Aiyengar/Iyengar Lingo
The “Iyengar Lingo or paribhashai” for food is different from others .
Samayal is “Thaligai to Iyengars.”.
In general, the term “Amudhu” (Amirtham or Nectar) is added after all basic dishes.
Iyengars add “Tiru” (meaning auspicious or sacred), to all words and payasam is said as Tiru kannan amudhu. sathaumudhu, karamudhu and kannamudhu. In Tamil, kitchen is “madapalli” . Iyengars, say it as “Tirumadapalli”.
Generally for a pandigai, the menu is as under:
Saadam(rice), Nei(ghee), paruppu, mor kozhambu, Paruppu kozhambu(Sambhar) , paruppu usili, kari amudhu(poriyal), kootu, thayirpachadi, kosumari, vadaam or appalam, vadai or thayir vadai, saatru amudhu(Rasam), Tirukannan amudhu(payasam), thayir (curd),oorugaai(pickle).
In addition, to this, puliyodharai, vennpongal, karaasevu or mixture is also served.
The special dishes of “Iyengar Thaligai” includes Puliyodharai, Kadamba saadham,Veppampoo sattumudhu, Kandathippili sattumudhu, Vathal, Vadaam, Maavadu (VadumAnga), Molagu sathamudhu, Mendhiya kozhambu, Paruppu thogayal, Nellikai pachadi and Aathikeerai karamudhu, Akkara adisil(akkaravadisal), Thayir vadai, kozhakattai, Ela vadaam, Paal kootu, Mor kootu, thirattupaal, naartha elai podi and so on. The list is endless.
I thank Mr.M.C.Venkatesh, a Mandayam stalwart, who has offered the following amendments:
The Mandayam Iyengars (Origin: Bengaluru-The “Iyengar Lingo or paribhashai” for food is different and rather queer..
Samayal is “Thaligai”. – It is actually “ Thaliye (There is no “g” in our Tamil!)
In general, the term “Amudhu” (Amirtham or Nectar) is added after all basic dishes.
1) The Mandayam Iyengars (Origin: Bengaluru—-correction:No It is Mandya)
2) For “Breathe hard” I have heard a Mandayam man say: “Usira vidu, usira vidu”
No, it is (Usira Oodu not vidu)– )
3) We say Madapalli and Kannambhde for pAyasam
4) malag chathumbhdu for milagu sathamudhu
5) Thaliye for thaligai (No g in Mandayam Tamil)
6) Chathambhdu for Rasam
7) Puliyore for Puliyodharai
8) Karimbhdhae for Karamadhu
9) Thoyal, for thogayal
10) Akkaraadisil for Akkaravadisal
11) Habbam for Pandigai
The diet is also well balanced. On Ekadasi, it is fasting and on Dwadasi day, the menu will be medicated without triggering the acidity. Tamarind is not used on Dwadashi and the “paaranai thaligai” is Mor Kozhambu (mor kolumbu), Poricha sathumudhu, Aathikeerai karamudhu, nellikkai thayir pachadi and soon. Generally, the diet is complete only with thayir saadham, which has a cooling effect on stomach.(After a heavy meal – Vethle Pakku)
Here is something to tickle your funny bone:
1) The Mandayam Iyengars (Origin: Mandya) have a lingo which is a sort of hybrid.One instance:
For “Breathe hard” I have heard a Mandayam man say: “Usira vidu, usira vidu”– something which
has a morbid connotation for a Madrasi Iyengar! I am collecting more such quotables.
2) Lady of the HOuse (to son) “POi, periyavarai mariyAdhaya saappida vangonnu koopidu”
Son to special guest : “Elai pottAchu, MariAdaya sappida vaango!
1) The Mandayam Iyengars (Origin: Bengaluru-The “Iyengar Lingo or paribhashai” for food is different from other related cookery terms.
Samayal is “Thaligai”. – It is actually “ Thaliye (There is no “g” in our Tamil!)
In general, the term “Amudhu” (Amirtham or Nectar) is added after all basic dishes.
1) The Mandayam Iyengars (Origin: Bengaluru—-correction:No It is Mandya)
2) For “Breathe hard” I have heard a Mandayam man say: “Usira vidu, usira vidu”
No, it is (Usira Oodu not vidu)– )
3) We say Madapalli and Kannambhde for payasam
4) malag chathumbhdu for milagu sathamudhu
5) Thaliye for thaligai (No g in Mandayam Tamil)
6) Chathambhdu for Rasam
7) Puliyore for Puliyodharai
8) Karimbhdhae for Karamadhu
9) Thoyal, for thogayal
10) Akkaraadisil for Akkaravadisal
11) Habbam for Pandigai
The diet is also well balanced. On Ekadasi, it is fasting and on Dwadasi day, the menu will be medicated without triggering the acidity. Tamarind is not used on Dwadashi and the “paaranai thaligai” is Mor Kozhambu (mor kolumbu), Poricha sathumudhu, Aathikeerai karamudhu, nellikkai thayir pachadi and soon. Generally, the diet is complete only with thayir saadham, which has a cooling effect on stomach.(After a heavy meal – Vethle Pakku)
Yours……………Venky
Here is something to tickle your funny bone:
The Mandayam Iyengars (Origin: Mandya) have a lingo which is a sort of hybrid.One instance:
For “Breathe hard” I have heard a Mandayam man say: “Usira vidu, usira vidu”– something which (means “Give up your life”)
has a morbid connotation for a Madrasi Iyengar!