Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Saind, Sendha Namak, सेंधा नमक and सिंध


In an old hundred year old British Indian Journal, the word 'saind' is used to describe a stone which is used to produce a blue or purple color/pigment in the Central Provinces. It's been suggested that this is simple the word for ''rock salt' in another forum. Saind coming from Sindh. Is that true?

Hi,

The information you have is right. "Saind" as you say, is called "Sendha Namak" सेंधा नमक also and it is rock salt. Purple is closer thank blue to the color we see it in. It is used in India in food. Especially it is used by Hindus during religious rituals. Hindu women take it during fasts (if they have to eat something prepared from it). Also, it has some medicinal benefits also and is widely used in Ayurvedic medicines. 

This page gives an overview of it and the Book "Be your own doctor" tells more on medicinal benefits. 

May be the name is such because it came mainly from Sindh सिंध area of India, or from near the Sindhu सिन्धु river, as reported it was called Saindhava lavanaसैन्धव लवण in Sanskrit and later on it would be popularly known as Sendha/Sainda Namak. 

Also, there is a similar sounding word called "sondhi" सोंधी. For example, the smell of soil could be called "sondhi mahak". 
सोंधी महक. 


Tags: सेंधा नमक , सिंध , सिन्धु, सैन्धव लवण , सोंधी महक 

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

ParosNRaa परोसना - to lay food on table

The word parosNRaa - to lay (food on table) - is it a frequently used word or is it specific in any ways?

Yes, it is a very common word in Hindi as well as in many regional languages in India with slight variations and is used everywhere... If you say, "khana parosna" खाना परोसना, it will be understood as "to serve food" by one and all...