The Namesake Glossary

Glossary of Terms

aloo gobi

a dry Indian and Pakistani dish made with potatoes, cauliflower, and spices.

bidi

a thin Indian cigarette made of tobacco wrapped in a tendu leaf.

biryani

a set of rice-based foods made with spices, rice (usually basmati) and meat, fish, eggs or vegetables.

coolie

an unskilled native laborer in Asian countries including India and China.

croquette

A small fried food roll usually containing mashed potatoes or minced meat.

Cuticura powder

an antibiotic, medicated soap powder.

Durga pujo

also known as Durga puja, an annual Hindu festival in South Asia that celebrates worship of the Hindu goddess Durga.

flokati

a handmade, shag wool rug.

harmonium

a free-standing keyboard instrument whose sound is created by blowing through reeds.

melamine

a white, crystalline resin.

pantua

a traditional, deep-friend Indian confection.

payesh

a Bengali rice pudding.

salwar kameeze

a unisex outfit of pants and a shirt worn in South and Central Asia.

sari

a strip of unstitched cloth, draped over the body in various styles.

sous-chef

the second-in-command in an industrial kitchen.

stupa

a mound-like structure containing Buddhist relics.

tandoori

traditional North Indian fare prepared in a tandoor, or clay, oven.

ululate

to howl and wail, usually with grief.

vermilion

bright red

vociferous

noisy and clamorous.