First Telangana Language Day (Telangana Bhasha Dinosthavam) was observed on 9 September 2015 by the state government of Telangana.
The day was celebrated to commemorate the birth anniversary of noted poet Kaloji Narayana Rao, who was called people’s poet.
The day was observed to popularise Telangana Language which has came from the influence of Deccani Urdu, Marathi and Kannada.
The state Government of Telangana also awarded its first ever Kaloji Award on renowned litterateur Dr Ammangi Venugopal for his contribution to the literary world of Telangana.
Who was Kaloji Narayana Rao?
- Kaloji Narayana Rao (9 September 1914 – 13 November 2002)
- He was more popularly known as Kaloji or Kalanna.
- He was an Indian poet, freedom fighter, Anti-fascist and political activist of Telangana.
- He was a prolific writer and poet in Telugu, Hindi, Marathi, and Urdu.
- He is also respected as a political activist who staunchly opposed the feudal attitude of Nizams.
- He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1992.
About Telangana
- Telangana is one of the 29 states in India.
- It was formed on 2 June 2014 with the city of Hyderabad as its capital.
- Telangana is bordered by the states of Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh to the north, Karnataka to the west, and Andhra Pradesh to the south, east and north east. It also shares a small border with Orissa.
- As the twelfth largest state in India, Telangana has an area of 114,840 square kilometres (44,340 sq mi), and a population of 35,286,757 (2011 census).
- Its major cities include Hyderabad, Warangal, Nizamabad, Karimnagar, Ramagundam and Khammam.
- Telangana acquired its identity as the Telugu-speaking region of the princely state of Hyderabad, ruled by the Nizam of Hyderabad, joining the Union of India in 1948.
- In 1956, the Hyderabad state was dissolved as part of the linguistic reorganisation of states, Telangana was merged with former Andhra State to form Andhra Pradesh.
- Following a popular movement for separation, it was awarded separate Statehood on 2 June 2014.
- Hyderabad will continue to serve as the joint capital city for Andhra Pradesh and Telangana for a period of not more than ten years.
