About 20 years ago, I knew a Tamil Sufi named Bawa Muhaiyaddeen. He was tiny, very old, had a bald head, a white beard, and very much reminded me of a spider monkey. And he was a great cook. These are the spices Bawa used for making Biriyani:

Powdered spices:

• 1/2 tablespoon cayenne
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• a couple of cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon of ground coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon of cumin powder
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric.

Grind in a suribachi or with a mortar and pestle:

• 5 cardamon seeds (not pods)
• 1/2 teaspoon fennel seed
• 1/2 teaspoon fenugreek

Seed Spices

• 1/2 teaspoon of cumin seed
• 1/2 teaspoon black mustard seed

See Spider Monkey's Biriyani for a biryani recipe.