Telangana Dictionary తెలంగాణ నిఘంటువు

A growing reference of Telangana Telugu - words of the field, kitchen, family, festival and village, with meanings and usage. 42 terms and counting.

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Agriculture

• cheruvu చెరువు Tank or irrigation reservoir. Telangana's historic Kakatiya-era tank network is built on cheruvulu.
• jonna జొన్న Sorghum (jowar) — a staple dryland grain of Telangana.
• nagali నాగలి Bullock-drawn plough used to till the field.
• pasupu పసుపు Turmeric — a major commercial crop, especially around Nizamabad.
• pollam పొలం Agricultural field or farm plot.
• rythu రైతు Farmer; cultivator. The central figure of Telangana's agrarian economy.
• sajja సజ్జ Pearl millet (bajra), a hardy rain-fed cereal.
• vari వరి Paddy; the rice crop grown under tank and canal irrigation.

Folk Arts

• dappu డప్పు A frame drum central to Telangana folk processions and dance.
• gussadi గుస్సాడి A Gond tribal dance of Adilabad performed during Dandari festival.
• oggu katha ఒగ్గు కథ A folk ballad-narration tradition recounting the legends of Mallanna and Beerappa.
• perini పేరిణి Perini Sivatandavam — an ancient Kakatiya-era warrior dance offered to Shiva.

Food & Cuisine

• ambali అంబలి Thin millet or sorghum porridge, drunk to beat the summer heat.
• gongura గోంగూర Sorrel leaves; a tangy green used in pachadi and pulusu.
• jonna rotte జొన్న రొట్టె Flatbread made from sorghum (jonna) flour — an everyday Telangana staple.
• kodi kura కోడి కూర Country-chicken curry, a festive favourite.
• pachadi పచ్చడి Chutney or relish, ground fresh from vegetables, leaves, or lentils.
• pulusu పులుసు Tangy tamarind-based stew of vegetables or greens.
• sakinalu సకినాలు Crisp spiral snack of rice flour and sesame, made especially for Sankranti.
• sarva pindi సర్వ పిండి Savoury rice-flour disc studded with chana dal, peanuts, and chilli — a Telangana speciality.

Household

• bavi బావి Open well, a traditional source of water in villages.
• illu ఇల్లు House; home.
• muggu ముగ్గు Rangoli; geometric floor pattern drawn with rice flour at the doorstep.
• vakili వాకిలి The front threshold or yard of a house, where the muggu is drawn.

Kinship & Family

• akka అక్క Elder sister.
• amma అమ్మ Mother; also a respectful term for an elder woman.
• anna అన్న Elder brother; also a respectful address for an older man.
• attha అత్త Paternal aunt or mother-in-law.
• bava బావ Brother-in-law or male cross-cousin; a friendly term among men.
• mamayya మామయ్య Maternal uncle or father-in-law.
• nayna నాయన Father (Telangana usage); affectionate term for a boy or man.

Nature & Seasons

• chenu చేను A standing crop field, especially of dry grains.
• vaana వాన Rain; the monsoon that sustains dryland farming.
• yenda ఎండ Sun; harsh summer heat (yendalu).

Ritual & Festival

• bonam బోనం An offering of cooked rice carried in a decorated pot to the goddess during Bonalu.
• jatara జాతర A folk fair or temple festival, often honouring a village or tribal deity.
• pandaga పండగ Festival; a day of celebration.
• teppa తెప్ప A float or raft; teppotsavam is a temple float festival on tank waters.

Village Life

• bazaru బజారు Market street; the commercial lane of a town or village.
• gudem గూడెం Hamlet, often a tribal (Adivasi) settlement in forest or hill areas.
• palle పల్లె Village; the rural settlement.
• sangham సంఘం Association or collective — e.g. a village self-help or farmers' group.