GLOSSARY

aamaam: yes

akka: older sister

amma: mother

appa: father

aunty: a term of respect used for older women; often used as part of their name

biryani: a spicy rice dish

Divali: a major Hindu holiday, the “festival of lights,” that takes place in late October or November

Ganesha: a Hindu God with a man’s body and an elephant’s head, considered, among other things, a patron of wisdom and learning

gulab jamun: sweet, deep-fried balls made of a milk-based dough and soaked in rose-flavored syrup

illam: house or home

kolam: a decorative pattern made from rice flour sprinkled on the ground

kurta: a type of tunic

laddu: a round confection, usually served at celebrations and holidays

murukku: a crispy snack made of lentil flour shaped into spirals and deep fried

nadhaswaram: a double-reed wind instrument that sounds a little like a saxophone

paavum: poor thing

pakora: fritters made by dipping vegetables in batter and frying them

pavadai: a type of skirt

payasam: pudding made with rice or vermicelli-type noodles

rakshasi: a female demon

rasam: a spicy and watery sauce usually served over rice and often made with tomato and lentils

roti: Indian flatbread

rupee: the currency in India, worth much less than a dollar

sari: a traditional Indian dress consisting of a piece of cloth that is wrapped elegantly around the body

vadai: a type of lentil fritter

vanakkam: a greeting