Telugu Alphabet Letters, Words, and Pictures

Telugu, a Dravidian language spoken by more than 80million people in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, uses a beautiful syllabic script. The script consists of 16 vowels (called achulu) and 36 consonants (called hallulu). Each character represents a sound, and when combined they form the rich vocabulary of the language.

Vowels Achulu ()

Vowels can appear on their own or as diacritical marks attached to consonants. Below are the standalone forms with a picture that shows each letter in a traditional calligraphic style.

Consonants Hallulu ()

Consonants are grouped according to the place of articulation. Each group begins with a base character; adding the appropriate vowel sign modifies the sound. The table below shows the basic forms of the 36 consonants.

How Letters Form Words

In Telugu, the vowel sound follows the consonant, but the orthography places the vowel sign around or below the consonant. Below are three everyday words that illustrate how letters join.

Practice Tips

• Write each letter slowly, paying attention to the curved strokes that give Telugu its distinctive flow.
• Pair a consonant with every vowel to see how the shape changes (e.g., , , , , etc.).
• Use flashcards with the image on one side and the transliteration on the other.
• Listen to native speakers; the script closely matches pronunciation, which helps memorisation.

Resources for Further Learning

Websites such as Omniglot and interactive apps like Learn Telugu Script provide animated strokes and quizzes. YouTube channels dedicated to Dravidian scripts also demonstrate proper penmanship.

Exploring the Telugu alphabet opens a window to a rich literary tradition that stretches from the poetic verses of Nannaya to contemporary cinema subtitles. With each letter you master, you gain a deeper connection to the culture and its vibrant expression.