Baahubali has a con language

Move over Elvish, Baahubali has its own homegrown “language”, complete with over 700 words and at least 40 grammar rules. Created by lyricist Madhan Karky, Kiliki is the language spoken by the baddie Kalakeya tribes, who are trying to attack Baahubali’s (Prabhas) kingdom. These languages are called “conlangs” or constructed languages. Kiliki now joins Dothraki from Game of Thrones and Elvish from Lord of the Rings, in the conlangs category.

And now, as it becomes the next big thing on social media, Madhan just can’t contain the excitement. “Rajamouli wanted a complete language that was rough and which would also incite fear on the battlefield. I told him about Cliq, a language I had created, when I was in Australia for my PhD and he really liked it. The key aspect of Kiliki is the two additional sounds ‘ik’ (as in click) used to denote plural nouns and a ‘ta’ sound for possessive nouns. I created the vocabulary and grammar along the way,” Madhan says.

If plans work out, there could also be an app for Kiliki, to help people learn it. “I may launch the app after the second part of the film is released,” he adds.
The youngster maintains has been inspired by a need to create the concept of a universal language. “I have had this idea for a long time, that we should create a universal language for the world. This language can take characteristics from all the world’s languages. This way, it would reduce ambiguity.”