Telugu (తెలుగు) is a Dravidian language and is the only language other than Hindi and Bengali that is predominantly spoken in more than one Indian State. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and in the Union Territory of Yanam where it is an Official language. It is also spoken by significant minorities in Andaman and Nicobar, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and by the Sr
i Lankan Gypsy people. It is one of the six languages designated Classical Language of India. Telugu ranks 3rd by the number of native speakers in India but unfortunately is declining. Telugu retains some features of Sanskrit that have subsequently lost in some of Sanskrit’s daughter languages. The great emperor Sri Krishnadeva Raya stated
“దేశ భాషలందు తెలుగు లెస్స” – రాజు శ్రీకృష్ణదేవరాయ
“Desa bhashalandu Telugu lessa” meaning Telugu is the sweetest among the languages of the nation. Nicolo Di Conti, a traveller from Italy fell in love with Telugu and called is as the Italian of the East. What promoted him to say so was that words in Telugu, like in Italian, would be pronounced crystal clear without the need for the speaker to spell any last letter silent as in English. i.e., all Telugu words ended with vowels similar to Italian. During the British reign, many Britishers showed interest in learning Telugu and one of them is C. P.BROWN, who even mastered the poetry and became the first person to write the Telugu dictionary. Telugu Bhasha Dinotsavam is celebrated on 29th August every year. It is the birthday of Telugu Poet Gidugu Venkata Ramamurthy. Though in the current decade the Telugu language has undergone globalization due to increasing settlement of Telugu speaking people abroad yet the status of the language is DECLINING. It is the call of hour to join hands to revive the language. It is our tribute to our Mother Tongue. Asthitvam is a programme to implement various activities to revive Telugu language which undoubtedly includes our Culture and Heritage. Five elements – panchabootas, mother tongue and our culture relating to lost traditions, ethics and values is our small attempt. Like minded people can contact us.