IPA: /ˈpʌŋkə/
KK: /pʌŋkə/
A type of fan commonly found in India, made from palm leaves or cloth, that hangs from the ceiling and is moved by a person to create a breeze.
During the hot summer days, the punka provided a much-needed cool breeze in the room.
The word 'punka' originates from Hindi 'पंखा' (pankha), meaning a fan or a device for creating a current of air. It refers specifically to a type of fan used in India, often made of cloth or other materials, that is manually operated or powered by a mechanism.
Think of the Hindi word for fan, 'pankha', which helps you remember that 'punka' refers to a device that creates a current of air.