…is a common question; in fact one of the very common questions when two Indians meet out of context in a foreign nation. And as far as I have seen, this question features almost exclusively in males-only discussions. I can’t remember asking a girl where she is from, when I already know she is Indian (she is from India, see?), and vice-versa. However, at office parties, casual after-work get-togethers, etc. the childlike curiosity in me peaks and I most certainly will ask where the other person is from be it a guy or a girl. just to know, you know…
(yes, I still haven’t figured out what this post is about, in case you noticed)
So usually, when a couple of dudes meet for the first time in a social setting, depending on the level of ammaanji-ness, (roughly translates to cultural geekiness/nerdiness), the usual trite questions are exchanged.. like ‘which school’, ‘which college’, etc.. and then “where are you from?” or a more crude version “what is your native place?”.
Personally, I have always had trouble answering this question. Why? Well, my dad is from Kumbakonam, my mom is from Trichy, and I was born and raised entirely in Madras. In all fairness, (in my mind), I cannot say I am from Kumbakonam. All I know about that place is the temples I have visited and the few awesome hotels that I have eaten at. Lets assume, I do say I am from Kumbakonam, what about my maternal lineage? I am here because of both of them right? So, I usually say I am from Madras…correction.. I ALWAYS say I am from Madras…cos I am. It makes more sense to me. I have grown up there and seen the city grow and change with me… Most of what I am and what I do is in some way a reflection of the city’s character itself. Although to most northies, I apparently don’t LOOK like one. w-h-a-t-e-v-e-r.
However sometimes, when I am in a really great mood, when an Indian asks me (first meeting, of course) where I am from, just to get a kick out of it, I say “India”….and so far, it’s been a pretty good ice-breaker. 
Filed under: for laughs, Madras, musings Tagged: | being me, nativity, people, social blah
me too mee too..i also wont know which place to say..
my mom is from trichy.. my dad is from thirunelveli and i am from chennai..i say the place based on whom i am talking to..will try to sa y a place closer to the opposite person. he he!!
priya – hehe… me no altering, always Madras dhan..
Adiyaen Seermigu Seerkaazhi… nu sollikalaam since my grand parents + parents lived there, elder bro early education was there and I have visited there as a toddler
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Though I am “from” Madras, I can instantly connect with Seerkaazhi. So, I usually go ” I am from Madras, but native naa adhu Seerkaazhi”. I guess I take pride in the fact I am from within the “Thanjavur” area, though Seerkaazhi is a few kms from Kollidam river which typically marks the boundary of “Thanjavur district”.
Why did I leave this comment, explaining so much… no idea, just trying to postpone getting to work.
RC – good job! so how much delay did you gain?
Mams.. i totally stopped answering this question in a straight manner.. as I myself cant identify where I am from…Born Thirvarur, mom side Kumbakonam, dad Pudukottai, grew up proper Madras.. too many variables to confuse one simple question..so my answer is “all over the place, but basically grew up in Madras”…
sriram – machi, i sometimes even say to the guys here – Cincinnati..
..and then I go.. oh you mean in India? 
My dad’s a retired cop. Being the rare honest kind, he was transferred no less than 2 times every 3 years (sometimes multiple times in one year) leaving me with 14 yrs of education (counting from LKG) from 12 schools in 8 cities! (not to mention 18 different addresses)
Everywhere I’ve studied in Tamil Nadu, when I first join a class, someone would try and speak to me in Hindi because they used to think I was a “Settu veetu paiyan.”
I’d say that I don’t know Hindi.
So, then people ask me where my “native” is – it goes this way:
“I don’t really have a native place”
“oh – where is ur dad from?”
“He was born in a small town near Bangalore”
“Oh – so, you’re a Kannadiga”
“No – We are Tam-Brahms. I haven’t even been to Karnataka, ever! and we speak Tamil at home. Matter of fact, none of my dad’s family even lives there anymore”
“Oh – I see, where is your mother from?”
“She was raised in the Tirunelveli dist but her family doesn’t live there anymore either”
At this point, the person either loses interest or starts a “20-questions” session.
I did this routine religiously when I was younger, but now I have no interest in spending 20 mins explaining the details of my origin. In the States, when desi people ask me where I am from, I just say Chennai – despite having lived there for only 1 year of my life!
Just stumbled across your blog and intriguing posts. Well done.
well..the same prob s wid me 2..i usually say tat im 4m kochi since hv born der nd mom’s native 2..nd dad 4m chennai..nd i hv grown up & brought up at chennai..:) hehe..:) so stil im n confusion tat shud i say kochi r chennai as ma native.:)
Me too.. I hv the same problem. I was born in a village in padmanabapuram. My fathr was in trichy. Ma mother was in Shenkottai. My fathr;s fahtr was in trichy. Ma fore fathers were in Karungulam.. Sumbody say me Wich is ma native place!!!!