Iyengar Lingo.…..by Vengrai Parthasarathy
The “Iyengar Lingo or paribhashai” for food is different from that of Mandayams. The Mandayams are Iyengars too but they have their own paribaSha
Samayal( cookery) is “Thaligai”. in Tamil.In general, the term “Amudhu” (Amirtham or Nectar) is added after all basic dishes by Madrasi Iyengars add “Tiru” is added (meaning sacred), to all words. Oayasam is known as Tiru kannan amudhu. Similarly sathaumudhu, karamudhu and kannamudhu. In Tamil, kitchen is “madapalli” Iyengars, call it as “Tirumadapalli”.
Generally for a pandigai (festival), 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 “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 “Iyengar Lingo or paribhashai” for food is different from other cookery of Mandayams. The Mandayams are Iyengars too but they have their own paribaSha
Samayal is “Thaligai”. – Mandayams spell it as “ Thaliye (There is no “g” in Mandayam Tamil)In general, the term “Amudhu” (Amirtham or Nectar) is added after all basic dishes by Tamils..
1) The Mandayam Iyengars have their own lexicon. They (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 to whom it means
‘Give up life”.!
2) For “Breathe hard”
I have heard a Mandayam man say: “Usira vidu, usira vidu”
No, it is (Usira Oodu not vidu, says the Mandayams.)Well, that is
no better !– )Mandayam paribasha :some examples as per Venky..
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, claim the Mandayams.. 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)
P.S.
Here is something to tickle your funny bone:
Lady of the House (to son)
“POi, periyavarai mariyAdhaya Ellai pOttAchu saappida vangonnu koopidu”
Son to special guest :
“Elai pottAchu, MariAdaya sappida vaango!
(in TAMIL “mARIYaDAYa” has a threatening connotation.)