Telugu Alphabets and Numbers (Relief work on the Wall)

 

Size: 15 x 8 feet 

Medium: Cement, Enamel Yellow, Black, and White

Year: 2024

Involved: Construction workers, Local signboard artist, Prayogillu volunteers, and Myself. 

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On the outside Wall of Prayogillu (a community center in the village of Vellulla, Telangana, India) dedicated to promoting Telugu culture, has created a beautiful relief mural of the Telugu alphabet and numbers. The mural features all 52 alphabets and traditional numbers in bold, one-inch-high letters. The objective of this mural, in line with Prayogillu's mission, is to bring visibility to the Telugu language when its use in public spaces has been diminishing. By displaying these letters prominently, Prayogillu encourages people to reconnect with their linguistic/cultural roots. This Telugu alphabet wall serves as a public art and visual reminder; this mural allows locals and visitors to remember and celebrate the unique script of Telugu, ensuring that the practice of language is remembered in a rush toward modernity. It symbolizes cultural pride and preservation, reminding everyone of the importance of language in keeping a community's identity alive.

 

At the base of the mural, there are Telugu numbers. These numbers, rarely seen in public spaces today, are significant in our cultural heritage. Many, especially the younger generations, are unaware of their existence or meaning. By making these numbers visible, Prayogillu's mural aims to reignite interest in the richness of the Telugu script and restore its relevance in everyday life. This effort revives a fading tradition of Telugu alphabets and, more importantly, fosters a sense of belonging within the Telugu community. 

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                                                                      Here is Prayogillu's website: https://www.prayogillu.org/