The boti is a long curved blade that cuts on a platform held down by foot. Both hands are used to hold whatever is being cut and move it against the blade. The sharper side faces the user. The method gives excellent control over the cutting process and can be used to cut anything from tiny shrimp to large pumpkins. The cutting instrument is not unique to Bengal. It is well known in Maharashtra and South India also. The names in South India are in Tamil: Arivalmanai or Aruvamanai, Telugu: Kathipeeta, Konkani: Addili, Marathi: Vili or Morli, Odiya: Panikhi, Bihar: Pirdai, etc. It is known as Chulesi in Nepal and used to chop vegetables mainly in the rural areas of Nepal.