No matter how much, people (read people who have come here from other parts of the country) complain about Bangalore’s infrastructure, they always
make sure to end it with a consolation by saying “But, whatever it is, the weather here is simply great ! “
So, is it just the weather that’s making Bangalore attractive? or is it the IT which’s generating so much employment?
Sadly, most of us think its one of them (or both).
Bangalore’s a city that’s been home to people from all regions and religions. No where would you have come across
a place where your local kirana shop guy speaks in atleast 3 regional languages apart from kannada, the local language.
You receive the same warmth irrespective of where you come from or what language you speak. The city allows you to retain your
regional identity, and yet it gives you all the freedom to make it home ! I am not sure how many such cities exist in this world ?!?!?
Bangalore’s truly cosmopolitan !
(I remember hearing about Mumbai being one such place. I had visited Mumbai when I was just 5 years old, so
I cant really speak about it now).
But what makes me feel dis-appointed is the fact that, you just cannot take all the good things that the city’s offering and don’t bother to give it back ! Let me start with learning the local language. I know its really not necessary as most of the localites can converse in English if not your regional language. But, you must understand, Bangalore is as much yours as it is
to the local population. It wouldn’t hurt if you could speak a word or two in kannada to ur sabzi mandi guy instead of just continuously hurling out words in your local language. Who knows, the sabzi mandi guy might not be comfortable speaking your language. Why make him a stranger In his own land ??? He really doesn’t deserve this ! Same applies while using the local public transport. Try using the local language while asking for a ticket.
Let’s not forget like every place, Bangalore too has got its own heritage and that comes not just from old buildings or parks, but also from its local language.
So speaking the language of the land, helps in retaining a city’s heritage. As I write this post, a fact that I had read in a magazine, sometime ago, comes into my mind. The kannada language that most of us speak is becoming devoid of some of the classiest and beautiful words. These words are not those that require a dictionary. These are simple words that carry a lot of warmth, and they really make short chats (read “harate” –kannada) more meaningful. Sadly, this only shows that, we being born and brought up here (the localites), have also become indifferent to the language that once used to be spoken by our parents and grand-parents !
So, next time, you think of doing something for the city, learning a couple of words(sentences would be even better !) in kannada won’t be that bad a choice. It will not only help you in building a good relation with your local sabzi walla, but will also help in an attempt in preserving this beautiful language and hence the city !
Make this language as yours, just like the way you made this city as your home. I am sure, you won’t be disappointed !!!
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16 comments:
The fact of the matter is people from other areas have taken Bangalore for granted....
The first thing that I commented when I came to Bangalore was this. Take for example our class in PESIT. Most of the students were born and brought up in Bangalore. How many of them knew 10 words in Kannada and used them?? Speaking in kannada makes them feel they are inferior is it??
On the other hand, the same ppl start some gujarati community in Bangalore. They have passion for the region which they haven't seen also from their birth. Is it not their responsibility to learn local language??
It's high time kannadigas realize this. We are not fanatics like Tamilians but if the same carries on, we will have to change the way we treat others...
btw v nice post....
It's no surprise who that gujju is..
It's high time he realized and everyone else too :-)
Very well Written my friend...Infact staying in Pune. I have faced a lot of music. I totally agree with you in terms of preserving the culture...learning the language etc..But in reality (from personal experience)instead of local ppl helping the "outsiders" learn there culture and "preserve" it more of a revolt...and by burning buses and not allowing ppl from outside study is called "preserving culture"? what happened to humanity?
@vishwas I can understand your point . . . Even I get frustrated when I hear people who have been staying hear since ages, have still not learnt kannada ! Though we are not doing some kannada-seekho campaign, people who have come here to settle down should atleast make an attempt to speak a few words and not act as if he/she is still a stranger in this land inspite of staying for years ...
@aakash ha ha I do agree with what you said : on one hand you are saying "preserve culture" and on the other hand you yourself go destroy public property. I will never acknowledge that ! But, honestly it makes you sad, when a person comes to settle down in your place, and the next day he takes your job, uses your public transport etc and still doesnt speak the language you speak !
Well, the thing about learning a language is that it opens up a whole new world for you. Language: It's like a key to another world. But then most people are happy being locked up in a windowless room.
Nice post Kaustub..
Santosh
@Which Main? What Cross? Completely agree with you ! Your comment kind of summarises my point !!
@Santosh Thx dude !
Living 10k km away from home, every thing "old===50 yrs+" has been preserved in its pristine state in this country...we do owe a lot to the Brits...but they had their own ways..we MUST respect our languages in all its glory and not be alienized..its an empire which is to be protected and people of this land ar its rightful defenders
http://tulsidas.wordpress.com/2008/07/03/grow-up/
Linked to your post
To but it very very bluntly, I definitely am saddened by this accusation on Gujjus in Karnataka. Why are the Gujjus to blame? What wrong have they done? Wouldn't Kannadigas in Gujarat form a Kannada Community in Gujarat?
This is just a very insensitive accusation. The very fact that Bangalore is up on the GLOBAL MAP is due to its unique characteristic of allowing any person, irrespective of caste and creed, language and colour to settle down here and call themselves BANGALOREANS!
I would totally agree with Aakash on this. Developing a sort of anti-gujju behaviour is definitely not going to solve matters.
BANGALORE is as much mine as it is yours. And it is not my fault that this city lets me/others (even a huge percentage of Kannadigas dont know how to read and write Kannada. To my defence, I have learnt Kannada for 4 years of my life) live in Bangalore without knowing Kannada.
If the lashing should continue, would I be ever so kind in asking why some Bangaloreans have an anti-HINDI feeling in them. HINDI is after all our National Language.
Simply put, language should never be a barrier in whatever we do. The day it starts acting as one, it loses it sole purpose - COMMUNICATION!
@Rushabh,
The way I have written the comment might mislead you to think language is a barrier to everything.
I am not trying to tell by just learning kannada everything will be fine. All I am trying to say is don't enrage any body by disrespecting the language. (I am not saying you disrespected kannada . I am speaking in general) I have seen ppl who have guts to speak lightly about kannada in front of kannadigas. Remember Sasken incident?? Somebody forcing some female to sing some song which ridicules kannada.And that too in Bangalore. That's ridiculous.
I am more than happy to see that ppl having passion for their language and starting communities in bangalore. That's the beauty of Bangalore and kannadigas. We let everybody live in harmony.
I still feel learning kannada would help other people also. It makes their life simpler. At the same time, I don't condemn ppl who don't want to learn kannada as long as they don't disrespect kannada.
@Rushabh, apologies if it has hurt your sentiments...There was absolutely no intention of doing so to you or anyone ! I don't think my post was understood in a manner that I had expected it to be..But never mind, lets close this topic for good/bad, because I dont see any point in continuing on something that was not construed properly ...Cheers !
Nice maga!!
I have heard of non-Kannadigas staying here for a long time, who have learnt Kannada and who urge other non-Kannadigas to learn Kannada. We need more people like that.
Reading it after 3 years of posting, but point to be noted.O utsiders have no rights to hurt the sentiments of vernacular people. Well said Kaustubhan
Its very well written :) You've managed to voice out the opinions of all the Kannadigas living here :) Message passed across is done positively yet makes an impact :)
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