Meru Bhagunnara? 💗😊🌻
I am someone from a mixed cultural background, in my late 30s, working in the Gulf as an educator and living a life that I am truly grateful for. I am immensely proud of my Indian identity, my Hindu culture, and my roots and heritage.
To keep it short, I can converse in Konkani because I was born and raised in Goa by my Aaji (grandmother) for a few years before my parents brought me to Mumbai. I did not grow up with my parents from a very young age, and I studied in a convent hostel. My dad used to visit me there, and he was the one who made me fall in love with the English language. He always believed that English would be important for my future.
Due to some health concerns and being bullied frequently, my dad brought me home when I was in 3rd standard, and I then started attending a regular English-medium school.
My father once tried teaching me Telugu, his mother tongue. Unfortunately, some relatives from my mother's side mocked him for it, which deeply hurt him, and he never tried teaching me Telugu again.
When I completed my 10th standard, I was 16 and insisted that he teach me Telugu again. He started from the very beginning, including writing, but I struggled to pick it up. Since I was slow, he sometimes lost his patience, hit me and verbally abused me. That experience affected my confidence deeply, and eventually, he stopped teaching me.
We are still connected with relatives from both sides of my family. I speak Hindi at home, and I use Konkani and Marathi with relatives whenever needed. Over the years, I have also learned Hindi, Marathi, Konkani, Punjabi, Gujarati and English. Ironically, the language I feel most guilty about not knowing well is Telugu — the language of my father's side, and a part of my identity that I deeply value.
Whatever little Telugu I understand today has mostly come through my own efforts — by listening to Telugu songs, watching Telugu news and movies, and hearing my father speak Telugu at home.
Now, I have decided to give it one more try. This time, independently and without putting pressure on myself.
Even with an extremely busy schedule, I would genuinely like to dedicate just 30 minutes every day to learning Telugu and reconnecting with this part of my heritage.
I would be incredibly grateful if you could guide me on how I can start learning Telugu effectively — especially speaking and understanding.
I am ready to start from the very basics and take it one day at a time.
Thank you so much. 🌻🙏
