A thousand years of poets, reformers, freedom fighters, scientists, singers and champions.
Poet — 'Adikavi' of Telugu
11th century
Court poet of the Eastern Chalukya king Rajaraja Narendra at Rajahmundry, Nannaya began the Telugu translation of the Mahabharata, the first major literary work in the language.
Saint-composer
1408–1503
Composed some 32,000 sankirtanas in praise of Venkateswara, of which about 14,000 survive on copper plates found at Tirumala — the earliest known composer of the Carnatic pada tradition.
Emperor of Vijayanagara
r. 1509–1529
The greatest Vijayanagara ruler, whose Telugu epic Amuktamalyada and court of eight poets (Ashtadiggajas) made his reign a golden age of Telugu letters; Lepakshi, Tadipatri and Penukonda flourished under him and his governors.
Poet-philosopher
c. 17th century
Author of thousands of simple, sharp aataveladi verses on morality, caste and hypocrisy that every Telugu child learns; his birthplace is claimed by Kadapa and Anantapur districts alike.
Playwright and reformer
1862–1915
Wrote Kanyasulkam (1892), the first Telugu play in everyday spoken language, attacking the sale of child brides; his song 'Desamante matti kaadoi, desamante manushuloi' is an anthem of the state.
Social reformer
1848–1919
Championed widow remarriage and women's education from Rajahmundry, founded the first Telugu novel and a string of schools — the father of the Telugu renaissance.
Freedom fighter
1897–1924
Led the Rampa Rebellion of 1922–24 with the Adivasi communities of the Eastern Ghats against British forest laws, raiding police stations before he was captured and shot; the hill district is named after him.
Designer of the national flag
1876–1963
The Machilipatnam agriculturist and geologist who designed the tricolour flag adopted by the Indian National Congress in 1921, the basis of the national flag.
Activist
1901–1952
Fasted to death in Madras in December 1952 demanding a separate Telugu state; the Andhra State was created within a year, and Nellore district now carries his name.
Andhra Kesari — first Chief Minister of Andhra State
1872–1957
Bared his chest to police guns in the 1928 Simon Commission protest, earning the title Andhra Kesari, and became the first Chief Minister of Andhra State in 1953; Prakasam district and the Prakasam Barrage bear his name.
Actor and Chief Minister
1923–1996
Telugu cinema's mythological superstar who founded the Telugu Desam Party in 1982 and became Chief Minister within nine months; NTR district is named for him.
Biochemist
1895–1948
Discovered the role of ATP in cellular energy, developed the first tetracycline antibiotic and the folate antagonist methotrexate — one of the most consequential scientists born in the state.
Poet
1910–1983
His Mahaprasthanam (1950) brought revolutionary free verse to Telugu poetry and made him the voice of a generation; also a prolific film lyricist.
Singer and composer
1922–1974
The defining voice of Telugu film music for three decades and the composer of hundreds of scores; his Bhagavad Gita recording is still played in temples across the state.
Carnatic musician
1930–2016
A child prodigy who became one of the most celebrated Carnatic vocalists of the 20th century, composer of new ragas and recipient of the Padma Vibhushan.
Playback singer
1946–2020
Recorded over 40,000 songs in 16 languages across a 50-year career — one of the most prolific singers in the world, honoured with the Padma Vibhushan.
Kuchipudi guru
1929–2012
Reshaped Kuchipudi into a classical solo and ensemble form, founded the Kuchipudi Art Academy in Madras and trained generations of dancers.
Badminton champion and coach
b. 1973
All England champion in 2001 and the coach behind India's Olympic medallists Saina Nehwal and P. V. Sindhu.
Weightlifter
b. 1975
Won bronze at the 2000 Sydney Olympics — the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal.
Philosopher and President of India
1888–1975
Telugu-speaking philosopher, Oxford professor and the second President of India (1962–67); his birthday, 5 September, is Teachers' Day. He taught at Andhra University in Waltair in the 1930s as its Vice-Chancellor.