who I am?

Going by my passport
they called me indian abroad
but in my own land
I dont know who I am

In south Africa I am coloured
In USA I am minus red
to the English I am a wog
I still dont know who I am

beyond the vidhyas I am a southie
or mere often a Madrasi
In Madras I am a malayalee
does anyone know who I am?


To the muslims I am a hindu
To the hindus I am a brahmin
or some other caste name
do tell me who I am


if I am to be known by language
or worse by relegion and caste
sometimes even by my race
who can say who I am?


I wish theyd call me Indian
and be done with it,
not bother with anything else
so that for good I know who I am


- by V.S.Kumar