The Kannada Konnection

The post comes at a time when The Kannada Sahitya Sammelana is happening and we are happily sitting at home enjoying a holiday which is actually given for us to visit it.Some of us will scoff at it,some will go and truly enjoy and the rest will not bother about it at all.Not that any of them is wrong as there might not be the interest or the facility to go.Still some might assert that not going will not mean that they aren't 'true Kannadigas at heart'.

This post might come as a surprise from someone who is a Kannadiga and still doesn't very well know how to write(Highlighted by the fact that I got a B grade in Kannada). I am ashamed to admit this unlike a few who think it is 'cool'.And yet I am not angry with the examiners as this can be considered a punishment, a shame.A few might criticize me for having such 'antiquated' thoughts (Not that I really care about it..).But this triggered in me a thought about the various issues circling our language which will surely become extinct if necessary steps are not taken.
So what deters the learning of Kannada??Why is that many people who are Kannadigas ( or having stayed in Karnataka all their lives) don't feel the necessity to learn the language.The major reason according to me is that we feel that when things are getting done without it,there is no use.Bangalore being a cosmopolitan city, any localite will respond if you question them in English,Hindi or Tamil(yes..a huge population in the city knows Tamil).
Next factor is the schools.Given the fact that we have a large number of CBSE and ICSE schools most of which do not even offer it as an optional language at any level.KVs which constitute a major chunk can't do it as in any state any local language is not offered.Some others like DPS might also have something of this sort as they are throughout India.But the rest which are local ones have NO valid reason other than disinterest.(Sorry if the institution you studied in comes under this category).In Tamil Nadu I have heard that it is compulsory for all the schools irrespective of the board to offer Tamil.In case some argues saying it can be learnt at home they must know how difficult it is to coach the child at home during holidays while he/she wants to enjoy.The rest of the academic year is jam packed!
There are so many more reasons that any expert will be able to offer you or you can figure it out yourselves.
What pains me the most is that the pride of being a Kannadiga is diminishing.We are all to blame.We simply have to appreciate the steps taken by other states to ensure that their language remains strong and healthy.We need to do a lot more and I am hopeful that the government will do something.
Thankfully all is not so bleak.There is still a ray of hope.There is a population however minute that is active in promoting the language.I remember in class 5 (that is when I came to Bangalore) we had 2 teachers who took up the responsibility to teach written Kannada to students voluntarily.There was no support from the Institution.Many of us happily jumped in including some non Kannadigas.They did succeed to conduct classes for about 2 months or so and after that they found it taxing.And we being kids were extremely naughty.I didn't manage to learn anything more than a few letters but still I laud their efforts.
Also in the college where I am presently studying, there is a very strong Kannada sangha.It is one of the best managed club on the campus with a good bunch of Kannada enthusiastic youth.Their annual fest "Jhenkara - 2010" completely floored me.

There are Kannada blogs,articles in Wikipedia and lots more!!This might give us high hopes.Also we need to remember that Bangalore is NOT Karnataka.The rest of the state still respects it and it has a strong foothold.
Dear Kannada..all is not well but that doesn't mean all is lost!Everything's gonna be alright!:)

"Sirigannadam gelge sirigannadam baalge" ( Let Kannada win and live) - B M Shree.(A late English professor).