This is a clumsy attempt to explain vocabulary of the largest Cacophony Theater in the world called India. These are not authentic definitions by any means; at the best treat it at as a layman’s dictionary of Indian terms. Take it with a pinch of salt, if you may.
In other words, please don't mob me with angry emails!
Avatar : Incarnation of the God on in various forms. In the Hindu mythology the same god takes various "Avatar" at different point in time with a purpose.
NH: National Highway . Usually they are large and often interstate highways connecting many large cities.
Indian Railways : The railway network in India. This is the sole operator of trains in India.
Raja : The king.
Rani : The queen.
Maharaja : King of kings , Emperor or a great king usually ruling (ruled!) a big kingdom.
Maharani: The queen of Maharaja.
Raj: Raj means king, but often in historic contexts this term is used to refer the British rule in India.
Mughal: Refers to the Muslim empire that ruled India from 17th century till 18th century AD.
Yoga :
Ayurveda : The ancient system of medicine in India. Ayur means life and Veda means science or knowledge.
Hindi : The language spoken by about 40% Indians. Hindi is the national language of India. Mostly spoken in northern and central Indian states.
Sanskrit : Ancient language spoken in India.
Vedas : The sacred texts of Hinduism composed in Sanskrit language. Originated in 1500-500 BC , the Vedas forms the oldest surviving literature created by mankind . There are four Vedas : Rigveda , Yajurveda, Samaveda and Atharvaveda. Most of Hinduism's knowledge is captured in Vedas. The whole of Vedas has been carried forward three thousand years just by oral tradition.
Hindu : Person belongs to the religion Hinduism.
Hinduism : The predominant religion in India. Hinduism is in fact a living tradition than a religion in the stricter sense. Practically this is the oldest living religion in the world and also the third largest religion in the world after Christianity and Islam.
Rupee : The Indian currency.
Paisa : Indian currency. 1 Paisa is 1/100 Rupee. The term paisa is more literally used to refer cash.
Yaga : Rite performed by saints or kings ( even by politicians, in the modern days! ) to archive some purpose. A ritual of Hinduism.
Chai : Tea, usually made with boiled milk, sugar and in some cases with a bit of spices for flavor. The defacto national drink of India.
Auto-Rickshaw : The three wheeler taxi common across India. The most popular means of local and short distance travel.
Babu : Traditionally a Hindu title of respect. Later referred to the clerks and officials worked under British rule. Now is used to refer the bureaucracy with a tint of sarcasm.
Anglo-Indian: Indians with English ancestry living in India. Legacy of the English colonial period in India.
Coolie : Porter.
Masala : Spicy mixture used in food, cinema and even in news!
Bollywood : The Hindi movie industry where dreams are manufactured for mass consumption. It is the Indian equivalent of Hollywood.The B refers to Bombay which is the capital of Bollywood.
Karma : A philosophical concept in Indian religions. Karma literally means action. Law of Karma explains the "cause and effect" concept of ones action. Karma has it effect in past , present and future. In simple terms, good/bad things happens to you because of your good/bad actions in the past ( previous birth). Similarly your current actions will have its effect in your next birth.
phipty phive : Fifty five! ( have you listened to Lalu Prasad by any chance... )
Lalu Prasad Yadav : Often called Lalu , is a popular politician from Bihar. Known for his witty mannerism, articulation and shrewd political acumen.
Baksheesh : Tip for an (often ) unlawful favor. The term used in Hindi speaking regions of India.
Singh: A title or sir name of Hindu or Sikh religions.
Sikh : A person belongs to the religion Sikhism.
Sikhism : A major religion of India and the fifth largest religion in the world after, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism.
Sardarji: A Sikh title of respect. A Sikh is addressed as Sardarji.
Horn OK Please: The caption written on the rear of trucks and buses in India. It says blow horn , so that I know your presence behind me. No one knows for sure what exactly the purpose of it.
We Two Ours Two: A family planing moto advising people to have only two children. This was a popular slogan during the 1980s. Then came the real gem We Two , Ours One . You guessed it right , the population growth was not showing any sign of decline. Of late even that slogan has vanished slowly. It is realized that population to be looked at as an asset rather than liability. The focus is now on giving better education and healthcare to people than say, advising them to have how many children or luring them with a free plastic bucket for a vasectomy operation.
Shiva: The Lord of destruction in pantheon of Hinduism.
Lakshmi : The goddess of prosperity. Consort of lord Vishnu.
Dosa:
Roti:
Chalta hai: If one is asked to write a write a comprehensive essay on Indian attitude, this two words will do. In Hindi this means 'It Goes' , or "everything is ok in India" , if one has to elaborate further.
IMFL : Indian Made Foreign Liquor , yes Indian Made Foreign Liquor ! What the heck is that ?
Okey , let us think about this in the typical India logic. Whiskey, Brandy, Beer , Rum, Vodka , Gin ......are all not originally from India. In other words these are foreign liquors. So what happens when it is made in India ? You get Indian Made Foreign Liquor , as simple as that!
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