Mumbai: A mélange of languages, cultures and identities

By Vedangee Kadam, FYBA

 Bombay, in the words of historian and linguist Joseph Gerson da Cunha, was described as a “real Babel of tongues” back in 1912 and even today, more than a century later, Mumbai stays true to da Cunha's words (Da Cunha, 1900). Polyglossia and linguistic diversity are intrinsic to the cultural nerve of a cosmopolitan city like Mumbai wherein almost all Indian languages and many foreign languages reside on the tongues of Mumbaikars. This linguistic intermixture and assimilation has led to the birth of heterogeneous identities, mixed cultures and a unique version of Hindi, fondly known as 'Bambaiyya Hindi'. Drawing influences from Hindi, Marathi, English, Gujarati and Urdu, this interesting blend of languages has achieved almost a dialect-like status in the city and is spoken by members of all social classes, right from the underworld to the upper echelons of society. Multilingualism is the way of life in Mumbai and this proves the fact that language is not a barrier to society but acts as a glue if handled sensitively.

After all, over 24 million people call this city their ‘home’ and despite each person’s different background, language, and history, the common thread that binds them all is this magical ‘Mayanagari’ – the City of Dreams. This is what makes Mumbai truly cosmopolitan: it embraces, encourages, and elevates everything it touches—from languages to cultures to identities. In Mumbai, diversity isn't just an idea, it’s a way of life. It’s a haven, an oasis of coexistence and cultural harmony in a world fractured by ethnocentric chauvinism. 

One of the most fascinating aspects of this vibrant city is the sheer number of languages spoken across its geographic canvas. At the heart of this linguistic kaleidoscope is Marathi, the official language of Maharashtra. It doesn’t just live in the homes of native speakers but pulses through the veins of all who adopt, absorb, and engage with the rich Marathi culture. A testament to this is found during Ganesh Chaturthi when throngs of people from every corner of life unite to revel in the worship and celebration of their beloved Ganpati Bappa. In these moments of collective devotion, language ceases to be a barrier as regardless of their fluency in Marathi, everyone joins in the bhajans and aartis, in praise of the Lord. It’s a true reflection of Mumbai’s spirit, where people from all walks of life, regardless of background or tongue, come together in harmony. Here, language is not a boundary but a bridge, binding the city’s diverse population in moments of shared joy and tradition. However, even though Marathi is the most spoken language in Mumbai, it is only spoken by 45% of the city’s population (Census of India, 2011). 

On the other hand, Hindi, the most commonly spoken language in India, is equally popular in Mumbai. Considering the city's ever-growing immigrant population, this is hardly surprising. As the financial capital of the country, Mumbai acts as a magnet, drawing people from every corner of India who are in pursuit of better jobs and educational prospects. Additionally, social processes such as industrialisation and urbanisation play their parts as well as the emergence of factories in the 18th century was what attracted migrants to Mumbai in the first place. But these are not the only reasons why Hindi thrives here. Mumbai is the birthplace and beating heart of Bollywood, the world’s largest film industry which pulls in aspiring actors, filmmakers, and dreamers. As the Hindi-speaking population in Mumbai soars, so does the language’s influence and cultural dominance, seeping into every corner of the city. 

Now, let's turn to English, the global lingua franca, which has also firmly established itself in Mumbai. Though its history in the city is steeped in the legacy of British colonialism, today, English occupies a crucial role as the city’s official language of commerce, governance, and communication. From government offices to high-society gatherings and college campuses, English is omnipresent, bridging gaps between people of diverse linguistic backgrounds. In many ways, English has become synonymous with status and intellect, a perception that dates back to colonial times when the educated elite championed the language. Now, it remains a symbol of opportunity and progress, opening doors in business, education, and global interaction. 

Urdu finds its voice in the heart of Mumbai’s Muslim-dominated neighbourhoods, echoing through the streets in areas like Mohammad Ali Road or Dongri as well as in Urdu-medium schools spread across the city. Meanwhile, if you’re savouring a plate of dosas in an Udupi hotel or sipping filter coffee at a Madras Café in Matunga or Sion, you’re likely to overhear Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada flowing through the air, courtesy of the South Indian diaspora that has made these neighbourhoods a home away from home. The Christian community and the Bene Israel Jews, predominantly speak English, though you'll often find them switching seamlessly between English, Marathi, and even Konkani in some pockets. 

The Parsi community, which took refuge in India centuries ago and firmly established itself in Mumbai, brings with it a unique linguistic flavour. Their language, a delightful blend of Gujarati and English, is as charming as the community itself—preserving tradition while embracing modernity. As the Gujarati population in Mumbai has surged, neighbourhoods like Borivali and Ghatkopar have become strongholds for the Gujarati language, where conversations and street signs alike reflect this growing influence. You can’t miss the vibrancy of Gujarati’s presence, especially during festivals like Navratri or Uttarayan, when the entire neighbourhood seems to pulse with the beat of garba and kite-flying. Moreover, classical languages like Sanskrit in addition to foreign languages such as French, Spanish, German, Japanese, etc. are also taught in schools throughout the city. 

Often, when discussing cosmopolitan cities, a recurring question arises: Is multilingualism a barrier to social cohesion and unity? Does it foster ethnocentric identities, leading to division and competition, ultimately compromising the holistic development of the city? Well, I can’t speak for other cities, but when it comes to Mumbai, I don’t think I even need to answer this question. Just ask any Mumbaikar, and they’ll tell you—multilingualism is not a barrier here. It’s the heartbeat of the city. This is the beauty of Mumbai’s version of polyglossia—it is a place where languages don’t just coexist but thrive, intertwine, and evolve; all the while birthing new, hybrid identities and cultures. 

But perhaps the best example of Mumbai’s linguistic grandeur is the evolution of ‘Bambaiya Hindi’. It refers to a dialect of Hindi (and that’s what it is – a dialect) that is heavily influenced by other languages such as Marathi, Gujarati, English, and Urdu as well. Linguistically speaking, it is classified as a pidgin language which refers to a grammatically simplified means of communication with limited vocabulary and grammar that develops between groups that do not have a language in common (Holmes, 2013). It is also described as a ‘mongrel language’ by historian Gyan Prakash (Prakash (2010).

Interestingly, much of the credit for the rise and popularity of Bambaiya Hindi goes to Bollywood, which catapulted this vibrant dialect into mainstream culture. In the early 2000s, films like Vaastav and the Munnabhai series, wherein the characters were a part of Mumbai’s criminal underworld, brought Bambaiya Hindi to the forefront. More recently, the 2019 film Gully Boy, which chronicles the rise of street rappers from Mumbai’s slums, showcased the dialect as the voice of the underdog—making it clear that Bambaiya Hindi is not just a dialect, but a language of survival and expression in the city. However, Bambaiya Hindi is not only confined to a particular class or community. It has become the city’s vernacular, transcending the barriers of social divisions. From bus drivers to Bollywood stars, common man to corporate executives, Bambaiya Hindi is the go-to lingo for all, with expressions like "Apun" (I), "Pakka" (definitely), and "Jhakas" (awesome) now etched into the collective vocabulary of the city. 

Some of the most notable neologisms that have emerged from Bambaiya Hindi have spread beyond Mumbai, becoming part of everyday Indian vernacular. Take the word "bindaas," for example, which originates from the Marathi word "bindhast," meaning carefree or fearless. The word has gained nationwide popularity and was even recognized by the Oxford English Dictionary in 2005, a testament to its widespread use and cultural significance (Oxford University Press, 2005). 

It is natural for Mumbaikars to view their city with rose-coloured glasses; after all, it’s their lifeline! However, it does not overlook the inevitable concerns that arise from multilingualism. One cannot help but wonder if the authenticity of unpopular, regional Indian languages would be compromised due to this linguistic diversity. Would these Indian languages be silenced by the more overbearing ones, much like how Mumbai’s chawls were usurped by skyscrapers? Well, only time can tell the answer to these questions but we must keep in mind that the future of our city is in our hands. We must strive to preserve our mother tongues, our regional languages and their authenticity. We can propagate the language, document it, teach it to the younger generations and ensure that there never comes a day when our beloved languages are forgotten.

In conclusion, Mumbai is a city that preserves its roots while also embracing new cultures. To a foreign ear, it might seem like a cacophony of languages at first, but if one listens closely, it’s actually a symphony of melodies. This mélange of languages, cultures, and identities is what makes Mumbai, Mumbai and this is where the city’s magic lies.

References

Da Cunha, J. G. (1900). The Origin of Bombay. Bombay: Education Society’s Press.

Holmes, J. (2013). An introduction to sociolinguistics (4th ed.). Routledge.

Prakash, G. (2010). Mumbai fables. Princeton University Press.

Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. (2011). Census of India 2011: Provisional population totals. Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. Retrieved from https://censusindia.gov.in/

Oxford University Press. (2005). Bindaas. In Oxford English Dictionary. https://www.oed.com