Do you want to connect with Telugu culture? Are you looking to keep up with current trends in the Telugu states? Or perhaps you wish to know what the hype about Telugu movies is all about (remember the naatu naatu song from the movie RRR being performed at Oscars 2023, anyone?). No matter what you’re looking for, Telugu media has a bit of everything to keep you informed, entertained, and up to date. Even more so, following media outlets can help you learn the language faster.
So, today we’re going to explore the history, evolution, impact, and importance of Telugu media in the lives of Telugu people and how it became the modern-day media industry. Let’s go.
Table Of Contents
The History Of Telugu Media
Before we discuss our main topic, you should know a few things. One is that the language and people of Telugu have always valued literary and poetic advancements more than scientific inventions.
The Telugu people, especially during medieval times when the Telugu language flourished, focused more on poetry and literary records of religious texts than scientific advancements. They did have advanced knowledge of architecture, astronomy, mathematics, and engineering, but those works were largely intertwined with religion.
This can be attributed to an already developed and self-sufficient lifestyle made possible by rich, fertile lands and established trade routes, so the need never arose.
This history of prosperity shaped modern Telugu journalism and media, which put a lot more emphasis on movies, crime, breaking news, etc., in contrast with its original purpose—to preserve Telugu culture and instill nationalistic ideas in the people.
Now that you have some context, let’s learn about its inception and formats.
The Inception Of Telugu Media
The first Telugu journal was published by Christian missionaries in 1835 and was called Satya Dootha, meaning Angel of Truth. The first Telugu newspaper was published by freedom fighter Konda Venkatappayya in 1902 and was called Krishna Patrika, meaning Krishna’s letter.
A number of Telugu news outlets emerged later with many great purposes. These were the launchpads of Telugu journalism. Of those many, a few stood the test of time and now rule over Telugu media, such as Eenadu, Andhra Jyothi, and Sakshi.
Here’s a bit more about them.
Major Newspapers In Telugu
- Eenadu: The largest Telugu daily, with ten editions across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
- Andhra Jyothi: A well-liked daily from Hyderabad, known for its responsible reporting.
- Sakshi: A popular newspaper with a broad appeal, available in cities like Hyderabad, Vijayawada, and Visakhapatnam.
Keep in mind that these newspapers and news channels are only published in Telugu. Some publish in English, but they focus on international and national coverage. One that is published in English about Andhra and Telangana is The Times of India.
Another thing to note is that, due to political influence, some of these outlets support one or the other political party, so consume your news with discretion.
Major Television Channels In Telugu
Moving on to television, here are some popular Telugu TV channels.
- ETV: A popular Telugu TV channel providing a mix of news, talk shows, and special features.
- Sakshi TV: A popular Telugu TV channel offering entertainment and news programs. It’s known for its solid political coverage, particularly aligning with certain political ideologies.
- T News: Focuses primarily on news from Telangana. It’s known for its emphasis on regional issues, with a strong focus on political, social, and cultural matters specific to the state.
- Gemini: Airs great movies and soaps.
- Star Maa Telugu: Known for its exciting games, reality shows, and daily soaps.
The Telugu Entertainment Industry: Tollywood
If there’s one thing that unites the entire Telugu community, that’s entertainment biz. Nowhere in India, if not in the world, you’ll find such dedicated and passionate people who worship and love their films and actors.
In movies, we’ve got fan wars, first-day collection wars, festive collection wars, Twitter trending wars, and whatnot. A few ardent fans even sell their stuff to buy tickets so that their favorite actor’s movie makes more money at the box office. That’s how much our people love movies; take that, Hollywood!
On the other hand, we’ve got a few gems in our soap operas that’d go on for years. No matter what, a regular Telugu housewife will be in front of her TV, eagerly waiting for her favorite TV series to start every single day. And then there would be serious discussions with their neighbors on how a certain villainous mother-in-law in a soap opera planned a draconic scheme to hurt a certain someone in the series. If an outsider hears those discussions, they’d think it’s about a real person.
I know this is not necessarily something to boast about; I just wanted to show you how Telugu media affects our daily lives!
A Few Popular Telugu Movies And Series
Bahubali 1 & 2
These monumental movies, known for their epic storytelling and visuals, gave the Telugu industry its unprecedented financial success. They put Telugu cinema on the global map and showcased its potential to deliver world-class blockbusters.
C/o Kancharapalem
A special movie that beautifully captures the heart and soul of a small-town community, breaking stereotypes with its raw and relatable storytelling. It achieved critical and financial success that proved the power of authentic regional cinema.
Jersey
This movie resonates deeply with Telugu people with its emotional, relatable story of perseverance and second chances. It also highlights the beauty of father-son relationships.
Sita Ramam
A timeless love story set against a visually stunning backdrop, this movie blends romance, patriotism, and rich emotions. It demonstrated Telugu cinema’s ability to deliver heartwarming, culturally rooted stories that resonate with audiences worldwide.
Mayabazar
This one holds a legendary place in the hearts of Telugu people. A classic that combines mythological grandeur and unforgettable characters, it became a cultural treasure and set the foundation for innovation in Telugu cinema.
Mogali Rekulu
Mogali Rekulu captivated its audiences with its gripping storyline, emotional depth, and strong character arcs, becoming one of the most iconic Telugu soap operas. With 1368 episodes, it redefined long-running TV dramas.
Amrutham
Cherished by people for its clever humor, relatable middle-class struggles, and memorable characters, this groundbreaking sitcom brought lighthearted, witty entertainment to Telugu television and became a cult favorite.
Chakravakam
A gripping family drama filled with emotional twists, deep relationships, and moral dilemmas. It holds a special place in Telugu people’s hearts and became one of the most beloved and long-running soap operas, resonating with audiences across all generations.
YouTube Channels In Telugu
The next best thing that happened to Telugu people after the movies and soap operas. Apart from mainstream sources, YouTube channels rose to prominence with their witty content and frank opinions on many cultural and social topics.
Here are a few creators and outlets that are most famous.
- One India Telugu: A popular Telugu YouTube channel that brings worldwide news to its audience.
- Infinitum: A popular entertainment channel known for its engaging, heart-touching content.
- Prof. Nageshwar: A well-respected journalism teacher and professional journalist who talks about various subjects.
- My Village Show: A fun, rural-centric channel showcasing humorous takes on village life and traditions.
Impact And Importance Of Telugu Media
No matter which country or language, media impacts everyone. It shapes public opinion and can influence political and social discussions. As an industry born out of necessity, Telugu news agencies still carry out this job splendidly.
Regarding its entertainment wing, Telugu movies promote the language and culture globally with blockbusters, which is always a proud statement for its devoted fans who love their films and movie stars. Movies like RRR and Baahubali 1 & 2 made people worldwide curious about Telugu culture, history, and myths.
So, if you want to experience what the culture and people are like, Telugu media is where it’s at.
How Do You Say ‘Media’ In Telugu?
In Telugu, since ‘media’ is not a native term, it’s commonly referred to as midiya (మీడియా), which is a transliteration. But if we take the original word behind media, which is medium, the correct translation would be madhyamam (మాధ్యమం), which is used sporadically.
12 Useful Vocabulary Related To Telugu Media
Here are some vocabulary terms related to news, entertainment, media, politics, and more. Try incorporating them in your daily practice, they will help you communicate naturally.
| English | Telugu | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Newspaper | వార్త పత్రిక | Vartha Patrika |
| Editor | సంపాదకీయుడు | Sampadakiyudu |
| News | వార్తలు | Varthalu |
| Editing | సంపాదకీయం | Sampadakiyam |
| Headline | శీర్షిక | Seershika |
| Interview | ఇంటర్వ్యూ | Interview (No native term) |
| Reporter | విలేఖరి | Vilekari |
| Politics | రాజకీయాలు | Rajakeeyalu |
| Politician | రాజకీయనాయకుడు | Rajakiyanayakudu |
| Advertisement | ప్రకటన | PRakatana |
| Broadcast | ప్రసారం | Prasaram |
| Entertainment | వినోదం | Vinodam |
Frequently Asked Questions About Telugu Media
1. What’s The Most Famous News Channel In Telugu?
TV9 is the most-watched channel in Telugu in both states. It’s a news broadcast channel focused on political debate and breaking news.
2. Will Keeping Up With Telugu Media Help New Learners?
Of course. Watching various Telugu programs will help you grasp the words, emotions, pronunciation, and so on, which is very beneficial to language learners.
3. How Can I Access Telugu News Online?
Almost every major news outlet has its own YouTube channel. You only need to search for Telugu news online, and you’ll find plenty.
Wrapping Up
We hope this blog helped you understand Telugu media. If you’d like to read more, do check out our other Telugu blogs. We’ve covered a variety of topics and will add more very soon!
Also, to stay committed to your learning journey, be sure to read a bit of current affairs related to Telugu states every now and then, and you’ll be golden. Until next time!
