Ambur, Dindigul, Hyderabad, Thalassery, Lucknow, Kolkata…have each given the world its own lip-smacking version of the dish loved and revered by all. Biriyani or biryani is more than just a family favourite. In fact, if you are reading these words right now, it’s more than likely that you love biryani/biriyani so much that you care deeply about the addition of an “i” in the middle of your beloved dish. We at TNM are here to tell you that you’re not the only one.
Over 9,200 people voted in a Twitter poll on the “correct” spelling. Our non-scientific survey tells us that geography plays a somewhat significant role in your choice of spelling. Are you from Hyderabad? Of course, it’s biryani. Chennai? It’s obviously biriyani.
So is it biriyani or biryani? (We are currently not accepting “briyani” as a viable candidate).
By a small margin, biriyani won with 54% of the vote, over biryani’s 46%. And let’s just say, emotions were high:
B I R I Y A N I
— Saraswat Mandarapu (@SarasMandarapu) November 19, 2019
IS
AN
ABOMINATION
I had to see this after swiggy cancelled by biryani order.
— Gnanashekar (@Gnanashekar) November 19, 2019
Hey, @dhanyarajendran Biriyani ho ya biryani. Emoticon toh same he hai.
— MTV India (@MTVIndia) November 20, 2019
We want a #biryaniemoticon. Help us get one by signing the petition and get #justiceforbiryani https://t.co/DQwJPu251m pic.twitter.com/Js5CJQovUQ
Twitter users noted that a geographical distinction plays a role in the disputed spelling:
And how should we pronounce? In the south most of us pronounce it as Biriyani. Either way delicious.
— Rupa Subramanya (@rupasubramanya) November 19, 2019
It depends where you live, if you r in Hyderabad then it should be Biryani, in TN Biriyani
— Saran (@Emanthavan) November 19, 2019
Hyderabad- Biryani,
— Saikiran Kokkirala (@Rao_Saikiran) November 19, 2019
Rest of India - Biriyani
Some brought history into the mix:
Origin of the word is in Persian language. It is derived from the word 'birian' means fried before cooking.
— dinesh akula (@dineshakula) November 19, 2019
Birinj means Rice in Persian Language. Birian means 'Fried before Cooking' in persian. Persians, Iraqi's fried rice before cooking it. In 1390's when Timur, came from west Asia to India, he brought biryani as a dish with his and his army's cuisine.
— (Abuhuraira) أبو هريرة (@iamhuraira) November 20, 2019
Now, Every country from western Asia to down east Indian sub continental countries have biryani according to their own blend & cuisine style. Even among the myanmar Muslim houses, their own version of biryani is common Friday or Feast day meal. It's varies from büryan to Biryani.
— (Abuhuraira) أبو هريرة (@iamhuraira) November 20, 2019
Actually BIRYANI/BIRIYANI doesn't have any roots in English language. So the spelling and pronunciation is left open..but with respect to its original language of URDU...it is بریانی BIRYANI only.
— Abdul4u (@maam2k) November 19, 2019
Everyone agreed that it is irrelevant as long as it is delicious:
You should not spell biryani, you should just eat it.
— Gautham Machaiah (@GauthamMachaiah) November 19, 2019
As long as it is not spelt with V-E-G before that.. any spelling is fine..
— Comedian Praveen (@Funny_Leone) November 19, 2019
— Rohan Venkat (@RohanV) November 19, 2019