Glossary

Aai – Mother (in Marathi language)

Acha – Okay, Yes

Aloo – Potato

Amma – Mother

Arati – Is a Hindu religious ritual of worship, a part of pooja in which light from wicks soaked in ghee (purified butter) or camphor is offered to one or more deities.

Ashtami – 8th day of Lunar Calendar

Baba – Father

Babuji – Father

Badi – Big, older

Baraat – Bridegroom’s wedding procession

Behena – Sister

Besan – Chick pea flour

Bete/beti/beta – 'Beti' is daughter and 'beta' is son. However, 'bete' is similar to 'child' used here and can be used as a more affectionate word for son or daughter.

Bhabhi – Sister-in-law

Bhai saab – Brother, saab – sir

Bhaiya – Brother

Bhaji – Indian vegetable curry

Bhel Puri – A North Indian snack dish made with puffed rice, spices, onions, and various herbs.

Bidaai – Time when the bride leaves her parents’ house.

Bread rolls – Potato curry stuffed in softened bread, rolled and deep fried.

Burfi – A sweet in form of bars shaped in squares, rectangles or diamonds. Several varieties exist.

Chai – Indian tea with cream and sugar and spices.

Chacha – Uncle

Chakli, chewda – Indian savories

Chapathi – Indian bread similar to a tortilla made with wheat flour.

Chathurdasi – 14th day of the Lunar Calendar, waning phase of the moon, a day prior to new moon (Amavasya) or full moon (Poornima).

Chat – Snack type dishes such as samosas, bhel puri, etc.

Chat pata – Something sweet and spicy

Chole – Garbanzo dish, garbanzos cooked in various herbs and spices.

Churidar Pyjama (pajama) – Pants with folds at the ankle

Chutney – A side dish accompanying meals. Chutneys can be wet or dry powders and vary from coarse to fine texture; made with various vegetables, lentils and fruits.

Curry – Indian vegetable dish with spices

Dahi – Indian homemade yogurt

Dal – Indian lentils, lentil dish is referred to as dal

Darshan – Vision, sight or glimpse, a term that is usually referred to in religious context: darshan of a deity in a temple, darshan of ‘Guru’, etc.

Dasami – 10th day of the Lunar Calendar

Dashera – A major Hindu Festival, it is a ten-day festival.

Durga – Indian Goddess Durga

Dhaba – Small fast food type restaurant for Punjabi food

Didi – Older sister