Why - Kannada Connect

The other day, while traveling in Bengaluru, I noticed something that sparked an idea. The auto driver took a longer route, expecting me to be unfamiliar with both the route and the Kannada language, as I was speaking in English. When I questioned him about the fare, he assumed I was unaware of local norms. I had to tell him, “I know the route and the language—you shouldn’t take advantage of people like this.”

This wasn’t the first time I’d seen this happen. Even the vegetable vendor tends to increase prices if he senses a customer doesn’t understand Kannada. It made me realize the importance of learning the local language—being able to communicate can make a real difference in everyday interactions.

That’s how the idea for "Kannada Connect" came to me. I wanted to help people learn conversational Kannada in a way that fits their busy lives.

I’m Manjunath, originally from Sakleshpur in South Karnataka. After living in Hyderabad for 46 years, I’m fluent in Kannada, Hyderabadi Hindi, and Telugu. I’m now a retired engineer, settled in Bengaluru, ready to help others bridge the language gap and feel more connected to the community.