Soak tamarind in one cup water and take the extract.
Cook yellow split peas (thuvara parippu) well in two cups of water with enough salt and keep it aside.
Roast black pepper, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, asafoetida and fenugreek seeds till the aroma comes out and grind it to powder.
Heat oil in another pan and splutter mustard seeds, dry red chillies and curry leaves. Add crushed garlic and turmeric powder and the ground powder. Add chopped tomato and stir well for a few minutes in low flame till mushy.
Add cooked thuvara parippu and tamarind water and 1 cup water to it and let it boil.