The Main Languages of India

India is a country known for its linguistic diversity. It is home to more than 19,500 languages and dialects, making it one of the most linguistically diverse countries in the world. The main reason for this diversity is the historical and cultural influence of various ethnic groups that have inhabited the Indian subcontinent over the centuries and that had a profound impact on the main languages of India.

As of 2023, the Indian Constitution recognizes 22 languages as official languages, with Hindi and English being the official languages of the central government. While it would be impossible to explore the full range of India’s linguistic diversity in one single article, today we’ll take a closer look at the main languages of India that every traveler and language lover should know about.

Hindi
Bengali
Telugu
Marathi
Tamil
Gujarati
Urdu

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Hindi

Hindi it’s not just one of the main languages of India. It is the most spoken language in India, with over 41% of the population speaking it as their first language. It is also the official language of the central government and is widely used in commerce and education. Linguistically, the Hindi alphabet is a standardized form of the ancient Hindustani alphabet and is also closely related to Urdu.

How to say Hello in Hindi: Namaste!

Hindi in popular culture: The song “Chaiyya Chaiyya” from the movie Dil Se.. (1998) is one of the most popular Hindi songs worldwide. The video for the song features Shah Rukh Khan dancing on top of a moving train. The phrase “Chaiyya Chaiyya”, which is repeated throughout the chorus, means “Let’s go to bed”.

Bengali

Bengali is the second most spoken language in India, with over 8% of the population speaking it as their first language. It is the official language of the Indian state of West Bengal and is also widely spoken in the neighboring country of Bangladesh. Bengali is written in the Bengali script and is known for its rich literary tradition. A curious fact about Bengali is that it has one of the largest alphabets of any language in the world, with a total of 11 vowels and 35 consonants.

How to say Hello in Bengali: Namaskar!

Bengali in popular culture: The 1967 novel Anandamath by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee is considered to be one of the most important works in Bengali literature. The novel’s influence is evident in the popular Rabindra Sangeet song “Vande Mataram”.

Telugu

With over 7% of the population speaking it as their first language, Telugu is one of the main languages of India. It is the official language of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh and is also widely spoken in the neighboring state of Telangana. Telugu is written in the Brahmi script and is known for its vibrant culture and literature.

How to say Hello in Telugu: Namaskaram!

Telugu in popular culture: The movie Baahubali: The Beginning (2015) features Telugu as the primary language. The movie was a massive success and is considered a landmark in Indian cinema. It follows the story of Sivudu, a brave young man who helps rescue Devasena, the former queen of Mahishmati who has been imprisioned by a tyrannical king.

Marathi

With over 6% of the population speaking it as their first language, Marathi is one of the main languages of India. It is the official language of the Indian state of Maharashtra and is also spoken in the neighboring states of Gujarat and Goa. Marathi is written in the Devanagari script and is known for its rich literary tradition. As of 2023, four Marathi writers have received the Jnanpith Award, which is the most important literary prize in India.

How to say Hello in Marathi: Namaskar! (Hello!)

Marathi in popular culture: The song “Apsara Aali” from the movie Natrang (2010) is a popular Marathi song that celebrates the beauty of women. The catchy tune of the song and a spectacular music video contributed to the instant success of the movie.

Tamil

Tamil is the fifth most spoken language in India, with over 5% of the population speaking it as their first language. It is the official language of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and is also spoken in the neighboring countries of Sri Lanka, Singapore, and Malaysia. Tamil is written in the Brahmi script and has a rich history and culture characterized by its classical literature, music, and dance.

How to say Hello in Tamil: Vanakkam!

Tamil in popular culture: The movie Thalapathi (1991) is a classic Tamil film that follows the story of an orphaned boy who grows up to be a gangster and the friendship he develops with another gangster. The movie is known for its powerful performances, brilliant direction, and memorable dialogue. It also features the iconic Tamil song “Rakkama Kaiya Thattu”, which has become a classic in Tamil cinema.

Gujarati

Gujarati is one of the main languages of India, with over 4% of the population speaking it as their first language. It is the official language of the Indian state of Gujarat and is also spoken in the neighboring state of Maharashtra. Gujarati is written in the Gujarati script, which is derived from the Devanagari script. Gujarati is known for its vibrant culture, which includes traditional music and dance forms such as garba and dandiya.

How to say Hello in Gujarati: Kem cho!

Gujarati in popular culture: The song “Sanedo” from the movie Made in China (2019) is a popular Gujarati song that is played at weddings and other festive occasions. In Gujarati, “Sanedo” means “celebration”.

Urdu

Urdu is the seventh most spoken language in India, with over 2% of the population speaking it as their first language. It is closely related to Hindi and is written in the Perso-Arabic script. Urdu is the official language of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir and is also widely spoken in the northern states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Linguistically, Urdu is known for its rich vocabulary, which includes a variety of words borrowed from Persian and Arabic.

How to say Hello in Urdu: Assalam-o-Alaikum!

Urdu in popular culture: The movie Fanaa (2006) features Urdu as its primary language. The movie follows the story of Zooni and Rehan, two people who fall in love despite belonging to different worlds. The dialogues of the movie, which are written in Urdu and Hindi, have become iconic in Indian cinema.

In conclusion, the linguistic diversity of India is a reflection of its rich cultural heritage and complex history. Each of these seven languages has its unique characteristics and plays a vital role in shaping the cultural identity of the country. Understanding the diversity and richness of Indian languages can help us appreciate and celebrate the unique cultures and traditions of this vibrant nation.

If you’re planning to travel to India soon, why not learn the language of the region you’re visiting? Greeting someone in their native tongue is sure to make a good impression and open up new possibilities for conversation.