So where are you from?

I get this question a lot. Especially from new people. And by the time I am done explaining, the raised eyebrows rephrase the same as, “so actually where are you from”?

Here is what I try to summarise but eventually end up explaining everything in detail –

I am a Telugu, who has never been to Andhra. We do not have any ancestral home in the state. But my mother tongue is Telugu.

I was born in Chennai, because thats were my mother was born and brought up and her mother resided. I heart Chennai and all things Tamil.

I was raised in Gandhinagar, Gujarat since my father had a state government job. School, college, first job – all in the land of sweet Gujaratis.

I am residing in Bangalore since four years because I moved to this city post marriage.

I can speak very well three of the four South Indian languages but cannot read or write either of them.

My Urdu speckled Hindi is impeccable, confusing people even more. How can your diction be so perfect? You look a pucca South Indian.

So my dearies, according to you, how should I answer this question 🙂