In French, there is no difference between "conscience" and "consciousness." In Japanese, there is a word that specifically refers to the splittable wooden chopsticks you get at restaurants. The German word "fremdschämen" encapsulates the feeling you get when you're embarrassed on behalf of someone else. All of these require explanation in order to properly communicate their meaning, and are, to varying degrees, untranslatable. Choose a word, tell us what it means, and then explain why it cannot (or should not) be translated from its original language.
In the northern realm of the country, it is known as 'Gol Gappa', whereas the denizens of the western frontier call it 'Pani Puri'. The Sultans of the medieval era called it 'Paani Ke Batashe' and the people in the south-eastern call it 'Gup Chup'. But, "Phuchka", as we call it here, can be regarded as a staple evening snack for the Kolkatans. And when it comes to street food, Phuchka is the indisputable leader.
A deep fried and crisp hollow sphere stuffed with a delicious mix of mashed potatoes and served with a hard hitting tangy sensation of pickled tamarind water, is as much a treat to the eyes as they are to the mouth. And the name "Phuchka" is the only word representing this particular recipe, because the rest of the eleven names it has imply different 'Pani' (water) and 'Puri' (stuffing) across India. Having grown up in various cities, I have tried and tasted all the twelve different recipes and styles, but none comes close to the one made in my city-Kolkata.
Phuchka has its name from the bursting sound "Phuch" when it is eaten (Indeed!).The originality of its taste and name goes deep down in our Bengali culture roots. The word represents Kolkata's likeness for tangy and over spicy food choice. It carries emotions of thousands of people of the city and definitely would not prefer its name to be translated. What if tomorrow you are asked to change your official name? Yes, there comes a void. That's what the power of a name is.
For foreigners in India, especially in Kolkata, the name Phuchka can seem more difficult to chew than the dish itself. However, for their convenience, some sellers have even gone far trying to translate it in English. Then comes what? "Watery Breads" and "Crisp Spheres"! The name Phuchka itself invades our senses with its aroma, even before we dig into it. However, 'bread' or 'sphere' surely can't wet your taste buds when away from it. Instead, it leads the unknowns to believing that it is bread which needs to be dipped in spicy tamarind water and eaten. Oh, please! (Let's not try the translation again).
The name Phuchka makes us long for some bite, even if we just finished our lunch. It signifies our search for the best "Phuchka Walla" (seller) in our locality. It signifies the food gathering (gossips) we have around the stall. It signifies the debate we have with strangers around the stall about the correct amount of chickpeas or chilies the Phuchka Walla should have used, and the always asking for extra free bites. It signifies that blissful moment when I put the first piece in my mouth (ask an Indian). Nothing lifts my mood than screaming "Phuchkaaaa", when suggesting a quick hang out with friends. And this name sounds hundred times delicious and better than Watery Breads.
However, all these points about Phuchka have made me crave for some and I need to run to my nearest Phuchka Walla now!
In the northern realm of the country, it is known as 'Gol Gappa', whereas the denizens of the western frontier call it 'Pani Puri'. The Sultans of the medieval era called it 'Paani Ke Batashe' and the people in the south-eastern call it 'Gup Chup'. But, "Phuchka", as we call it here, can be regarded as a staple evening snack for the Kolkatans. And when it comes to street food, Phuchka is the indisputable leader.
A deep fried and crisp hollow sphere stuffed with a delicious mix of mashed potatoes and served with a hard hitting tangy sensation of pickled tamarind water, is as much a treat to the eyes as they are to the mouth. And the name "Phuchka" is the only word representing this particular recipe, because the rest of the eleven names it has imply different 'Pani' (water) and 'Puri' (stuffing) across India. Having grown up in various cities, I have tried and tasted all the twelve different recipes and styles, but none comes close to the one made in my city-Kolkata.
Phuchka has its name from the bursting sound "Phuch" when it is eaten (Indeed!).The originality of its taste and name goes deep down in our Bengali culture roots. The word represents Kolkata's likeness for tangy and over spicy food choice. It carries emotions of thousands of people of the city and definitely would not prefer its name to be translated. What if tomorrow you are asked to change your official name? Yes, there comes a void. That's what the power of a name is.
For foreigners in India, especially in Kolkata, the name Phuchka can seem more difficult to chew than the dish itself. However, for their convenience, some sellers have even gone far trying to translate it in English. Then comes what? "Watery Breads" and "Crisp Spheres"! The name Phuchka itself invades our senses with its aroma, even before we dig into it. However, 'bread' or 'sphere' surely can't wet your taste buds when away from it. Instead, it leads the unknowns to believing that it is bread which needs to be dipped in spicy tamarind water and eaten. Oh, please! (Let's not try the translation again).
The name Phuchka makes us long for some bite, even if we just finished our lunch. It signifies our search for the best "Phuchka Walla" (seller) in our locality. It signifies the food gathering (gossips) we have around the stall. It signifies the debate we have with strangers around the stall about the correct amount of chickpeas or chilies the Phuchka Walla should have used, and the always asking for extra free bites. It signifies that blissful moment when I put the first piece in my mouth (ask an Indian). Nothing lifts my mood than screaming "Phuchkaaaa", when suggesting a quick hang out with friends. And this name sounds hundred times delicious and better than Watery Breads.
However, all these points about Phuchka have made me crave for some and I need to run to my nearest Phuchka Walla now!
