This is inspired by a similar Bong Alphabet list I received, which was satirical though. So decided to compile this list of Iyengar vocabulary.
Before that a small brief about the community itself: As someone said, the Iyengars would either be cooks or in the US. If there is one Iyengar family that doesn’t have a relative in US, then there is something seriously wrong. Should really check their ancestry. : ))
One of the most fanatical community, they are an island amongst Brahmins. They believe only Vishnu is God and serious Iyengars like my mom don’t even go to worship Siva in Meenakshi Amman temple. Meenakshi is ok; She is Iyengar by birth!!
Everyone would be called as Srinivasan is what my guess is. In my mom’s house, the great grandfather, grandfather, father, son & great grandson all were called so. Like the King Edwards!!
Never name anyone Ganesh, Karthik or any Iyer sounding names. The community is a curious combination of strict orthodoxy and lenience. They don’t touch anything non-iyengar even with a 10-foot pole, but has so much lenience built in. Myth says that, once Mahavishnu forgot that, it was a Ekadasi, a fasting day and he had a sumptuous meal and grandly finished with a paan. When someone saw Him and was shocked at his impropriety, He nonchalantly said, Ekadasi is only tomorrow. Since then all Iyengar celebrations has always been in the next day.
Funnily & truly no one else subscribe to their idea of superiority.
Now to the vocab!!!!
Aam, which means home. This has given way to words like Aathukaarar, Aathukaari, meaning husband & wife respectively. Etymology: variant of Aham, standing for self or home
Bitley, this stands for a special dish mostly made out of Bitter Gourd. Etymology: unknown.
Chathumathu, a staple-diet for Iyengars! All Iyengar children are brought up only in the diet of Paruppu & chathumathu. Etymology: variance of Saadham (that is rice) and Amudhu (that is again a variant of Amrut)
Chanian refers to actually Saturn or Sani that is supposed to do bad for people. But Iyengars use it as a swear word. Kids learn to use the word just after they learn Appa, Amma..
Dertham stands for water Etymology: Variant of Theertham, a Sanskrit word for water.
Dedhyonam stands for curd rice. Etymology: Unknown
Ecchapiratal stands for ‘cleaning the place where you have food. Etymology: Ecchal meaning ‘leftover’ and Piratal meaning ‘gathering’
Garudazhvaar, the vehicle of Mahavishnu. This gave him a name as Azhvaar which a demi-god status. True to Iyengar idiosyncrasy, they look up for an Eagle type bird and pray.
Jeer, is the Iyengar equivalent of Sankaracharya. Head of the mutt different sects of Iyengars belong. Iyengars have the peculiar belief that only in their tradition, God visits a bhakta at his home, apart from the Baktha visiting him at his abode. The Jeer is responsible for bringing God home. But mind you, Vishnu is very costly. The Jeer visting your house will be akin to a Tsunami devastated one. And the entourage is super madi. Use only well water for cooking and when they serve food, they practically throw it at you.
Kariamudhu stands for Subzi. Etymology: Kari, which is a Tamil word for vegetables and amudhu again for amrut.
Kadangaran originally means somehow who has borrowed. But all errant kids / people are referred as Kadangaran. Female Gender variant also is used. It is a favourite swear word with another interesting word that comes up next.
Kattelova, pronounced as I have written, this is actually a variant of ‘Kattale Poravane’ once again meaning one who goes in the funeral palanquin. What is the idea of using this as a swear word I don’t know. Afterall, all of us will be so once.
Madi means clean. Actually super clean!! One can achieve madi status, by taking bath head to toe, wear clothes washed separately and dried. If anything from a crow to a kid even touches a half-dried cloth, then wearing that would disqualify for madi status. Sometimes even a particular distance could be a madi deterrent Etymology: Unknown
Naalayira Divya Prabandham is referred as Tamil Veda, a collection of 4000 hymns made in praise of God. Wonderful literature and almost a definitive guide to Vaishnava psyche.
Naarmadi, a symbol of backwardness and Brahmin cruelty in general. A sari in a dirty colour worn by Iyengar widows, irrespective of the fact they would be only in their twenties.
Oppiliappan refers to God at Kumbakonam also referred as Chinna Tirupathi. Iyengars can make their offerings to this God, which originally was supposed to be done at Tirupathi. Etymology: Oppu means parallel in Tamil, and the word stands for ‘One without any parallel’
Puliyodharai, can be called as Iyengar’s USP. Stands for Tamarind Rice, the community is known to be specialists in making this dish! Etymology: Puli is Tamil means Tamarind.
Paandal, a variant of theetu. Maybe a scheduled caste amongst the theetu!!
Saligramam, a stone that is collected at the Himalayan Ranges where the God is supposed to reside. Can’t think of an Iyengar house without that. Stored in a rice container sometimes, this being a fast-food world, to ensure that God doesn’t go hungry. Etymology: Unknown
Sudarsana Homam, a ritual that is performed for general well being. Iyengars don’t do Ganapathy Homam.
Sahasranamam refers to the 1000 words of Mahavishnu, the supreme Iyengar god. Actually it is Vishnu Sahasranamam, but only referred in general.
Thirumapararathu stands for adding ingredients like Mustard & Ghee mainly in chathumathu. Etymology: Unknown
Theetu, means untouchable. All Iyengars except old grandmothers are always in a state of theetu.
Thumbikai Azhvaar, a perfect example of Iyengar fanaticism. It is a God that looks like Ganesha (the elephant-headed one). Since Iyengars cant worship Ganesha but he being all powerful, an Iyengar substitute was badly needed and hence this God
Thenkalai, one sect of Iyengars. They believe that there are like cats. As the mother cat always carries the kitten, they believe that God will carry them everywhere. Don’t think they respect Vadakalai’s too much.
Vadakalai, one sect of Iyengars. They believe that there are like monkeys. As the monkey babies grab their mom and travel with them, they need to grab God and travel with him. They obviously think low of Thenkalai’s.
Vishnu, the prime deity. For Iyengars, life starts and ends with Vishnu. No other God matters.
There could be more words, but right now can think only this much. Will try and build the vocabulary.
Till then, a toast to all Iyengars!!!!
Before that a small brief about the community itself: As someone said, the Iyengars would either be cooks or in the US. If there is one Iyengar family that doesn’t have a relative in US, then there is something seriously wrong. Should really check their ancestry. : ))
One of the most fanatical community, they are an island amongst Brahmins. They believe only Vishnu is God and serious Iyengars like my mom don’t even go to worship Siva in Meenakshi Amman temple. Meenakshi is ok; She is Iyengar by birth!!
Everyone would be called as Srinivasan is what my guess is. In my mom’s house, the great grandfather, grandfather, father, son & great grandson all were called so. Like the King Edwards!!
Never name anyone Ganesh, Karthik or any Iyer sounding names. The community is a curious combination of strict orthodoxy and lenience. They don’t touch anything non-iyengar even with a 10-foot pole, but has so much lenience built in. Myth says that, once Mahavishnu forgot that, it was a Ekadasi, a fasting day and he had a sumptuous meal and grandly finished with a paan. When someone saw Him and was shocked at his impropriety, He nonchalantly said, Ekadasi is only tomorrow. Since then all Iyengar celebrations has always been in the next day.
Funnily & truly no one else subscribe to their idea of superiority.
Now to the vocab!!!!
Aam, which means home. This has given way to words like Aathukaarar, Aathukaari, meaning husband & wife respectively. Etymology: variant of Aham, standing for self or home
Bitley, this stands for a special dish mostly made out of Bitter Gourd. Etymology: unknown.
Chathumathu, a staple-diet for Iyengars! All Iyengar children are brought up only in the diet of Paruppu & chathumathu. Etymology: variance of Saadham (that is rice) and Amudhu (that is again a variant of Amrut)
Chanian refers to actually Saturn or Sani that is supposed to do bad for people. But Iyengars use it as a swear word. Kids learn to use the word just after they learn Appa, Amma..
Dertham stands for water Etymology: Variant of Theertham, a Sanskrit word for water.
Dedhyonam stands for curd rice. Etymology: Unknown
Ecchapiratal stands for ‘cleaning the place where you have food. Etymology: Ecchal meaning ‘leftover’ and Piratal meaning ‘gathering’
Garudazhvaar, the vehicle of Mahavishnu. This gave him a name as Azhvaar which a demi-god status. True to Iyengar idiosyncrasy, they look up for an Eagle type bird and pray.
Jeer, is the Iyengar equivalent of Sankaracharya. Head of the mutt different sects of Iyengars belong. Iyengars have the peculiar belief that only in their tradition, God visits a bhakta at his home, apart from the Baktha visiting him at his abode. The Jeer is responsible for bringing God home. But mind you, Vishnu is very costly. The Jeer visting your house will be akin to a Tsunami devastated one. And the entourage is super madi. Use only well water for cooking and when they serve food, they practically throw it at you.
Kariamudhu stands for Subzi. Etymology: Kari, which is a Tamil word for vegetables and amudhu again for amrut.
Kadangaran originally means somehow who has borrowed. But all errant kids / people are referred as Kadangaran. Female Gender variant also is used. It is a favourite swear word with another interesting word that comes up next.
Kattelova, pronounced as I have written, this is actually a variant of ‘Kattale Poravane’ once again meaning one who goes in the funeral palanquin. What is the idea of using this as a swear word I don’t know. Afterall, all of us will be so once.
Madi means clean. Actually super clean!! One can achieve madi status, by taking bath head to toe, wear clothes washed separately and dried. If anything from a crow to a kid even touches a half-dried cloth, then wearing that would disqualify for madi status. Sometimes even a particular distance could be a madi deterrent Etymology: Unknown
Naalayira Divya Prabandham is referred as Tamil Veda, a collection of 4000 hymns made in praise of God. Wonderful literature and almost a definitive guide to Vaishnava psyche.
Naarmadi, a symbol of backwardness and Brahmin cruelty in general. A sari in a dirty colour worn by Iyengar widows, irrespective of the fact they would be only in their twenties.
Oppiliappan refers to God at Kumbakonam also referred as Chinna Tirupathi. Iyengars can make their offerings to this God, which originally was supposed to be done at Tirupathi. Etymology: Oppu means parallel in Tamil, and the word stands for ‘One without any parallel’
Puliyodharai, can be called as Iyengar’s USP. Stands for Tamarind Rice, the community is known to be specialists in making this dish! Etymology: Puli is Tamil means Tamarind.
Paandal, a variant of theetu. Maybe a scheduled caste amongst the theetu!!
Saligramam, a stone that is collected at the Himalayan Ranges where the God is supposed to reside. Can’t think of an Iyengar house without that. Stored in a rice container sometimes, this being a fast-food world, to ensure that God doesn’t go hungry. Etymology: Unknown
Sudarsana Homam, a ritual that is performed for general well being. Iyengars don’t do Ganapathy Homam.
Sahasranamam refers to the 1000 words of Mahavishnu, the supreme Iyengar god. Actually it is Vishnu Sahasranamam, but only referred in general.
Thirumapararathu stands for adding ingredients like Mustard & Ghee mainly in chathumathu. Etymology: Unknown
Theetu, means untouchable. All Iyengars except old grandmothers are always in a state of theetu.
Thumbikai Azhvaar, a perfect example of Iyengar fanaticism. It is a God that looks like Ganesha (the elephant-headed one). Since Iyengars cant worship Ganesha but he being all powerful, an Iyengar substitute was badly needed and hence this God
Thenkalai, one sect of Iyengars. They believe that there are like cats. As the mother cat always carries the kitten, they believe that God will carry them everywhere. Don’t think they respect Vadakalai’s too much.
Vadakalai, one sect of Iyengars. They believe that there are like monkeys. As the monkey babies grab their mom and travel with them, they need to grab God and travel with him. They obviously think low of Thenkalai’s.
Vishnu, the prime deity. For Iyengars, life starts and ends with Vishnu. No other God matters.
There could be more words, but right now can think only this much. Will try and build the vocabulary.
Till then, a toast to all Iyengars!!!!
5 comments:
iyenghar mooku- many belive that iyengars have the most beutiful nose on earth and its very charecteristic of them hence any sharp nose which is slightly curved at the tip (like garuda) is called as iyengar nose
French iyengar- one my friends who is a kannada madhwa told me that the kannada iyengars are very proud of there pearless skin fair colour and grey/brown/green/blue eye colour. hence many claim a distant connection to french settlers in the west cost of india. so other brahmin community members in southern karnata used to make fun of them as French iyengars i don't know how far its true since i am frm chennai
Haha... just happened to run into this entry. Hilarious.
I just thought there is one "word" you have not included that you can hear every 2 minutes in every kind of expression possible and that is... PERUMALE! :)
Krishna
I don't know how I missed this one. Excellent one!!! I want to get back to these words as much as I could (I feel I have moved too far from being an Iyengar)....
BTW, Sevikaradhu vittuttengale...
Iyengars' superiority:
It's I...Iyer...Iyengar like good, better and best...
LOL. Amazing collection. May I also add, "Thirukannamadu" , the complicated name for the humble paayasam :)
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