Essay On The Language And Literature Of The Telugus Originally Included In The Madras Journal Of Literature And Science

This book is the product of extensive study and research on the language and literature of the Telugus. The morals and happiness of a people must always be primarily affected by the state of literature among them; and when we find a nation possessed, like the Telugus, of an ancient and extensive literature, constantly perused, and therefore constantly acting upon their condition, the nature and extent of that literature becomes a question of interest. The Telugu language borrows largely from Sanscrit and, in colloquial use, from Hindustani yet it is an original tongue. The Telugus frequently advert to the idea that Sanscrit is the mother of their language, just as in older times we used to look upon Latin as the source of English. From the harmony of this language some have called it the Italian of India; doubtless in the poems, and in the pronunciation of retired villages, it is very melodious. Though the book is rare one, it may be recognized even by those who dissent from the author?s views.