A 19-year-old from Bihar won praise online after expressing his desire to learn Kannada deeply and respectfully, ahead of shifting to Bengaluru for college.
In a now-viral post on Reddit, the teen shared his emotional connection with Indian languages and his intent to treat Kannada as more than just a regional necessity.
Fluent in Hindi and English, and familiar with Bhojpuri and Sanskrit, he said he feels all Indian languages belong to him equally.
“I’m a 19-year-old male from Bihar, and there’s a good chance I’ll be moving to Bengaluru for college this August. I’m pretty comfortable with Hindi and English, can speak and understand Bhojpuri (though not as fluently as my parents lol), and I get Sanskrit decently well too,” the user said.
“I’ve always felt like every Indian language belongs to me just as much as Hindi does,” he wrote, adding that he wants to connect with Kannada “in a real, meaningful way” during his stay in Karnataka.
What made his post stand out was the clarity of his intention. He didn’t want shortcuts or basic survival phrases. Instead, he said he hoped to absorb Kannada “slowly and respectfully, like it’s my own.”
“So, I wanted to ask you people: how do I start learning Kannada in a deep and pure way, not like crash courses or just tourist-style phrases, but actually absorbing the language slowly and respectfully, like it’s my own?” the user said.
He also expressed interest in studying classical Kannada literature, with a special fascination for works linked to the Madhvacharya tradition and devotional compositions by Purandara Dasa.
“Also, I’m super interested in reading religious/philosophical works from Madhvacharya’s tradition, works of Purandara Dasa, and classic Kannada novels. I don’t know a single word of Kannada yet, so I’d love suggestions on where and how to begin, books, YouTube, apps, anything that worked for you,” he said as he concluded his post.
Take a look at the viral post here:
Reddit users flooded the comments section of the post with advice, motivation, and helpful resources.
One of the users reassured him, saying he would pick it up naturally through everyday interaction, while another encouraged him to stay curious and respectful, calling it the best way to learn any language.
“Learn a few everyday words and phrases as time goes by. By the time you’re out of college, you’ll have some knowledge without dedicated learning. After that, if your job keeps you here, then think about learning properly. Many companies provide classes in-house as well (that’s how I learned to speak). My mother tongue is not Hindi,” a user said.
Another user added, “As you are coming to study, don’t fret about it. You’ll definitely pick up Kannada by interacting with your classmates. It will be easier as a student compared to being an employee. You’ll make friends and learn.”
Several users shared links to Kannada YouTube channels and suggested starting with simple phrases. Others mentioned that many organisations in Bengaluru offer language assistance to newcomers.
See the comments here:
What resonated most was his humility. At a time when language debates often lead to polarised arguments, his post served as a gentle reminder of what respectful curiosity looks like.
Tune In