KUALA LUMPUR, 21 August 2026 — The Telugu Association of Malaysia (TAM) will mark its 70th anniversary with three major events at the Penang Waterfront Convention Centre (PWCC) on 29 and 30 August, bringing together community leaders, delegates, dignitaries and cultural representatives from Malaysia and across the Asia-Pacific region.

The two-day programme will celebrate Telugu language, culture and heritage while strengthening organisational ties and international cooperation among Telugu communities.

The celebrations will begin on 29 August with the 46th Biennial Delegates Conference 2026, scheduled from 9am to 2pm. Delegates and representatives from TAM’s 30 branches nationwide will gather to review the association’s progress and discuss its future direction, particularly in the areas of Telugu language, education, culture, arts and heritage.

The conference will be officiated by Datuk Dr. Loga Bala Mohan, President of PPP Malaysia and former Deputy Minister of Federal Territories, as Chief Guest of Honour.

The main event will take place that evening at 7.30pm with the 70th Platinum Anniversary Celebration of TAM. Established in 1956, TAM has spent seven decades promoting and preserving the Telugu language, culture, arts and heritage while contributing to Malaysia’s multicultural landscape.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Rural and Regional Development Dato’ Seri Diraja Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi will be the Chief Guest of Honour at the gala celebration.

Also attending as Special Guests of Honour will be Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and Andhra Pradesh Minister for MSME, SERP, NRI Empowerment & Relations, Kondapalli Srinivas.

The anniversary celebration will also recognise the contributions of TAM’s founding fathers, former presidents, leaders, volunteers and members whose efforts have helped build the organisation and strengthen the Telugu community in Malaysia.

The programme will culminate on 30 August with the inaugural Asia Pacific Telugu Federation (APTF) Conference 2026, beginning at 9am.

The conference will bring together Telugu organisations and representatives from countries including Australia, India, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Myanmar, Kuwait, Singapore, Thailand, Mauritius and Malaysia.

The inaugural conference will be officiated by India’s Minister of Civil Aviation, Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, as Chief Guest of Honour.

The formation of the APTF is intended to provide an international platform for Telugu organisations across the Asia-Pacific to collaborate in promoting the Telugu language and culture, encouraging youth participation and developing stronger cultural, educational, economic and people-to-people connections.

Organisers expect the conference to draw international delegates and representatives from across the Telugu diaspora, positioning Penang as an important regional meeting point for the community.

The three events will also coincide with the commemoration of Telugu Language Day, reinforcing TAM’s commitment to ensuring that the language, culture, arts and heritage remain vibrant for future generations.

TAM said the 70th anniversary is not only an occasion to honour those who built the organisation over seven decades, but also an opportunity to pass the responsibility of preserving Telugu identity to younger generations.

The events are being led by Dr. S. Vengkata Prathap, President of TAM and Protem President of APTF, with Sathiah Sudakaran, Organising Chairman and Deputy President of TAM.

Also involved are Sivasoorianarayanan, Honorary General Secretary of TAM and Protem Honorary Secretary General of APTF, and Datuk Dr. Achaiah Kumar Rao, Advisor and former President of TAM.

Under the theme of seven decades of Telugu pride and a new chapter ahead, TAM has extended a warm welcome to delegates, dignitaries, community leaders and guests attending the historic celebrations in Penang.

Swagatham — Welcome to Malaysia. Welcome to Penang.