Bangalore Kannada
Encyclopedia
Bangalore Kannada is a vernacular dialect of the Indian language, Kannada, spoken mainly by people residing in and around Karnataka, especially South-East Karnataka (Bangalore
, Mysore, Mandya
, etc.).
This dialect is primarily spoken by youth and in informal discourse between locals. This slang is quickly picked up by the outsiders who stay in Bangalore. The slang is also pure Kannada and is quite old, too, and not of a cosmopolitan nature. The use of slang may give outsiders an inaccurate impression.
Bangalore Kannada is spoken by the native people almost everywhere: at home, in educational institutions and other places. Bangalore and Mysore Kannada are the most commonly used in other mediums such as plays and movies.
One hears Authentic Kannada at localities/areas like Basavanagudi, Narasimharaja Colony, Chamarajpet, Malleshwaram, Rajajinagar
, Banashankari, Sadashivanagar, Vijaynagar, Jayanagar
, J P Nagar
, Gandhi Bazaar, Kalasipalya etc. At other newer areas, one may hear other languages along with Kannada.
Some words specific to Bangalore Kannada are:
Kannada words are quite often used by the Bangalore people. These words can be slang or catchy words, and can also be combined into Kanglish [Kannada+English]. In fact, there is a whole list of Kanglish words and phrases.
For instance, "Just Maja Maadi" used as an alternative for "chill out" (a phrase popularized by one of the city's radio stations). "Enjoy Maadi" and "Swalpa Adjust Maadi" are other such popular Kanglish phrases. The word Maadi literally means do/ make.
a popular star of urban blues has popularized Bangalore Kannada.
In his famous song from his blockbuster movie under his own direction which is named after himself, Upendra (Kannada film)
, he has popularised the word oLu - meaning rubbish. The song says MTV subbulakshmige bari OLu - meaning for a doyen of Carnatic Shastreeya Sangitha like Subbulakshmi, MTV is rubbish. He is known to popularize the side effects of urbanization
Jaggesh
has to his credit for inventing word Dagaar meaning a whore/prostitute for those who follow seductive and revealing outfits on city roads. One more innovation is Dow (from Dove rhymed with love) for referring a lover.
Sudeep
introduced a word Kichcha in a superhit blockbuster movie Huchcha
which means a person with lot of fire or Kichchu inside him. In fact Kicha is used to denote Lord Krishna
which becomes Kichcha due to his fiercesome nature in this heart touching movie.
Anant Nag
had introduced terms Roll Call in one of movies meaning one who makes fools of people from his talking skills.
Ambareesh
had introduced a term Guldu Khan - to mean a stupid/brainwashed person - related to a foolish Muslim invader in his films.
Ravichandran
and Kashinath
have also contributed a lot of pun related dialogues and terms in their movies.
There is a whole list of vulgar slangs. Many of them could be derogatory or offensive in nature, though they all have a funny connotation. Hence, caution is advised while using them in public.
Given below is a list of Bangalore Kannada slang words:
Aandu Paandu - The mundane or the common folks (perhaps loaned over from Marathi)
Bhadko - Rogue [popularized by the TV serial Paapa Pandu]
Bond - Professional; expert (from James Bond)
Chaddi Dost - Bum Chum (meaning a childhood friend; perhaps denoting the time of friendship)
Dove - A girlfriend (perhaps a distortion of the English word love)
Edda Diddi/ Erra Birri - Rash/ Hapazard (Perhaps derived from vehicular noise)
Gamad/ Gampar/ Gubaal/ Guggu/ Gujjad - Foolish person/Villager/ or Illiterate (Hindi Derivation Gawar = Illiterate)
Jack Haku - To screw somebody (from carjacking - Haku is to put)
Juttu - Weakling
Maama - [Literally means maternal uncle/ father-in-law (mother's brother)] often used as derogatory term for incompetent police
Maga, Maam, Machi, Raaja - Son or Dude
Bangalore
Bengaluru , formerly called Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and...
, Mysore, Mandya
Mandya
Mandya is a city in the state of Karnataka, India. It is the headquarters of Mandya district and is located 40 km from Mysore and 100 km from Bangalore.-Etymology:...
, etc.).
This dialect is primarily spoken by youth and in informal discourse between locals. This slang is quickly picked up by the outsiders who stay in Bangalore. The slang is also pure Kannada and is quite old, too, and not of a cosmopolitan nature. The use of slang may give outsiders an inaccurate impression.
Bangalore Kannada is spoken by the native people almost everywhere: at home, in educational institutions and other places. Bangalore and Mysore Kannada are the most commonly used in other mediums such as plays and movies.
One hears Authentic Kannada at localities/areas like Basavanagudi, Narasimharaja Colony, Chamarajpet, Malleshwaram, Rajajinagar
Rajajinagar
Rajajinagar is a residential locality in the west of Bengaluru land . It is bordered by Basaveshwaranagar, Malleshwaram, Mahalakshmipuram, Mahalakshmi Layout, Vijayanagar and Rajajinagar Industrial Suburb. Rajajinagar is divided into two stages, first and second. Rajajinagar 3rd Block was formerly...
, Banashankari, Sadashivanagar, Vijaynagar, Jayanagar
Jayanagar
Jayanagar is a residential and commercial neighbourhood of the city of Bangalore in Karnataka, India. It is sub-divided into ten blocks, most of which comprise residential areas. A prominent shopping complex is located in Jayanagar IV Block. Jayanagar IV Block also houses one of Bangalore's...
, J P Nagar
J P Nagar
Jaya Prakashnarayan Nagar J P Nagar was created during the period of Ramakrishna Hegde as Chief Minister of Karnataka. In the beginning, this locality was basically a residential area. The area was dotted with bungalows and independent houses...
, Gandhi Bazaar, Kalasipalya etc. At other newer areas, one may hear other languages along with Kannada.
Some words specific to Bangalore Kannada are:
- bombaat, sakkath - meaning awesome/cool
- bejaan - a lot
- kudumi - bookworm
Kannada words are quite often used by the Bangalore people. These words can be slang or catchy words, and can also be combined into Kanglish [Kannada+English]. In fact, there is a whole list of Kanglish words and phrases.
For instance, "Just Maja Maadi" used as an alternative for "chill out" (a phrase popularized by one of the city's radio stations). "Enjoy Maadi" and "Swalpa Adjust Maadi" are other such popular Kanglish phrases. The word Maadi literally means do/ make.
Contribution from Kannada cinema
UpendraUpendra
Upendra is a cine actor, director, script writer and singer. Born in a middle class family at Koteshwara near Kundapura, he belongs to Kannada speaking Kota Brahmin community. Upendra started his career off with famous director Kashinath as a writer and an assistant director...
a popular star of urban blues has popularized Bangalore Kannada.
In his famous song from his blockbuster movie under his own direction which is named after himself, Upendra (Kannada film)
Upendra (Kannada film)
Upendra is a 1999 blockbuster Kannada Psychological film written and directed by Real Star Upendra. It starred Upendra, Raveena Tandon, Prema and Damini in the lead roles. The film was a Psychological Drama which explored human emotions in a different and a unique way...
, he has popularised the word oLu - meaning rubbish. The song says MTV subbulakshmige bari OLu - meaning for a doyen of Carnatic Shastreeya Sangitha like Subbulakshmi, MTV is rubbish. He is known to popularize the side effects of urbanization
Jaggesh
Jaggesh
Jaggesh is an IndiaKannada film industry, known for the comedy roles he portrays in his movies. He has acted in movies such asSuper Nan Maga and Tharle Nan Maga. Jaggesh has a big fan following and is popularly referred to by his fans as Navarasa Nayaka. Jaggesh is a in the early 80's by playing...
has to his credit for inventing word Dagaar meaning a whore/prostitute for those who follow seductive and revealing outfits on city roads. One more innovation is Dow (from Dove rhymed with love) for referring a lover.
Sudeep
Sudeep
Sudeep is an Indian actor, director, producer and singer from Shimoga, Karnataka, known in the Kannada film industry and Bollywood. He is also founder owner of his production company Kiccha Creations.Hence he is also famously known as 'Kiccha' Sudeep....
introduced a word Kichcha in a superhit blockbuster movie Huchcha
Huchcha
Huchcha is a Kannada film directed by Om Prakash Rao, starring Sudeep and Rekha Vedavyas. The film, a remake of Tamil movie Sethu, brought lot of fame to Sudeep. He received his first Filmfare Award for Best Actor, for this film....
which means a person with lot of fire or Kichchu inside him. In fact Kicha is used to denote Lord Krishna
Krishna
Krishna is a central figure of Hinduism and is traditionally attributed the authorship of the Bhagavad Gita. He is the supreme Being and considered in some monotheistic traditions as an Avatar of Vishnu...
which becomes Kichcha due to his fiercesome nature in this heart touching movie.
Anant Nag
Anant Nag
Anant Nagarkatte popularly known as Anant Nag is an actor and politician from Karnataka, India. He is considered to be one of the all time greatest actors in the Kannada film industry with a vast number of commercially successful movies. As a result, he is popularly known as an actor with...
had introduced terms Roll Call in one of movies meaning one who makes fools of people from his talking skills.
Ambareesh
Ambareesh
Malavallii Huche Gowda Amarnath or M.H.Amarnath born 29 May 1952 at Maddur Taluk in Mandya District of Karnataka State is a Kannada film actor...
had introduced a term Guldu Khan - to mean a stupid/brainwashed person - related to a foolish Muslim invader in his films.
Ravichandran
Ravichandran
Ravichandran is an Indian name.*Ravichandran, a Tamil actor*Ravichandran Ashwin, an Indian cricketer*Venu Ravichandran, a Tamil film producer*V. Ravichandran, a Kannada film director and producer...
and Kashinath
Kashinath
Kashinath is an actor and a director in the Kannada Film Industry in India, generally known in the industry as a trend setter. He probably started the trend of acting, directing, music directing and the producing of films...
have also contributed a lot of pun related dialogues and terms in their movies.
There is a whole list of vulgar slangs. Many of them could be derogatory or offensive in nature, though they all have a funny connotation. Hence, caution is advised while using them in public.
Given below is a list of Bangalore Kannada slang words:
Aandu Paandu - The mundane or the common folks (perhaps loaned over from Marathi)
Bhadko - Rogue [popularized by the TV serial Paapa Pandu]
Bond - Professional; expert (from James Bond)
Chaddi Dost - Bum Chum (meaning a childhood friend; perhaps denoting the time of friendship)
Dove - A girlfriend (perhaps a distortion of the English word love)
Edda Diddi/ Erra Birri - Rash/ Hapazard (Perhaps derived from vehicular noise)
Gamad/ Gampar/ Gubaal/ Guggu/ Gujjad - Foolish person/Villager/ or Illiterate (Hindi Derivation Gawar = Illiterate)
Jack Haku - To screw somebody (from carjacking - Haku is to put)
Juttu - Weakling
Maama - [Literally means maternal uncle/ father-in-law (mother's brother)] often used as derogatory term for incompetent police
Maga, Maam, Machi, Raaja - Son or Dude