Kannada Connect: Entrepreneur’s Accent Sparks Conversations About Identity in Bengaluru

Bengaluru, India – Amid ongoing conversations around how Bengaluru treats people from different regions, a city entrepreneur’s personal account has gained traction for its honest and heartwarming take on identity and language.

Srijan R Shetty, a tech entrepreneur raised in North India, recently took to X (formerly Twitter) to share how his skin tone and Hindi-tinged accent often make people assume he is North Indian. But what surprises them is when he switches seamlessly into Kannada, often leaving people delighted and intrigued.

“Every time I speak Kannada with someone new, I see genuine surprise and delight in their eyes,” Shetty wrote. “Conversations instantly become more animated, and people are curious to know how I picked up the language.”

Shetty added that he often explains his Mangalorean roots to those who ask. While locals sometimes point out that his diction isn’t perfect, they usually attribute it to regional differences and respond kindly.

Despite broader political discussions around language and local identity, Shetty emphasized that most Bengalureans are warm and inclusive. “There’s a belief that locals feel left behind in the city’s fast-paced development, but I’ve rarely come across anyone who insists I must speak Kannada,” he noted. “Even small attempts are welcomed.”

He also touched on the state’s linguistic complexity, acknowledging the different dialects of Kannada, especially where Konkani influence is strong. For outsiders, this can be difficult, but Shetty believes it’s the effort that counts. “People recognise effort. In my experience, if you try to speak the language, you’re often treated like one of their own.”

He ended his post with a humorous remark: “P.S. In my books, if you’ve stuck by RCB during their bad seasons, you’re Bangalorean enough.”

The post resonated with many who shared similar experiences, especially from the coastal Karnataka community. One user commented, “Totally relatable. I’m a Tulu-speaking Mangalorean, born in Dubai, lived in the US, and now settled in Bangalore. And yes, I’m a Shetty too.”

As Bengaluru continues to balance its cosmopolitan character with cultural pride, voices like Shetty’s highlight the bridges that language and empathy can build in a rapidly changing urban landscape.