Bridging Eras: Telugu Literatures Progress from Palm Leaves to Pixels

Telugu literature which has started to appear during the Ikshvaku period has emerged from a great oral tradition. Its literature has seen a golden period during the rule of the emperors of Vijayanagara dynasty. During the colonial period the language has been through various reforms. And after India attained its independence, the language and its literature have seen tremendous literary movements which influenced not just the spoken language but also the writing styles and techniques. The influence of the Communist movements both in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana can be clearly seen in the 20th century Telugu literature. And with the interference and influence of technology, the Telugu literature has started to appear on the digital platforms too from the end of the 20th century. This paper examines the evolution of Telugu literature from oral traditions to the digital age. It highlights key observations and offers recommendations for developing digital-born literature in Telugu.