raw tamarind or tamarind pulp

when cooking..
which one is better
raw tamarind or tamarind pulp
do you see a difference

I use a small ball of raw tamarind while making curries. Tamarind pulp is cumbersome. Depends on which dish you are preparing. For vegetables or channa masala usually they add tamarind pulp, else for other raw tamarind is preferable.

When we go for chutney like grinding recipes tamarind can be used

else

if it is like sambhar,rasam or kootu tamarind extract(pulp) is the best