A heartwarming video of a young Russian girl and her Indian friend singing a Kannada poem while cycling through a Bengaluru neighborhood has captured the hearts of internet users. The video, originally shared on Instagram by the Russian girl's mother, showcases the beautiful friendship between the two classmates and their shared love for the Kannada language.
The clip features the girls, dressed in colorful traditional Indian outfits, riding their bicycles and singing "Bannada Hakki" (Colorful Bird), a popular Kannada poem for children. The Instagram post also includes a touching montage of photographs from 2022, highlighting the duo's friendship over the past three years, since the Russian family moved to India. The mother captioned the video, "3 years in India. Girlfriends – classmates. 3 years of friendship".
The video quickly gained traction after being reposted on Reddit, where users praised the girls' bond and the effortless cultural immersion on display. One Reddit user wrote, "A Russian kid singing a Kannada poem based out of Bengaluru with her local friend. How good it is to watch! Even foreigners learnt Kannada, what's your excuse in spreading more love and compassion towards our language?".
The viral video has sparked a wider conversation about language learning and the importance of respecting regional cultures in India. Some users emphasized how environment and schooling influence how children pick up local languages. One user commented, "It's easier for kids to learn a language to speak as they are not worried about the correct way to pronounce a particular word/sentence". Another user pointed out, "Real problem is our schools. The government should make local language mandatory in schools so that 2nd generation immigrants will learn the language at least".
However, some comments reflected a more critical perspective. One user expressed, "Entitlement, arrogance, and a condescending attitude toward the language, culture, and people of the land they've settled in, despite benefiting from the leniency shown by Bengalureans, in whose city they are earning their bread and butter – This is their hidden excuse".
Despite the varied reactions, the overwhelming sentiment towards the video has been positive, with many celebrating the heartwarming friendship as a symbol of unity, innocence, and the effortless way children bridge cultural differences. The video serves as a reminder of the beauty of cultural exchange and the importance of embracing and preserving local languages. It also highlights the ability of children to adapt and learn new languages and cultures with ease.
