AB2CD – A British Born Confused Desi

I ask myself sometimes
Am I British or Am I
AB2CD
A British Born Confused Desi

I like football and not cricket
Traitor shouts some conservative Asians
I wear swimsuit or bikini on the beach
Or for a swim
Shameless, no izzat, gossip some aunties
Mother has failed
Father has spoiled
I am A British Born Confused Desi

I love fish and chips
Traditional British grub
But I love spicy, hottie foods
Chicken tikka masala, curry, rice and chapatti
Umm! Fab desi food
I love quick takeaways and microwave meals
Lazy, stupid git, can’t cook complain Asian men
I am a British Born Confused Desi

I watch Hollywood Bollywood
Listen to Soul, pop, rock, hip-hop, R&B, garage and Reggae
And dance the garba, dandiya raas and bhangra
Loud music, no shame, complain the community
What’s the confusion my friends ask?
Be a fan of one type they preach
But, music is universal language, enjoy,
Life is too short, yaar
Huh! Yaar? What’s that ask my English friends
Means ‘friend’, ‘mate’ come on we have a new language
‘DesiEnglish’

I speak, read, and write in English
But speak my mother tongue just as aptly
I go to the temple to pray
Singing the hymns and prayers in my mother tongue
Although I talk to God in English
Am I British Born Confused Desi?

Ah! Family names – what to say
Call bahen not Sister,
Call bhai not Brother
Call jija not brother-in-law
Call bhabhi not sister-in-law
My dad’s side of family are
Dada-Dadi, Bapuji-Bhabhu,
Kaka-Kaki, Faiba-Fuva
My Mum’s side of the family are
Nana-Nani, Mama- Mami,
Masa-Masi,
No calling uncles and aunties
At least I know which side I am talking to

Things I love British
Freedom, education, opportunity,
Money, Country, Cars, Chips, pubs,
Clubs, music, movies

Things I love Desi
Spices, music, bindis, mehandi,
Cholis, saris – Umm sexy!
Nose studs and jewellery
Music, movies,

So am I A British Born Confused Desi?
What a absurd thing to say
I am British Born COOL Desi
Not confused
Respect me
Accept me
For what I am
Combining the best of both worlds


* DESI – means anyone originating or has parents, grandparents originating from the Indian sub-continent