There was a time when ‘Kannada gothilla’ (I don’t know Kannada) was almost a default response from many who moved to Bengaluru. The transformation may not be citywide just yet, but the signs are encouraging. Whether it’s trying to bargain with an auto driver, cracking a joke with colleagues, understanding a Kannada film dialogue or simply chatting with the house help, people seem to be discovering that knowing the local language comes with its own perks
Today, there’s a growing tribe happy to say ‘Kannada kalitha idhini’ (I’m learning Kannada) or, better still, ‘Kannada baruthe’ (I know Kannada).
When a place gives you so much, learning its language and culture is a beautiful way of saying thank you,” she says. Especially niche Kannada content creators, who have their own comic timing and style, are helping people connect with the language,” she says. Quoting Upendra’s observation that ‘Namma Kannadigaru thumba vishala hrudayadavaru’ (Kannadigas have large hearts), she says the effort to learn is increasingly being reciprocated with encouragement. It could be talking to an auto driver, watching a movie or being part of community meet-ups,” he says.
Few journeys capture this shift better than that of actor Pooja Gandhi. When she entered the Kannada film industry, she didn’t know the language. For Pooja, learning Kannada is about gratitude and belonging. “My roots may be elsewhere, but Karnataka gave me the wings to dream big and build the life I imagined. Actor Saanya Iyer believes social media is giving Kannada a cool new makeover. From quirky content creators and film slang to funny reels, the language is finding fresh audiences. “Social media has played such a huge part in creating interest in learning Kannada. She also believes Kannadigas are becoming more patient with those trying to learn. Actor and comedian Danish Sait, who has picked up several languages through everyday interactions, believes the best lessons don’t necessarily happen in classrooms. “It’s through experiences and being out there and just talking to people. Pooja has also suggested weekly Kannada-speaking sessions in apartment complexes and voluntary classes in multinational companies. She believes the language should find space in gaming, cinema, music, comedy and social gatherings. After all, nobody is asking newcomers to deliver a Kannada speech or write a screenplay. Start with ordering a dose, chatting with your auto driver or understanding that punchline in a reel. And the next time someone asks ‘Kannada barutta?’, even a confident ‘Swalpa baruthe’ (I know a little) is a pretty good start.
Today, she has not just mastered it but embraced it with a passion that could give many a native speaker a run for their money.