There was a time when ‘Kannada gothilla’ (I don’t know Kannada) was almost a default response from many who moved to Bengaluru. Today, there’s a growing tribe happy to say ‘Kannada kalitha idhini’ (I’m learning Kannada) or, better still, ‘Kannada baruthe’ (I know Kannada). 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 perksFrom outsider to Kannada championFew journeys capture this shift better than that of actor Pooja Gandhi. When she entered the Kannada film industry, she didn’t know the language. 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. 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. When a place gives you so much, learning its language and culture is a beautiful way of saying thank you,” she says. She believes those who live, work and build their lives here should make an effort to understand the language, without having to give up their own linguistic identities.Reels are doing their bitActor 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. Especially niche Kannada content creators, who have their own comic timing and style, are helping people connect with the language,” she says. She also believes Kannadigas are becoming more patient with those trying to learn. 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.The house help could be your Kannada tutor tooActor 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. It could be talking to an auto driver, watching a movie or being part of community meet-ups,” he says.Anup Maiya, who has been conducting spoken Kannada classes for 12 years, has seen the interest first-hand. His classes have clocked over 40,000 registrations. “People want to learn something new, especially since they have been working here for years. A lot of them have learnt a little, while some have learnt more. I know people who continued learning on their own after classes and then started reading and writing too,” he says.The reasons range from having a Kannadiga partner and professional requirements to simple curiosity. Doctors, media professionals and volunteers find the language useful at work. And then there’s the home front. “Talking to the maid is a very important pointer. Kids grow up here and start talking Kannada, so parents want to learn a little,” Anup says. Nothing like your child correcting your Kannada to get you started!Danish believes knowing the local language simply makes life easier, wherever you live. “If you’re working with the people who make the city run, then you have to know the language they speak,” he says, adding that while not everybody is a polyglot, even making an attempt to learn a few key phrases goes a long way.Don’t switch to English just yet!One of the biggest hurdles for learners is that Kannadigas often switch to English or Hindi the moment they detect an accent. While well-intentioned, this can rob learners of a chance to practise. Pooja says Kannadigas should not be blamed for their accommodating nature, but those who benefit from Bengaluru should also take responsibility for preserving its language and culture. Saanya agrees that patience is key. “If we teach them through love, respect and patience, I think we can get through any barrier and help them start speaking the language,” she saysLaugh your way into KannadaSo, how do we make learning less classroom, more conversation? Saanya and Danish vote for comedy. She points to stand-up acts where people from other states attempt Kannada, often with hilarious results. “People are learning the language and speaking whatever Kannada they know. And that itself is so beautiful. Through comedy, we are able to reach audiences who can relate to it and connect emotionally,” she says.Danish also sees comedy as a particularly effective way to become familiar with a city’s slang, humour and cultural references. “Language and mediums are a huge soft power. Watch movies, interact with people in society, be respectful of them, and I’m sure they would be happy to introduce you to it,” he says.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.
