Its soooo weird waking up and having to comment on something said pages ago...man things move fast here.
I love a Madras. I found out recently how the Indian shops make their curries...utube "base gravy" and "pre cooked meat for curry".
I been making curries for ever. Could never get it like them. Now I make it better, cause its identical and homemade
I was taught the rudiments by the mother of a South Indian girlfriend I had late 70s, then travelled there. I should have run away with her mother, an incredible cook ....
Most Indian restaurants cook food that is not even remotely like Indian food, unless you can find that rare gem, I used to frequent a South Indian vegetarian place in Bristol, real, outstanding. There's also one that is very good in Plymouth SW UK called "Veggy Perrins" it's cheap, they love what they do 8).
In UK "Indian" restaurants are 85% owned by people from Pakistan. Balti was invented in northern UK etc etc. I'm told it's easier to find authentic Indian food in the USA now.
When I have the time to do it properly I cook it the way I was taught, which does not involve piles of pre-cooked meat ( restaurants & takeaways often use "mechanically recovered" chicken formed into pieces- google it and be shocked) and 10 types of sauce that are then combined. Yuck!
When I don't have the time I quickly saute meat, fish and/or veg with separate spices ( in large not teaspoon quantities!) then chuck it all in a slow cooker with coconut milk or whatever, simples 8)
A good overview of S. Indian foods here-
South Indian Recipes, 950 South Indian Dishes, Food Recipes, Tarladalal.com
Go for Gujarat recipes, fantastic, I go to a Gujarati restaurant in Moscow, real South Indian folks, a symphony of food and not crazy expensive, if you can find such a place run there!