Telugu Initiative at Emory University

Mission Statement

To introduce Telugu Studies at Emory University, responding to the growing significance of South India and Andhra Pradesh on the global stage.

 Why Telugu?

• The second-most populous of India's twenty-two national languages, Telugu is spoken by over seventy million people worldwide.
• Telugu enjoys a long and rich literary tradition. Recent research on Telugu literature, religious traditions, and history have dramatically expanded and shifted the study of Indian culture.
• Telugu literary and cultural traditions are world traditions that deserve a place in a general liberal arts education.

 Why Emory?

Emory University will provide an interdisciplinary, energetic, and creative context within which Telugu Studies can grow and flourish.

• Academic Eminence: Emory is rapidly becoming one of the premier institutions in the United States for the study of Indian languages, literatures and cultures. Emory’s current offerings in Hindi, Sanskrit, Indian literatures, Indian music and dance, history, politics, religion, and cultural studies will enable a strong synergy between Telugu studies and other fields.
• Broad Appeal: In addition to the relevance to students of religion, culture, and literature, Telugu Studies will enable students from a broad range of fields medicine, public health, law, and business, among others to gain the cultural understanding necessary to work in South India.
• Location in Atlanta: Atlanta is home to numerous temples, Indian businesses and restaurants, Carnatic music and Kuchipudi dance schools, and Indian community organizations. Telugu Studies at Emory will draw upon these rich resources to complement the academic study of Telugu traditions.

Why Give?

• Emory will contribute to funds raised by the community. With $200,000 of community support, Emory can hire a senior professor of Telugu Studies for 5 years to carry out a variety of scholarly projects and activities.

Goals for Telugu Studies at Emory

• Appointment of a Senior Professor
• Conferences both in Atlanta and in Andhra Pradesh that bring together U.S. and India-based scholars.
• Public lectures by invited scholars.
• Research fellowships to young scholars working on Telugu-related topics.

Tax deductible donations can be made directly to Emory University or to Telugu Association of Metro Atlanta (TAMA). For further information, please contact:

Dr. Joyce Flueckiger, Professor
Department of Religion
South Asian Studies Program
Callaway Center S211
Emory University
Atlanta, GA 30322
reljbf@emory.edu
404.727.4642