The Tamil name murukku refers to what shape-related meaning?

The Tamil name murukku refers to “twisting,” a description of the snack’s coiled shape.

Murukku is a crunchy South Indian savoury snack traditionally made from rice flour and urad dal flour. The dough is seasoned with salt and spices, then pressed or shaped into spirals, coils, or other twisted forms before being deep-fried. Its name therefore describes its appearance rather than its flavour or texture.

Murukku is especially associated with Tamil Nadu, but it is also popular across southern India and in diaspora communities in countries including Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia, and Fiji. Regional names include murukulu in Telangana and janthikalu in Andhra Pradesh.

A common mix-up is chakli, a closely related snack often made with chickpea flour in addition to rice and lentil flours. Murukku also includes many varieties, such as hand-shaped kai murukku, thorn-textured mullu murukku, and the regional Manapparai murukku.