Telugu Language Day was celebrated in Saudi Arabia through a ‘P4 (Public-Private-People Partnership)’ awareness programme, highlighting Andhra Pradesh’s developmental vision and the importance of Telugu heritage among the diaspora.
Key Highlights
Event Organisers:
- Saudi Arabia Telugu Association (SATA)
- TDP NRI Committee (Telugu Desam Party’s NRI Wing)
Theme:
- Awareness on P4 model (Public-Private-People Partnership) — aimed at achieving “Zero Poverty by 2047”.
Participation:
- Over 2,000 attendees joined the celebration.
- 100+ NRIs registered to support vulnerable families under the programme.
Objective:
- Promote inclusive growth, social empowerment, and poverty eradication through community participation.
- Strengthen the connection between Telugu NRIs and Andhra Pradesh’s development vision.
Significance:
- The event symbolised cultural pride and community-driven governance, combining linguistic celebration with social responsibility.
Telugu Language Day
- Date: 29 August (Every Year)
- Observed In: Andhra Pradesh and Telangana
- Purpose: To commemorate the birth anniversary of Gidugu Venkata Ramamurthy (1848–1919), a prominent Telugu scholar and reformer.
- First Observed: 1966, on Ramamurthy’s 118th birth anniversary.
- Organised By: Department of Culture, Government of Andhra Pradesh.
- Supported By: State funding for awards, cultural events, and literary promotion.
Gidugu Venkata Ramamurthy
- Born: 29 August 1848, Giddalur, Andhra Pradesh.
- Contributions:
- Pioneered use of Vyavaharika Bhasha (spoken Telugu) instead of classical Telugu in education and administration.
- Advocated for linguistic simplicity, social reform, and education of women and backward classes.
- Considered a pioneer of modern Telugu literature and language reform in South India.
Telugu Language
- Language Family: Dravidian
- Native Speakers: Over 80 million globally
- Rank in India: 5th most spoken language
- Official Language: Andhra Pradesh and Telangana
- Also Spoken In: Parts of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh.
- Fastest-Growing Indian Language: In the United States, as per census data.
- Script: Telugu Script (derived from ancient Brahmi Script)
Linguistic & Literary Significance
- Phonetic Language: Each letter corresponds to a specific sound, making it easier to read and write.
- Syllable-Timed Language: Each syllable receives equal stress, unlike stress-timed languages like English.
- Gender System: Three grammatical genders — Masculine, Feminine, Neuter.
- Vocabulary: Rich linguistic diversity with words derived from Sanskrit, Arabic, Persian, and English.
- Historical Origin: Dates back to 11th century CE with early inscriptions and classical works.
Classical and Cultural Importance
- Classical Language Status: Declared “Classical Language of India” in 2008 by the Government of India.
- Major Classical Works:
- Mahabharata (by Kavitrayam — Nannayya, Tikkana, Errapragada)
- Ramayana and various devotional poetry collections.
- Notable Poets: Nannayya, Tikkana, Errapragada, Potana, and Annamacharya.
- Cultural Heritage: Known for its contribution to literature, poetry, dance, cinema, and Carnatic music.
- Nickname: Often called the “Italian of the East” due to its musical tone and phonetic beauty (as described by linguists).
About P4 Model (Public–Private–People Partnership)
- Initiated By: Government of Andhra Pradesh.
- Aim: To achieve “Zero Poverty by 2047” through inclusive participation.
- Approach:
- Public Sector: Provides infrastructure and policy support.
- Private Sector: Brings innovation, efficiency, and investments.
- People’s Participation: Encourages citizen ownership, volunteerism, and local accountability.
- Focus Areas: Livelihood generation, social inclusion, skill development, and sustainable community welfare.
Cultural and Socio-Economic Significance
- Strengthens cultural identity among the Telugu diaspora worldwide.
- Reinforces community-led development models like P4 for global collaboration.
- Promotes Telugu language and literature, connecting NRIs to their linguistic roots and Andhra Pradesh’s growth vision.
Key Facts
Topic | Details |
Event | Telugu Language Day celebrated in Saudi Arabia |
Organisers | SATA & TDP NRI Committee |
Theme | P4 Model – Public-Private-People Partnership |
Goal of P4 | Zero Poverty by 2047 |
Telugu Language Day Date | 29 August |
Honoured Personality | Gidugu Venkata Ramamurthy (1848–1919) |
First Observed | 1966 |
States Observed In | Andhra Pradesh & Telangana |
Language Family | Dravidian |
Speakers Worldwide | 80 million+ |
Declared Classical Language | 2008 |
Nickname | “Italian of the East” |
Script Origin | Derived from Brahmi script |
Fastest-Growing in US | Telugu |