra-state-created-potti-sreeramulu/article65723242.ece
  115. https://www.outlookindia.com/brand-studio/independence-day/the-unforgettable-sacrifice-of-potti-sreeramulu-for-andhra-pradesh
  116. https://www.cgg.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Telangana-Ushering-in-the-New-Era_MRK-Murthy-4.pdf
  117. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/a-political-history-of-andhra-pradesh-two-states-and-modern-times/article68406485.ece
  118. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/390741458_Uneven_Development_and_Regional_Backwardness_The_Roots_of_Sub-Regionalism_in_Andhra_Pradesh
  119. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Nandamuri-Taraka-Rama-Rao
  120. https://kpiasacademy.com/telugu-desam-party-formation-1983/
  121. https://www.ijfmr.com/papers/2025/2/41201.pdf
  122. https://www.clearias.com/telangana-andhra-pradesh/
  123. https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2024/05/17/faction-violence-makes-a-bloody-comeback-in-rayalaseema-and-palnadu-regions-of-andhra-pradesh.html
  124. https://journal.sijss.com/index.php/home/article/view/1608
  125. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/over-25-of-indias-farmers-suicides-come-from-andhra-pradesh-telangana/articleshow/111823934.cms
  126. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11404407/
  127. https://www.clearias.com/farmers-suicides/
  128. https://www.deccanchronicle.com/southern-states/telangana/telangana-ranks-second-in-crimes-against-women-1907239
  129. https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/crimes-against-women-surge-telangana-leads-south-hyderabad-ranks-second-in-cyber-abuse-cases/article70117513.ece
  130. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/vijayawada/crimes-against-women-down-by-12-in-2023-in-ap/articleshow/124264518.cms
  131. https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/the-endless-battle-with-caste-based-vitriol-and-violence/article67590434.ece
  132. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-35457188
  133. https://www.reddit.com/r/hyderabad/comments/1mulqqi/alcohol_consumption_is_not_our_telanganas_culture/
  134. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/medical-history/article/power-of-the-universal-caste-and-missionary-medical-discourses-of-alcoholism-in-the-telugu-print-sphere-19001940/25EB47F5712B0E1B7195B7010CDE2509
  135. http://www.presidentofindia.gov.in/neelam-sanjiva-reddy-profile
  136. https://vajiramandravi.com/current-affairs/chief-ministers-of-andhra-pradesh/
  137. https://www.pmindia.gov.in/en/former_pm/shri-p-v-narasimha-rao-2/
  138. https://www.britannica.com/biography/P-V-Narasimha-Rao
  139. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Nara-Chandrababu-Naidu
  140. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/chandrababu-naidu-sworn-in-as-andhra-pradesh-chief-minister/article68280396.ece
  141. https://khammam.telangana.gov.in/kcr-profile/
  142. https://www.mvenkaiahnaidu.net/biography.php
  143. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11415601/
  144. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11927979/
  145. https://amturing.acm.org/award_winners/reddy_9634208.cfm
  146. https://www.hindustantimes.com/technology/this-indian-origin-man-gave-up-his-green-card-to-get-h-1b-visa-he-now-runs-rs-34163536-crore-biz-he-is-101761384017447.html
  147. https://www.forbes.com/profile/shantanu-narayen/
  148. https://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Commoner/2017-12-19/Epic-contribution-of-Kavitrayam-to-literature/346383
  149. https://www.yovizag.com/?p=96544
  150. https://www.eambalam.com/samaagama/know.php?id=3&subid=26&subsubid=38
  151. https://www.imdb.com/list/ls567001442/
  152. https://www.imdb.com/list/ls597944340/
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.