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| An aerial view of South Parade (Now MG Road) |
Bangalore the IT capital of India, the Silicon Valley and now a Metro city has opened its gates to almost all kinds of people. Very evidently the recent polls proved that there are only 47% of original inhabitants in Bangalore. The name of the city has also changed from Bangalore to Bengaluru. The Life style of the city has seen a gradual change with Pizza corners replacing MTRs, classy Eat Outs replacing Vidyarthi Bhavans, Sri Sagars and Flashy Pubs replacing our good old wine shops.
Change is inevitable from the days of BEML, HAL and BEML to Infosys, WIPRO; Bangalore has a new look on the world map. Gone are the days when a typical Sunday for any Bangalorean was a nice romantic walk on the pavements of Lal Bagh, Cubbon Park, Rava Idly/Masala Dosa and a cuppa coffee at the nearest yet old looking MTR (Malavalli Tiffin Rooms) and a Movie either at Urvashi or Abhinay. Today's Bangalore is deluged in Traffic, Stress and Pressure. Saturday night without a Beer/Coke on the Rocks is desolate and Sunday without a visit to the nearest malls is shocking.
The Gandhi Bazaars are now Air Conditioned Super Markets, Majestic is now replaced by Ultra Modern and diversified Brigade Road. Seems like the good old coffee joints have passed on their torches to Cafe Coffee Days and Baristas. With the globalisation and more retail market. Bangalore will definitely see more forceful changes.
Have all these changed our language? Kannada the Local language of Bangalore is supposed to be one the most meaningful and ancient languages, it also has an unique script as compared to its other counterparts. But, what percentage of people really use kannada in Bangalore now? The figures are staggering, only 37% of people speak Kannada in the State's capital.
While talking to others, people confirm before they speak the language. You want to ask an address in Bangalore or reply to a question, then English is the most preferred language other than Hindi. It's a famous fact that two Kannadigas in an IT company always talk in a neutral language. Even the vendors and shopkeepers are channeled with this new wave, the moment you step into any of the shops in Bangalore, the entire conversation takes place in non-kannada languages. People have lost confidence about speaking in local language and moreover speaking kannada on the streets of MG road, Commercial Street and Cunningham road is considered sub standard.
Shopping malls in the city have been completely banned from using kannada, not a forced one but definitely an adapted one. One has to confirm that the other person knows language before he starts using any language. 'Swalpa Menu card kodthira'? has been replaced by 'May I have the Menu card, Please'?
Just to hit some facts, Marathi is still the largest and common speaking language in Mumbai even though Mumbai has the highest number of inhabitants. Telugu is a practiced ritual in yet another IT hub Hyderabad. When it comes to Tamil Nadu, beware you can be alive either if you are an ardent fan of Rajinikanth or you know Tamil. Malayalam runs in the blood of every Mallu, be it Kuwait, Dubai or any Hospital.
I am neither a Kannada activist nor do I have any kannada supporting organisation.. I am just a plebian who loves the language.
Globalisation is the trend and modernisation is the mantra but at the cost of the language? Sounds no logic........... Is speaking in Kannada down market? The answer has to be found within oneself.
