I once spent an evening searching youtube for naan videos. They all seem to use a pad to push the naan against the side of the tandoor. The oven mitt is a clever substitution. They also spray or brush the dough with something, perhaps water, to aid it sticking to the side of the oven.
Here's an
example, with an interesting tandoor that has a tilted mouth, and, I would guess, a separate flue. Worth a watch.
I haven't seen the recipe you talk about. Does it have both yeast and baking powder? That is weird, but it may be the way they get those big puffy bubbles that char.