Did you know that there are nearly 20 varieties of millets available world over? Seven of them are commonly found in Indian kitchens under various names! It is surprising to see an ancient grain like millet which finds mention in the Neolithic era be relegated to obscurity or be seen as a poor man’s food in today’s time.
But all that is set to change!
With 2023 being declared as the International year of millets, there is a growing awareness about the health benefits of millets. With millet farming promoting sustainable and organic agriculture processes, it is also being seen as a crop that can support in fighting climate change and global hunger.
Millet is a group of highly valuable nutrition dense small seeded grass widely grown in the areas of India. The tiny size millet is a powerhouse of nutrition. It is rich in vitamin B, calcium, iron potassium, magnesium and zinc. It is also a wonderful grain to be included in the diet if you suffer from diabetes, celiac disease or are looking to reduce weight.
Even if you are new to the millet world, chances are you have eaten millets as a child under some local name or the other. With India being a diverse country, rich in languages and food culture, the various millets available in India are known by various names in different native languages.
We decided to compile all the various names that the millets are known by in India. While this is not exhaustive, we have tried to cover most of the common names. Let’s see the local names of Millet
- PEARL MILLET AKA BAJRA:
- 85% of bajra is grown in Rajasthan. …
- Maharashtra grows 20%, Gujarat grows 12.5%
| Language / Region | Pearl millet |
| Hindi | Bajra |
| Odia | Bajra/Gathia/Katenga/Katreng |
| Tamil | Kambu |
| Telugu | Sajjalu |
| Kannada | Sajje |
| Malayalam | Kambam |
| Marathi | Bajri |
| Punjabi | Bajra |
| Gujarati | Bajri |
| Bengali | Bajra |
Rajasthan Special: Bajra Khichadi
Ingredients
- 1 cup bajra
- 1 tbs rice
- ¼ cup green gram split
- ½ cup ghee
- Salt to taste
Method :
- Wash bajra and put some water and soak it.
- Soak rice and dals.
- Coarsely pulse the bajra in the mixture.
- In a pan add 5 cups of water, then add the bajra in it, and stir continuously.
- Add soaked rice and dal in it, add salt.
- Add 3 to 4 tablespoons of ghee in it. Cook it on low heat, and keep staring.
- Serve hot with a dollop of ghee.
- FINGER MILLET AKA RAGI:
Ragi is majorly grown in Karnataka, and the regional special ragi mudde is cooked in every home. It is a local favourite and is nutrient-dense, and delicious.
| Language / Region | FINGER MILLET |
| Hindi | Nachani/Mundua/Mandika/Marwah |
| Odia | Mandia |
| Tamil | Kezhvaragu/Kelvaragu/Keppai/Ragi |
| Telugu | Ragula/Ragi Chodi |
| Kannada | Ragi |
| Malayalam | Panji Pullu |
| Marathi | Nagli/Nachni |
| Punjabi | Mandhuka/Mandhal |
| Gujarati | Nagli/Bavto |
| Bengali | Marwa |
- FOXTAIL MILLET AKA KANG
Foxtail millet is grown in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana, and Rajasthan. Foxtail millet upma is very famous. Adding a variety of local veggies and sprouts makes this upma more delicious and nutritious.
| LANGUAGE /REGION | FOXTAIL MILLET |
| Odia | Kangu/Kang/Gondli |
| Hindi | Kangni/Kakum/Rala |
| Tamil | Thinai |
| Telugu | Korra |
| Kannada | Navane |
| Malayalam | Thina |
| Marathi | Kang/Rala |
| Punjabi | Kangni |
| Gujarati | Kang |
| Bengali | Kaon |
- KODO MILLET AKA KODRA:
It is grown mainly in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu. Kodo pulao is famous.
| LANGUAGE/REGION | KODO MILLETS |
| Hindi | Koden/Kodra |
| Odia | Kodo |
| Tamil | Varagu |
| Telugu | Arikelu/Arika |
| Kannada | Harka |
| Malayalam | Koovaragu |
| Marathi | Kodra |
| Punjabi | Kodra |
| Gujarati | Kodra |
| Bengali | Kodo |
- LITTLE MILLET
Little millet is grown in Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh. Little millet upma is also commonly consumed and liked by many. It is also seen as a fasting delicacy.
| LANGUAGE /REGION | LITTLE MILLET |
| Hindi | Kutki/Shavan |
| Odia | Suan/Koshla/Kuiri/Gurji |
| Tamil | Saamai |
| Telugu | Sama/Samalu |
| Kannada | Saame/Save |
| Malayalam | Chama |
| Marathi | Sava/Halvi/Vari |
| Punjabi | Swank |
| Gujarati | Gajro/Kuri |
| Bengali | Sama |
- BARNYARD MILLET:
Branyard millet is grown in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka.
| LANGUAGE / REGION | BARNYARD MILLET |
| Hindi | Jhangora/Sanwa |
| Odia | Bila Suan/Kheera |
| Tamil | Kuthiravali (Kuthiraivolly) |
| Telugu | Udalu, Kodisama |
| Kannada | Oodalu |
| Malayalam | Kavadapullu |
| Marathi | – |
| Punjabi | Swank |
| Gujarati | – |
| Bengali | Shyama |
Jowar is grown in Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. Jowar roti and khichdi are also very commonly consumed across these states.
| LANGUAGE / REGION | SORGHUM |
| Hindi | Jowar |
| Odia | Janha/Khedjana/Gangei/Janjarla |
| Tamil | Cholam |
| Telugu | Jonna |
| Kannada | Jola |
| Malayalam | Cholam |
| Marathi | Jowari/Jondhala |
| Punjabi | Jowar |
| Gujarati | Jowari/Juara |
| Bengali | Jowar
|
Chefs and home cooks alike are experimenting with a lot of millets and dishes like millet dosa, millet upma, Mixed Millet Bhel Puri, Millet Burger, Bajra Tartlets with Fruit Custard, Ragi Wheat Dosa, Jowar Medley, Foxtail Millet Porridge are gaining immense popularity.
If you want some interesting recipes and ready mixes to include millets in your daily diet head over to https://skyroots.in
