Telugu Maatlaata

Games

The following games are part of Telugu Maatlaata program.

Padarangam: In this game, players hear a pre-recorded word and have to write it in Telugu on a board. For full details about Padarangam, please visit Padarangam: Rules and Guidelines.
Please note: This game is not played by Budatalu (5-7 yrs.) age group participants.
Tirakaatam: This is a quiz game, with questions and answers in Telugu language on a variety of topics. For full details about Tirakaatam, please visit Tirakaatam: Rules and Guidelines.
ONiMa: In this game, players are expected to speak exclusively in Telugu on a given topic. For full details about ONiMa (ఒక్క నిమిషం మాత్రమే), please visit ONiMa: Rules and Guidelines.

Telugu Maatlaata 2026 will have two levels, namely, Prelims and Internationals:

Prelims Centers are determined based on commitment from the local teams to conduct in-person Telugu Maatlaata games, following all the rules and policies.
The full list of Telugu Maatlaata Prelims centers can be found on the Locations page.
The primary criteria is to ensure a minimum of 10 participants per age group.
Online Prelims will be conducted only for ONiMa in 2026. As such, "Online" will be considered a special Prelims Center for 2026. Please note the special Technology Guidelines for Online participants.
From each Telugu Maatlaata Center that follows the above guidelines, the number of Finalists per game, per age group will be based on the number of Participants in the Prelims. Specifically:
- 0 - 9 Participants: Number of Finalists = 0
- 10 - 29 Participants: Number of Finalists = 1
- 30 - 54 Participants: Number of Finalists = 2
- 55 and above Participants: Number of Finalists = 3
In case of a tie for Finalists from a Center, there will be a tie-breaker at this level of the game.
If the Winner at a Center is unable to attend the Internationals for any reason, then the opportunity goes to the Runner-up.
If the Runner-up also cannot attend, then the opportunity goes to the Second Runner-up.
If the Second Runner-up also cannot attend, then the Center will not be represented in that particular age group.

Finalists from each age group from various Centers will play against each other in the Internationals.
There will be 1 Winner and 1 Runner-up for each game per age group.
In case of a tie for a Winner or Runner-up, there will be a tie-breaker at this level of the game.

Prelims will be held during the months of November - March, 2026.
Internationals are planned for Saturday, August 15th & Sunday August 16th, 2026.
Venue for the Internationals is Hilton Charlotte Airport, 2800 Coliseum Centre Dr, Charlotte, North Carolina - 28217.

All players receive certificates of participation!
Regional winners get Certificates of Achievement!
The best reward will be the Entry to the International Finals, a phenomenal opportunity to play against the best across all participating regions, and possibility of creating history!
Win or not, every participant will find a huge improvement in vocabulary and reading/writing/speaking/comprehension skills in Telugu!
We strongly encourage all eligible participants to come forward and register for playing Telugu Maatlaata games! It is a fun way to learn Telugu!