Telugu (; తెలుగు ) is a Dravidian language spoken in the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and the union territories of Puducherry (Yanam) by the Telugu people. It stands alongside Hindi, English and Bengali as one of the few languages with primary official language status in more than one Indian state. There are also significant linguistic minorities in states of Orissa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Maharashtra. It is one of six languages designated a classical language of India by the country's government.