Nov 1973

NOVEMBER 15 TO 4^ DECEMBER 15 1973 Price Rs. 2 £ fjCvi ¦ ¦ I SHIAVAX VAKILiWMHe i .Q f ¦ i- 1 'b Q. November 1973 CONTENTS EDITOR'S COLUMN LETTERS FUTURE SHOCK ROSES FOR MS CLUBWALLA JADHAV by Geeta Doctor MORE OF A PARSI 7 . . by Feroza Paymaster OF MEN AND MARBLE by Manjula Padmanabhan A TALE OF FIVE TRIPS ZOROASTRIAN FINANCE CORPORATION., by P. B. Warden THE VOICE OF ORTHODOXY ART REVIEWS Page No. 2 4 7 20 22 25 26 28 29 30 i s PARSIANA COVER by Manjula PadmanabhanJ s editor ’s '5^ -3?.. thou^f people offe with the exception of our Art COllllTin suiprise. _ . _ '*'^*'*** would be no end pleased to find Editor, that out of seven people, six wore and our Clerk, Pravin, wore the ; , Discussions on the -Parsi com- the garments. We also felt by sudreh ^.ndi.kusti. Both their salaries munity, after they have run the explaining the meaning of the have been cut, and a committee gamut of conversion, intermarriage, sudreh and kusti lay Parsis would consisting of two former Supreme disposal of the dead, the state learn about their religion. But no. Court judges, three. doctors, four of the priests, the Parsi Panchayat, Dr. Homi Bana wrote in complain- psychologists, one' astrologer and housing, dwindling numbers and ing about “your fads and your five trustees of the Parsi Pancha- food, invariably end up with some paper’s anti-religious ideas” and yat has been commissioned to one’s plaintive question: “What is rumours ran rife that people investigate the shortcomings on the to be done?” A hushed silence wanted to burn copies of Parsiana part of the two erring staffers, follows the query, feet nervously but the fear of polluting fire pre- The report will be out in six shuffle and people tend to look vented them. Those who wish to months. Axelrod’s surveys also show that out of 693 homes 77.2 per cent were against a non-Parsi converting to the Zoroastrian com­ munity, 21.6 per cent were in favour, and one per cent expressed no opinion. As regards the Towers of Silence 84 per cent were in favour of this system for dis­ posal and 40.7 per cent were against it. Seventy-five per cent of the people interviewed were women. The interviews were conducted at home during office hours. If a survey was done of work­ ing Parsis, the statistics could vary. Axelrod’s findings put the Parsi Marriage age at around 33 years. Parsiana fans (there are some) will be pleased to learn that our little tussle with the K. R. Cama Oriental Institute has a happy ending. Mr. D. A. Merchant of Hasmin Indus­ tries donated a subscription to the Institute and very kindly offered to do the same for any other six Parsi educational institutions. So if any library or school, college etc. wishes Dyed-in-the-wool Parsis will be to avail of this offer, they should pleased to know that of a survey write in. The Cama Institute cele- of 693 Parsi homes taken out of brated this month the 143rd birth a total of 1,500 by Paul Axelrod of anniversary of Mr. K. R. Cama. It North Carolina University for his - doctoral thesis on Parsee demo- Manjula Padmanabhan i-j ’i'" away from each other. A more know if the editor wears the sudreh extroverted member of the group and kusti are referred to the sketch may comment on the late hour and on this page, everyone will prepare to depart. The solutions, it is decided, must be thrashed out the next time. And so tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow creeps in this petty pace.... To somehow bring the to­ morrows a little closer Parsiana focuses this month on a man who seems to have his fingers on the faltering pulse of the community. The controversy over Shiavax R. Vakil’s disclosures on the state of the Towers of Silence has all but overshadowed his qualifications, know-how and legal acumen that make him the right man on the right spot to tackle the many obstacles facing the community. In a freewheeling, 90 minute inter­ view, Vakil touched upon all the major issues related to Parsis. By talking to the press he becomes one of the few trustees to take the public into confidence. His atti­ tude thereby stands in sharp contrast to that of his associate trustees, such as Dr. Aspi Golwalla who when asked to comment on his trips with Vakil into the Towers Carolina University tor his was with great trepidation I iincrvicwt,. doctoral thesis on Parsee demo- entered the hall only to be met It IS also distressing to note that graphy, 98.5 per cent wore the by the gracious smiles of the office- while Vakil s article in the last sudreh and kusti; 29 per cent said bearers. They are, after all, good issue of Parsiana[provoked a host they recited the kusti prayers friends and though professionally of letters pro and con, our August several times in a day; 67 per cent we may sometimes differ, it should cover story on the high Parsi recited it once or twice; 0.7 per not cloud the fact that both the divorce rate inspired.ai solitary cent recited it occasionally; 1.7 Cama Institute and Parsiana are . letter, that of Major S. R Bamji. per cent said they never recited institutions with a common goal: X . - -— ------------- our community. said they didn’t wear the sudreh So if we have been unduly harsh was entered the hall only to be met while Veil’s article in the last sudreh and kusti; 29 per cent said bearers, of letters pro and con, our August several times in a day; 67 per cent J. . i . .—J —o ------- XU vuvv wx xT.xwv., vz., L cluuu iiic idci mat Dotn ^Qrce rate inspired a solitary cent recited it occasionally; 1.7 Cama Institute and Parsiana about the kusti prayers and 0.7 per cent the education of our community, the, dead than the living. ----- xi.- ...j.-t- _ . . . . < For. those of our critics who and kusti. From a sample of 25 with them, we apologize... till inr ml*- - — ? .. _ _ T_ —_? _ _ _ _ _ ..J .2.3— _ j. £ ^ ^ ^ ^ « ,|»^use he finally bought a per cent said their fcMstz prayers the subscription, coj^ ^^arsiana, want to say several times, 80 per cent once or it’s j^ue. It’s because he sub- twice, eight per cent occasionally and eight per cent never. On taking a census of the to the faith. “Where do you draw txmtoad- we put Shiavax on the Irani homes it was found that four next year when it’s time to renew cojgj ^^ ‘ ^arsiana, we want to say several times, 80 per cent once or scribe^.' Our feature^^^e sudreh and Whenever one speaks of allow­ ing converts, Parsis traditionally picture hoards of people flocking kusti yHon ^^loch notoriety, to f’arsitnza staff we found that every- the line,” they ask, “do you want 2 fl 11 i <1 I w ^5^A trip I made to Bangalore cancel all speeches. earlier this month to spy on Parsis was easy,” recalls Geeta, “with judif vliviv vv/iiividvd niiH viiv Tioii an- cious smiles in the direction Of the other eminent personality also made photographer, the ribbon was cut, tnochis (cobblers) and bhangis in shrugged, said he didn’t know what themselves by selling pickles and our fire temples?” To find out I was talking of and looked away, posters, and also make a few pro- exactly what it is that people have I also gave him a piece of my mind found remarks on the state of the against mochis and their brethren (people often wonder if I have any Indian economy and the need to I sat down next to one near Sir left) and stormed away. The encourage free enterprise.” But a Phirdzshah Mehta Road to have Prophet had a word for such half hour delay caused by the dis- the heel of my shoe repaired. It had people: vaepaya (See “A Sort of appearance of the • ceremonial rib- wom out. He observed that the Curse” Parsiana August issue). bon, prompted the organizers to shoes were English—they were my trip I made to Bangalore cancel all speeches. “The rest father’s—and therefore needed earlier this month to spy on Parsis was easy,” recalls Geeta, “with judi- English soles as the Indian ones there coincided with the visit an- cious smiles in the direction of the would wear out in no time. A ________ _ ________ healthy respect for the English, I to this “ 1 ndian Geneva”: Ms. while a dainty little creature ad- noted—one of the most essential indira Gandhi. Since we both had vanced, bearing a large bouquet of criteria for admission to the Parsi rather hii*\v scheduler it wa^ not flowers. I carefully avoided pick­ fold. He then worked away, possible us to meet but a? a ing up the girl and kissing the attended to a few stray customers, ^ivic reception for “Our Beloved bouquet, in my nervousness, and spoke of his trade, the spiralling Prime Minister” at the Sri Kanteer- was about to heave a sigh of relief price of leather and how he made Stadium we caught a glimpse when a little boy also started trot- anywhere between 10 to 15 rupees qJ g^ch other. She wore dark ting out in my direction holding a a day. A pair of slippers would glasses and a shell pink saree with large pedha which he shot into my earn him 10 rupees for his labour, a black border. I had on a white wide open mouth as though we he noted. There was another striped shirt, brown trousers and were playing a game of marbles. I mochi who sat about seven feet contact lenses. There was some con- l^ad scarcely started recovering away who wasn t doing much busi- fusion in our section of the stadium from the effects of this when the ness. My mochi pointed out that gg whether we were supposed proud Father of the child, camera his work wasn’t very good and j-q stand or sit. In the din of lu hand, came and inquired whether that legally the other fellow was deciding this matter the reading I would mind repeating the per­ obliged to sit 10 yards away but of the Kannada version of Ms formance since in the excitement, he didn’t object. Benevolent fel- Gandhi’s sneech was comnleted he had forgotten to record the low. The finish to my heels was jben She spoke. In a rambling moment .for posterity.” a little uneven but I overlooked absentminded manner she talked - (I V low. The finish to my heels was jben She spoke. In a rambling moment .for posterity.' a little uneven but I overlooked xcxlk it because at my age you become about celebrating Id in Kerala a philosophical about things like the jay before and in Mysore this day. appearance of the soles of your “jt bas been a double festival for shoes But a day or two later, a she went on to tell us that squeak developed and the English “poverty has to go by our own heels seemed to wear off pretty efforts,” and “that advancement fast. Maybe we shouldn t accept brings its own problems,” and converts.... while Bangalore had its urban While the debate as to who problems, so did “Singapore, Japan, should be accepted into the fold' America”, and several other non­ continues, I feel some thought communist countries. Ms. Gandhi should be given as to who should felt that the women of Bangalore are be turned out. About two years more colourful than the women of ago while waiting at the Nana North because they have Chowk traffic light a BEST bus ‘‘beautiful silk” saris. After leav- swiped my car and drove off. I gave chase, cornered the bus at the next stop and gave the driver a the BEST j^omiitedi^uiry sleep and that all politicians are., and a reply several months later For those who feel Parsi enter­ stating the driver was not at fault, prise is on the wane, there is The fault was mine for stopping at heartening news. Mani Meher- a red light! Last month at the same Homji, who wears the kusti (see spot, where once again I had made last issue of Parsiana) joined hands the mistake of stopping for a red with Celia D’Mello, who does not traffic light, a white Ford or im- wear the sudra or kusti and held ported Fiat driven by a well-to-do a sale of knick-knacks at the Bosco Parsi in his late 50s or early 60s Club Hall in St. Andrew’s Church swiped my fender, stopped for a at Bandra. Geeta Doctor who in- sjflit se«)hd and then drove off. augurated the function, debated When I caught up with him at the whether to start off her speech next traffic Mght his attitude was noting “how splendid it was that precisely that of the bus driver. He two young women should liberate me. . After leav- j ing the stadium with visions of dou­ ble festivals and beautiful silk saris our driver told us that there was piece of my mind. A complaint to in Bangalore, no place to IN MEMORIUM The loss of eminent men and women is-always greatly felt, especially in a commu­ nity as small as ours. In the course of the last few months we have bid a very reluctant farewell to Mithubehn Petit, Peston ji Hansotia, Jehangir Chiniwalla, Naval Vakil, Dr. Soli Nallaseth (pictured above) and others. On behalf of all those who hold these outstanding indi­ viduals in esteem, Parsiana offers its deep^t synjp^hieS to the bereav^ families. - ‘ i ^arsiana 3LETTERS this matter, he stated that he did The dokhma system “^y not find anything repulsive inside been . suitable in its own day ni the DokhmL ancient Iran, when arable land was The Society of Helping Hands difficult to procure. Every asked Vakil to deliver a lecture on gquare-foot of land was precious Dokhmenashini and truthfully ex- those pastoral people whose press his views on this subject so gattle was their main wealth. Fill- that many members of the electo- j^j,gg tracts of land with grave­ rate who had doubts about his yards would have been an econo­ beliefs could get them clarified. At fgHy Qas, electricity, oil and this lecture, held on 12th November pther means of producing heat and 1972, Vakil compared the four light were then unknown, and in a methods of disposal of the dead; pj yast deserts, fire-wood was the disadvantages of the three gparce. Moreover, fire held a most methods, viz, burial, cremation, revered position in the Middle consignment to the sea, and stated: **due to burial the earth is polluted 2arathushtra. and the decomposed corpse breeds bodies on Towers of Silence billions of micro-organisms^ C There is , Vakil’s statement that vultures at crenmtonum can Doongerwadi are becoming scarce. On the contrary, when we the un- dersigned visited the Dokhmas on of Dokhmenashini ' in rouay s uvci-pupuicii.v.«^ a number of occasions, we observed cheapest and the most scientijic gparce and nations 100 to 120 vultures in the vicinity »*^fh^^o(^^i^^sal^^fJM are fighting tooth and nail to pre- ' ich the body wa3 am in o, • ggj.yg ibeir borders. Large cities conbigiicd. Moreover it has menashini and the propaganda car- millions of inhabitants have officially ascertained by the ried out against me is entirely g everywhere and in no that thfi total number false^'. At this lecture he also r i^dia, Pakistan or Burma his wish that situated quiet and secluded spot. Grow- cities have engulfed these ^t when one refers to the opinions published in papers. treated by other communities as of the world famous Ornithologists Now, in his statement. Vakil mere objects of curiosity. who have unanimously confirmed says that in 1970 he had complained it is a sad commentary of our that vultures consume dead bodies ^p,g Trustees of the Parsi Pun- indifference if, as Shiavax Vakil to the bone. Even the Nasesalars ghayet asking them to consider “an says, every dead body is consigned when asked categorically confirmed alternative mode for the disposal of to the well (Bhandar) of the dokhma that the bodies are completely de- dead”. Why did he not disclose after 24 hours, to pile up atop voured by the vultures. this very important fact to the other similar decaying and stinking Vakil further states that the voters who, relying on the state- ones. The first and foremost need bodies remain in the Towers “for ments and assurances given by him of the hour is to have J^^se^bodies months, rotting and stinking in the in his speech, voted for him? ' ’ ’ -i-— * process of decomposition.” The y^g an abiding faith in our T_ ¦ ________ _ ___ existence for the last 300 years, propagandists like Shiavax Vakil -- —— Itk W w** » ed that a foul smell has emanated jrjm have gone. from the Dokhmas, nor of any form of epidemic having prevailed there, Nelie R. Noble, This in itself conclusively proves that the dead bodies are devoured , which would never have been the Robad R. Noble, case if what Vakil states is correct. Rohinton R. Noble, In his circular Vakil states that Jehangir F. Shroff, he was once acepmpanied by his Nadir E. Turel, co-trustee Dr GolWalla when he . visited the but when this > gentleman was asked by us about Burjor F. Pavri. 'fi ** 11 f *> "M* 5**^^ I V, -.V" "11 .MO" irt d _ i the Middle before the era of And thus, leaving hill-tops, exposed 32___ billions of micro-organisms. Cre- elements and to wild beasts absolutely no truth in motion pollutes the sacred fire, and birds, came into vogue as the cr.n never be i^^ precursor of the dokhma system. on Doongerwadi Grounds. In the |-j|at was a few thousand years present times, our age old method . ,,------- "‘I ifig ijgst, the lUU to l^u vuiiuico 111 iiiv --------t of the tower in which the body was am to be consigned, I l^ccn. Gi**^*—*j _ _____ __ Panchayet ’that the total number false’\ ... of vultures in the area varies from stated^ tnat^ 250 to 300. < ' V^U claims ‘"subsUntial portions ago. In today’s over-populated world, fighting tooth and nail to pre- their borders. Large cities ------- — , , J are any of our dokhmas situated after hts death his body be con- * . , , —.. —... signed to the Towers of Silence. recorded and part of it has been streets and the dokhmas are published in papers. -------- c “ J Now, iaa ..... -------------- who have unanimously confirmed says that in 1970 he had complained that vulLuico CGfioiimc dead bodies Trubieeb u£ Ihc PaiSi run- muiucrcuvc 11, ao .—-- to the bone. Even the Nasesalars chayet asking them to consider “an says, every dead body is consigned when asked categorically confirmed alternative mode for the disposal of to the well (Bhandar) of the dokhma that the bodies are completely de- dead”. Why did he not disclose after 24 hours, to pile up atop voured by the vultures. this very important fact to the other similar decaying and stinking Vakil further states that the voters who, relying on the state- ones. The first and foremost need bodies remain in the Towers “for ments and assurances given by him of the hour is to have these bodies months, rotting and stinking in the in his speech, voted for him? reduced to dust or ashes through process of decomposition.” The ^g j^^vg an abiding faith in our the use of some chemicals for bot Towers of Silence have been in community and we are sure that hygienic and aesthetic considera- existence for the last 300 years, propagandists like Shiavax Vakil tions. The idea of but neither has it ever been record- oblivion as those before or encouraging vultures in today - - - - ' « ’------------? sky-lined cities is as feasible as having a garden with coconut palms in every flat in Bombay. The next need is to allow every Farsi (or his close relative) to decide for himself how his body is to be dis­ posed off after his death. There should be no bar against any method of disposal whatsoever. There may be some objection to offering nasso (dead or decaying matter) to the holy Are but we are in his statement, Vakil mere objects of curiosity. (Prof.) Khurshed C. Sheriar, tK- ", jtoday far removed from the days for a while for the orthodox, then in the method of dokhmenashini as of black magic and sorcery, and the two systems could operate side practised since ages, have built so have to see this offering in a by side, until the outmoded many dokhmas after we came to different light. The fire is indeed method is finally discarded by the India, can build new dokhmas in holy to our way of thinking, being coming generations. the extreme circumstances. an emblem representing the Crea- Reform moves at a snail’s pace Dr. H, R. Bana tor himself, and ^en described in j often merely assents to changes our prayers as the Son of God. that have already taken place. It I have been to the Towers of What better offering can we make seldom takes the lead for fear of Silence regularly lor over the past to it than to give our very bodies arousing public wrath. This ap- twenty-five years and I have parti- which ¦ encased our souls during plies to several of our other Parsi cularly noted the diminishing this sojourn on Earth! Fire is the systems, such as inter-marriage, quantity of birds in the vicinity, greatest purifier in creation and to conversion, presence of non- On occasions when I have been have our earthly remains purified Zoroastrians at religious ceremonies there in the mornings undisposed by fire would be the highest bless- qj. fire-temples, prayers in carcasses were apparent in the ing one could desire. When it comes to making use of cremato- _ ______ ___ ______ riums, this objection of defiling the Qjjg ^qj. survival of the com- other Parsi cularly noted the diminishing or in fire-temples, prayers in carcasses modern languages, a plethora of Towers, religious rites, etc. The most seri- holy fire disappears, as creihato- munity, to rnrrnind, i7 thTexdii- riums reduce dead bodies to ashes , _ _ ^2 1___ by the action of heat. They are v/jth Parsi mothers from the also more desirable from the aesthe- Zoroastrian religion. Thio io « tic point of view as the body is fanatical luxury which a diminish- encased in a sort of large oven and jng community like ours can is barred from the vulgar gaze of hapdiy aSord. manner. Why should a man who onlookers. Noshir Vajifdar has been leading a good life, who Cemeteries are good in their own matter of policy to res- works for’ the welfare of others, way and there are a number of pect all religions and religious does not gamble or smoke, but has Parsi cemeteries dotted all over our hnnses nr institutions, nnr govern- an apathy towards being devoured ...__ _____ J never enforces by vultures and wishes to get his very well-maintained and a picture |he shifting of religious trusts’ carcass disposed in another man- of serenity, like the ones in Pesha- property, if objected to by the ner be deprived of his last war, Lahore, Delhi, New Delhi, beneficiaries. rites? Is it fair in the eyes of ' '' ' " ' God and man when the same priestly class for a few paltry rupees would willin^y perform the rites on any person who just happens to wear the sudra-kusti and does not object to being disposed of in the Towers of Silence even though he might be highly debauched, a thief or even a committed murderer? The funeral ceremonies are per­ formed for people who may be lost at sea or burnt to death in a fire. What then are the religious grounds for depriving the person of his last rites if by choice he wishes his body to be buried, cremated or put to sea? Though I myself am in favour of the present method of disposal, feel very embarrassed and dis- sion of children of mixed^marriages gusted with the attitude of our 7."™ “ether; free; .the priestly class when they resort to Zoroastrian religion. This is a intimidation to prevent funeral Even in case birds are scared o oo 0 o o 0 0 intimidation to prevent funeral "" ceremonies for Parsis who wish ing community like ours can tfigir bodies disposed in another 'manner. Why should a man who Noshir Vajifdar been leading a good life, who way and there are a number of pect all religions and religious does not gamble or smoke, but has Parsi cemeteries dotted all over our fiouses or institutions, our govern- an apathy towards being devoured sub-continent. Some of them are nient normally never enforces by vultures and wishes to get his very well-maintained and a picture shifting of religious trusts’ carcass disposed in another man- of serenity, like^he on^s in I^sha- property, if objected to by the ner be deprived of his last Madras and Ootacamund. But several are also in a neglected state, for tyant of funds or due to the exodus of Zoroastrians, like those in Rajasthan and Rangoon. Moreover, cemetries get filled up with the passage of time and fresh land for the purpose is not easy to come by. Maintenance is also expensive. I cannot say much about con­ signing dead bodies to the sea but I daresay that this would be quite an expensive proposition, if it is to be effective, and beyond the means of the common man. All said and done, the crema­ torium seems to be the best way out in the existing circum­ stances, even if it has to be subsi­ dised for use by the Parsi Pan- chayat. If one is built in plea­ sant surroundings with trees and a garden, in an architecturally at­ tractive design and with ample pro­ vision for privacy, there is no rea­ son why anyone should object to one or more of them being built at our present site on Malabar higher than the skyscrapers. Hill. If dokhmas must continue We, who have unflinching faith 0 Q eoega BOOOO D O 0 00 0 0 0 0( ve O 0 0 a a Pheroze Bookbinder 1 find that the yearly rate of Rs 20 is a little too high and hence I want to discontinue the maga­ zine. Besides, the articles are not that noteworthy that you feel like paying Rs 20 for the same. _______ Hope you will excuse me for build dokhmas towering being so frank, but this is my opinion of your Parsiana. Jal D. Bengalli 9^ off, even if a dozen skyscrapers surround our dokhmas, we can re­ sort to Khurshed Negirasni as an alternative means of disposal. We can even j ------ If dokhmas must continue 4.- - Survival Know tnai lu aic vxw«.^vxv.. . / I am very much interested in ancestors the Medes, some even claiming that ^j^g parsi population problern. 1 .ancestors inc ivicu , «yi,5Rt jjj and hot a Parsi but r Parsi,friends. When- 1 ouuxxivw XX. the'Sorabji J. J. High School at Surat, about one fourth the of the students consisted of Pareis. My late father told me that when student of that school, 35 VI uva the members of ing to know that eminent scholms ^'“^"i.nSexMSrfS'corpses ’even Aiyans,'whilst THndu to Se custom^ of it is a well established fact that the j have many ^cording t , conquest Persians were authentically Aryans, j studied in th ° GS Tnd very proud of the fact. School at Su The Medes, who were the ancestors j also like to expose the of the modem Mobeds, were the shallowness of the observers of and they used to observe this cus- ntuaiists. During tom, and it was only after . hav^g years, I have consgntly^^ ^me come in constant contact with the contact with both the op^^mg Hinju ^n the High School Medes over a very long period of groups of orthodox and reformists, fcricketl which was other­ time after the said conquest that both of whom I am on equally eleven (cr ) X ancestors the Persians also eordial terms. One of the staunch- wise wholly Parsi gradually adopted this Medeian supporters of the orthodox i wrote an article ^^st yew on custom along with the other for- group, who has several times in- the Hindu population in - Milan eign Nature-Worshipping rituals of formed me in explicit terms: “We Mandir Deepotsavi_whereinstate th? Medes due to the long associa- ^.j^ow the reformists are quite cor- that the mighty ^roaster was a tion with them and such other con- rect. We also know that it will very, very great teacher out th sequent causes. History also has ^11 be as they desire within the parsis are almost on the road t recorded that the Persians who next twenty-five years or so. But extinction! A very sorrowful posi- adopted this foreign custom of the are determined to fight them tion! The great, noble,_^generoir Medes, initially did so in a very to the end!—That is all!” I am intelligent, large-heart^, jolly Parsi stealthy manner, lest they offend afraid I have no answer to that community must remain in tne Professor M. J- Pathakji Surat. I The Medes, who were the ancestors constant antagonists of the Persians, Dokhmenashini and other o^^odox mor?\£n°three and thw used to observe this cus- ritualists. Dunng the last few years beto___ ’ . i-Viofa WAFA fourths of the students there were Hindu in the High School euually eleven (cricket) which was other- atter rne saiu VUI14UV01, oom Wiivm X v... C4uaixj Parci ancestors the Persians also cordial terms. One of the staunch- wise wholly Parsi. ... orthodox ---- ------- We also know that it will very, very _ as they desire within the parsis are almost on ; or so. r--‘ ‘ --------- determined to fight them tion! sieaiiny iiiauuci, ——— aiioiu x --------- . the sensibilities of the other neigh- _but then, does it really require World! bouring Persians, until gradually, ^ny? the custom was generally adopted by all Persians. It is also interest- Mahyar Byramji Patel ® 9 % —All Religions must be tolerated... for..;every man must get to Heaven his own way. I I I —FREDERICK THE GREAT— In re Catholic Schools. I ________ I Ppoms TATA CHEMICAI^ I I IQuestions and Answers PARSIANA <£ Mr. VAKIL Photographs of Shiavax R. Vakil by Farokh Reporter Parsiana: The first article you any. On one occasion when I went ‘Manages’ means what? Who chose to write after being a trustee along with others we saw only one visits it regularly? During all for a year concerned the Towers vulture, one kite and two crows these years who had gone inside? of Silence. Why did you choose devouring a body which was con- Has it pleased me to go inside? this subject above all others? signed at nine in the morning. We You won’t believe it, but I have Vakil: Because I had certain went at twelve noon. literally been suffering from mental information and facts that I felt Parsiana: How many times did anguish. And to some extent^ I Vakil: More than eight to nine The things which I have seen ye times. Parsiana: should be put before the commu- you go into the Towers of Silence? feel it has affected my health also, nity. Vakil: More than eight to nine The things which I have seen are - times. not pleasing to one’s eyes. And for V these Parsiana- You were anoointed whose benefit have I done it and Vakil: They will come to light • ^^‘^siana. i ou were aoDomrea puMn th°e toefroSt is“tte tee -I. ------------- an ancient system? I stated in a are months then tel are .Yes, I was in charge 1?^ I delivered a month before hardly any vultures and there along with Dr. Golwalla who was this that I would prefer to die m Parsiana-. You were appointed -------- ----- - --- - trustee in charge of the Doonger- what interest have I in destroying wadi estate? an ancient system? I stated in a Vakil-. are months when there is no pan- “7 senior trustee. I felt it was Surat where vultures are in plenty, city of vultures. For instance from his duty to bring out certain facts. I would not have stated that if I now upto next May 15th there As a doctor I thought he should, did not believe in this system. I will be enough vultures. I have no not know why he has not am more orthodox than most of doubt on that issue. But from May done so. these so-called orthodox people. I again will come a time which will Parsiana: Who manages Doonger- say this with pride. But orthodoxy last for four to five months that is wadi? as I understand it is different from May, June, July, August and Sep- Vakil-. It is today at the mercy the way in which it is practised by tember when there will be hardly of the nassesalars and khandhias. these people.You were appointed Parsiana: in charge of Doongerwadi by your fellow trustees? Vakil: Yes along with Dr. Gol­ walla. In fact Mr. Boman Behram was to take charge. For reasons best known to himself he did not. I have always felt that I should do justice to a particular thing. I felt I should not be a traitor to the community. I have done my part of the job. My colleagues’ griev­ ance may be that at the earliest opportunity I should have taken them into confidence. What would they have done? They would have asked me to resign, first, that’s all. My conscience is very clear, I have not the slightest regret for bringing to the notice of the community what I have seen with my own eyes. All else is illusion according to me. What I have seen is the truth un­ less I was ] gerwadi. When the future shock comes to the community, it will be for the six dissenting trustees to decide the course of action. Parsiana; While you were trustee at Doongerwadi, what at­ tempts did you make to reform the system? Vakil: me reason putting the dead bodies on the Dr. I I Parsiana: When did you resign from the Doongerwadi trust? Vakil: I gave up my portfolio , k on the 25th of September. On the same day Mr. Boman Behram and m Dr. Golwalla were appointed trustees in charge of Doongerwadi. On the next day, the 26th or 27th, I Mr. Boman Behram constituted a committee to look after Doonger- wadi which committee consists inter alia of five si^ataries who ¦ have signed a hand bill against me and which hand bill is being cir- ¦ culated: namely Dr. Nelie Noble, Mr. Kobad Noble, Mr. Nadir ¦ Turel, Mr. Homi Dhalla and Mr. H Khurshed C. Sheriar. These people, B who are members of a committee B constituted by a trustee, are Uh attacking another trustee ruth- lessly. I gave an opportunity to 'pen IS rne iruui un- Dr. Nelie Noble three months ago, _ by^e „ fl.ere are 250 to 300 v«I- SeP^ber, khandhias and nassesalars of Doon Doongerwadi and if ^g ^j-eed vultures?’ aamadt When the future bodies are con- ’fg^ ^ag not a proposition signed per day, they would worth considering. Nevertheless, live literally at a starvation when one Mrs. Billimoria came to four thousand rupees I requested her to give the donation for breed­ ing of vultures. Now this would not be the case with a person who He is a doctor. On one occasion jg^. ^g teU you even now I would luc when we went inside the stink have approved of the idea of not vras so terrible, that he came out yyasting money on the breeding of in less than a minute. I watched yyitures. I feel it is hopeless. Let the time. I was inside for four to consider. A vulture normally ..... ........ 1.: - ; " _______ _ _ „„ . :_:/i asked this very question, ‘Vakil j have studied, a diet which I •i ____ ________ ¦ felt it was not a proposition signed per day, they would worth considering. level. Do you expect vultures me with a proposed donation of icvvi. xy J ____ fniir tVinncanH riinees T reauested to survive on human carcas ­ ses ? _______________ a Tt was imnossible for his duty. He is a pathologist. ? against the system. Of course, to do anything for the precise that even when I asked the Head Kamdar why he was i-. outside pavis he just would not sS^ouesdon "He said we cannot asKea tnis very quwuvu, ^^ave stuaiea, a met v put the bodies during these months, saheb tamara thi vaas ^harna^ jg practically equivalent to its My grievance was that these bodies to bear the ,f not mnrP.. Tf there should have been kept on the out­ side pavis and not dumped inside there is _ immediately. In fact I am quite con- natural thing^^I am ^with vinced that these bodies are being i“8 /— -------: - j - ------ j ~~ ~ ------ dumoed On no single day, did I more buildings coming up, and qq you expect vultures survive aum^a. ° -j e-Ko xAzind rhanainv directions r>of/'!»ccAc7 Pprfainlv nnl see the body which was consigned the day before. On no single visit which I made could I see . nn«e,ima fhp bodies there. They were all lying of pouring acid to consume tne, j attacked the in the bhandar. In fact the first bodies. system. Let my article be read visit was necessitated by a report y^j^n. My feeling is that with by half a dozen well-known priests from the Grand Paradi building j^pse of time and with more and or scholars. If they say that I have people that in the morning the buildings coming up, more attacked the system, I will have kkandhias were dumping bodies gky.scrapers coming up, the vultures nothing to say. I have not attacked inside. Throughout the days that gradually disappear. With the system. I have brought certain J checked, I never found a single ^j^g disappearance of vultures, facts to the notice of the com- body consigned of yesterday, today, putting acid on these bodies— munity. My article is in two parts. Parsiana'. You were not able j^nowing the way in which Doonger- One part related to facts, the other to bring about any reform? jg managed at present—it part related to views. I have made Vakil' It was impossible I will not be effective. I’m afraid it very clear that this is not an felt that Dr. Golwalla was. ulti- there will be an epidemic some artck m^ded^or fte Trjaste» Dr^ Golwalla asked the five minutes. In fact the Kamdar g^^g according to the books which > own __ ___________ If there are smell). What is the point of say- 250° to 300 vultures at Doong^- It is a wadi and if three to four bodies ..._____o- ------ - . ¦ are consigned per day, they would about the stench, but with bve literally at a_ starvation level. with the wind changing directions human carcasses? Certainly not. . this stench is going to be carried. Parsiana: Your critics say you those Parsiana: What about the idea attacked the system? acid to consume the. kel' (will you be able to bear the ^gjght if not more. no stink.It are rotting. The worst is Calcutta, intended for my community. It are rotting. The worst is Calcutta, Parsiana-. What reform can be has been misunderstood and mis- today. People from Calcutta came implemented to improve the lot of construed completely. The first to see me. They talked to me. the khandhias and nassesalarsl part which relates to'facts has not But what can you do? What I Vakil- It is only in Bombay been contradicted so far. T have really do not like is this kind of that we have professional khandhias not written against dokhma passiveness and indifference on the Vnn dn nnt bavp nashini. A grave injustice is being part of our Bombay leaders in not them elsewhere Literally you done to me by the community. I giving adequate guidance. If they their mercy today They have not written anything against don’t want to give guidance they neonle for whom I have verv it. Kindly read my article again should say ‘alright do whatever J sympathy. Day in and day and again. I have advocated that your particular anjuman wants to ^hat is their job? One of Pareis should put their heads to- do One thing which has to an ^he khandhias has a daughter who gether and decide upon an alter- extent I believe upset the c^ sings so melodiously. Who is going native method of disposal of the munity, is a gnm co-mcidence. On |g pathetic dead as a re^rve 1 have made it the day my article was published, yyg j^g^^ ^hem as harijans, un- very clear. Now for a reserve is the Dehnu Anjuman, by a brute touchables They do not go to something they are blind to. I am majority decided to have an Aram functions They cannot go to fire- strongly advocating that the Parsi Garh because vultures were not temples without going through community of Bombay and the forthcomng Md they relied on tradition, cus- Parsi Panchayat of Bombay should that article. That is the report in . 4^1 ,,.,11 guide the mofussU anjumans where the press. Now this was a pure yhatever j^ou choose to call conditions are so bad that the co-incidence. In fact I felt that d. I visit their places. Sit on their dokhmds are stinking. I have the time was over-due for our ^^7®. and chairs. I tmk to them, original letters with me just now. community to sit together and find think they deserve human treat- They ask, what shall we do? The a practical solution for a problem ^®nt but at the same time, day bodies are lying for years together, which is facing us and which will in and day out dealing with corpses. We can’t enter inside. They are face Bombay I am quite sure their hearts become hearts of stone in a horrible condition. within a few years. I feel that the and once the doors are closed they Parsiana: In Karachi you say solution of a problem of this nature sometimes empty the bodies the vultures have been eradicated even in Bombay, would take four, straight with the clothes on. That completely? f . Vakil: They were shot down, is why I have brought it out. The bodies in the dokhma there you lie low on it, God bless you. In Karachi you say solution of a problem of this nature sometimes five or seven years to solve. That was a sight which I saw and which If was reported. It is on the record of the Parsi Panchayat. Is this the 3 1 kt M ¦ KI don’t know the reaction, Parsiana: but they were not happy. Parsiana; Betore the C Paradi Apartments were built v,*dc there any offer made to sell the the Doonger. eye-witness. He saw thia and there p • _ . trust deed permit housing on is a third person also whom I took Grand Doongerwadi lands? with me. Somehow or other I -^Partaients were buUt was v . . . -..X , [ a crematorium my can- at * minded> from where. What prevents *^an? to look after her ? TMs is you printed pathetic. We treat them as nutouchsMes.'M ^.1 iJW 11"** •'nii»i*w ii» Ibif? wI 5 million rupees today, land apart, priests are starving. I have been to the Parsiana-. Why^ donT we give them man is being today , abused, philosophy is branded ‘Dabooism.’ There’s a limit to this. What prompted you to run as a trustee of the Parsi Vakil: It is very simple, who Panchayat? There was a re- Vakil: prevents I myself am a priest so I know it. No two priests think on the same level. Look at the recent contro­ versy about muktad—^whether the duration should be 10 or 18 days. When Dasturji Dabu suggested ten days he did so both on religious as well as economic grounds and look at the way in which he was abused. A suit was filed against him. Certain priests came forward against him. Affidavits were made in court. He was made a defendant. Now is it fair? Is it proper? I consider him to be one of the most sincere Dasturs, and I don’t know whether the future generation will ever believe that such a high priest existed in the community in the 20th century. His spirit of self­ sacrifice, the amount which he has given to the community by way of charity—all the amounts which he Parsiana-. What would be the buried there, he could have his has received during the last 25 cost? uthamna ceremoriy here. Is there years as ashodad—ht has given Vakil-. It would cost at least two logic behind it? A number of away in the name of those donors— million rupees today, land apart, priests are starving. They not even in his own name. You If there are two bodies and only whatever you ask them to hardly find such a man, and that one furnace then each body will <*0. Why don’t we give them nian is being today, abused. His take two hours to consume— proper guidance? minimum. I have been to the Parsiana-. Who prevents the electric crematorium in Bombay. I priests from performing the cere- Parsiana- know it was built on the muni- monies? ficence of a Parsi gentleman Mr. Bahadurji, an advocate, who _ . contributed then five lakhs of prevents them. There was a re- Vakil: I felt that I could do rupees, and five lakhs Manu Sube- solution passed by certain priests some service. I have enough other dar donated. The rest was given approved by the trustees. My charitable institutions to work for. by the municipality. A part of it personal view is that trustees are I am a trustee of the ¦ Hirabai required imported instruments and crily custodians of property. They Tata Trust. I am a trustee of a apparatus. Now of course you can the conscience-keepers of number of other trusts. They come obtain it in India through Larsen the Zoroastrian religion. They to me for advice and guidance and Toubro or Killicks. nothing to do with religion, which I give them gratuitously. Parnana- What do vou feel Muslim trusts come to me. The Pa SI . Wh t do y u t related documents you will see they Guru Nanak trust comes. I settled, have nothing whatsoever to do with last month, the Hare Krishna it. They are the self-appointed group’s dispute about the temple than the Towers of SUeice? “X “ ’¦"''S,' ^™iji wanted to . munity. Trustees only manage me in New York. I requested him Vakil: I have always felt it is properties on behalf of the com- to come to Bombay and I settled an unjust ban for the simple reason munity. What have they to do that matter within a week, by God’s that it is cruel and it has no logic, with religion? Religion is a matter grace. The dispute, if it had been I cannot understand it. You can- of one’s own conscience. In ques- left to the solicitors would have not have gher sarvana and uthamna tions of religion it’s for our lasted for years together. What but you can have all the other Dasturs to guide us, not the we need is humanity more than ceremonies after that. Now take Trustees of the Parsi Panchayat. anything else today, the case of a man who expires out- I would like to know which one sideJhe country and who is against of the trustees, including myself, outside the country his uthamna What do you feel about the ban on priests perform­ ing funeral ceremonies for Parsis who choose forms of disposal other Parsiana: dokhme nashini. If he was buried has made a study of rdi^nV ’ 7 trustee has’ been a successful outside the country his uthamna „ . . one/ could be performed at Doonger- , Why is religious wadi. Now where is the logic be- leadership not coming from the successful, to be quite frank. But hind it? Suppose he had died at, pwests. jg short a period. If I feel say, Mysore where there is no Vakil: For the simple reason after two or three years latest by dokhma and if he had been buried that among our priests there is no 1977 that I am not able to achieve there or suppose he had died at ujiity—only insane jealousy. Every anything I will voluntarily resign. Mahableshwar and he had baen priest runs down the other priest. I have no attachment to this chair. 12 Parsiana: leadership not coming from” the priests? Why is religious I don’t think I have beennot You say the Parsi Panchayat has no funds. Every­ body says it has crores of rupees. Vakil: If you evaluate say, press. Printing is a very competi- I But I will not resign on the issue Godrej Memorial Press. Why can’t of dokhma nashini. That is de- that press be run on a profit? finite. I will leave whenever I find Vai^: This is not a press which cannot do Justice to this position, the trustees have inherited. They But I do not want to oblige my started it. In my opinion trustees reviling critics at this stage. of a charitable trust should not Parsiana: What has prevented carry on any business without you from realizing your goals dur- obtaining appropriate orders and ing this year? What were the without having adequate safeguards, handicaps? Neither are there appropriate Vakil: We are today managing orders nor are there adequate this trust in the same way as it safeguards. The result, therefore, used to be managed forty years is that if there is a profit, nobody ago. Decisions are not taken gives them credit. But if there is quickly. We require radical changes ioss the day may come when they which will not be forthcoming will have to make good that loss immediately personally because they are re- Parsicna-. You say the Parsi qnired to cary on this business as reasonable and prudent men. None of the trustees has either the time or the experience to run a printing If you evaluate say, press. Printing is a very competi- Doongerwadi, on what basis will tive line. I also know how other you do so? On the basis of a presses are run. This is a line in burial ground it has no value. But ^hich secret commissions are on the basis of a property which given. Paper has to be bought can be developed it has tremendous from unofficial sources and stored, potential. Alj this is not possible for trustees Parsiana: ........ — - .1,2,--,. ¦ have an extremely competent staff leave the mill for the good of to run the business, as a business, it is not possible to make a profit. You cannot employ handicapped people to run a business efficiently. Vakil: Either you run it as a charity or you run it as a business organisa­ tion. _____ 1___ 1- ways. One exception is the Indus­ trial Institute of Sir Ratan Tata, our laws are now so strict that it But there is no analogy between is very difficult for trustees to run a business themselves. They will But now if vou sav ^^^ve to necessarily delegate this power to others and once you delegate power, unless you have th if i Trustees are only custodians of property. They are not the conscience keepers of the Zoroastrian religion. son to run it, we would certainly allow it to be run. This is my view and I have expressed it in no uncertain terms. Parsiana: Suppose the manager of a large mill was aging and wanted On the basis of a Take for instance the of a charitable trust. Unless you the community. Should he donate it to the Parsi Panchayat or should he not? I will not be able to give my Judgement on this issue, but as far as possible avoid donating You cannot have it both any business to the trustees of a religious or charitable trust because 8 I I- the two. Parsiana: that the Panchayat is not the con- science-keeper of the community, --- . ---- - if it is not to deal in business, then ^^d^^ efficient what exactly is its role? Vakil: Its function is only to manage and administer the pro- people, it is very difficult to run the concern. Today none of the trustees have either the experience, Parsiana: I perties which are in its trust, and knowledge or know-how for running as and when the Panchayat business. receives donations, to make us Parsiana: Then how do you thereof. They have to manage the raise money for the community? trusts and nothing more. People Vakil: This money comes by have given an unnecessary halo to way of donations from people—if The trustees of the Parsi Panchayat. people feel the trustees are manag- I Parsiana: But now what should ing the trust properly. Look at the be done with the Godrej Memorial Surat Parsi Panchayat. How well Now as regards a cremato- Press? it is organized and how well it is riiim naturall y the Parsis are Vo.i^il'- My personal view is, managed. There is no dissension highly emotional, as they con ­ sider fire sacred, that it would be impossible to establish a selfie? crematorium, against it. My personal view is, Vakil: My personal view is, -------o— ------- -- — ------— they should close it, and the earlier among the trustees. All decisions it is closed, the better. are taken unanimously and the Parsiana: Should they try to manner in which donations are are taken unanimously and the Should they try to manner in which donations are ........... flowing at Surat should set an I have been Vakil- if we get a good offer example as to how a tni«t is to , we will certainly sell it lock, stock be run. aud barrel. If we get a good per- Parsiana: ' Would you set up ascale industries are concerned, tiiere judge. I don’t see in which ^asj^t ties to set them up. They cannot of My kind. If a person wanted to What should But do you find a he do? trustees is IQ or more years. How sent arrangement of seven trustees can you lower it? is adequate or should there be one Vakil: The only way in which you person in charge? can bring it down is by having the Vakil: Let there be seven trustees Vakil: The only way in which you person in charge? worker, today. Now as far as small Vaktl’ . It’s for the commmuty to also it is not the function of chari- the Panchayat has given leadership ties to set them up. They cannot of any kind. I have not seen it do it. Unless they have earmarked frankly. funds for them. And our experi- Parsiana: If a person wanted to ence so far both in Surat and Bom- institute a reform today, whom bay is not very happy. should he go to? What should Parsiana: But do you find a he do? breed of entrepreneurs coming up Vakil: I still have tremendous as in the old days? Are Parsis ven- faith in the younger generation if turing into business today? they are properly guided and pro- Vakil: There are, oh yes! Quite perly led. As far as the old people a number of them. To name a are concerned, leave them alone vety few of them, Palia Brothers, now because it is impossible to re­ Garda of Garda. Chemicals. These form them or to tell them that dur- are only in Bombay. In a place like ing the last 25 years the world has Madras there are the Tarapore- progressed far more than what it walla’s for instance. I think there progressed during the last 2,500 are one or two in Hyderabad also, years. It is impossible to bring Parsis are coming up, no doubt these hard facts home to people about it. whose minds are fossilized. We are fmlav managing this Parsiana: The average age of the Parsiana: But do you feel the pre- we are woay inaiiagiug nn z,.. unw R<»nt arraneement of seven trustees trust in the same way as it used to be managed forty years ago. Decisions are not taken quickly. We require radical scheme 'alterei"“To"pro!d^*tia.t —that is aU ri^t—but there should changes, which will not be the maximum age of a trustee be expert boards of advisers for forthco ming immediately. should be, say, 70. After a parti- each portfolio. cular age a trustee should volun- Parsiana: Dr. Warden in the tarily retire as a trustee and be- August issue of Parsiana recom­ small group of economists to guide come an advisor. mended certain reforms. That we and establish young Parsis in small Parsiana: Are any steps being should have a committee of a hun- scale industries? taken to implement these reforms? dred to supervise and work in co- TZ-1..7. T« emoii VokU: I do not think that any ordination with the trustees. indSfstries^ my® experience whh steps will ever be taken. It is for vakil: No. That is out of the Parsi boys is unfortunately not very happy. Parsi boys are not very hardworking in this field. They are more interested in white collar jobs. They are not interested to go even to Vikhroli for instance. They are not interested in going to a place like Madras if there is a good job for them. I am against the concentration of the Parsi population in Bombay. Totally against it. 1 consider it to be the decline of the Parsi civilization if our entire population is concen­ trated in Bombay. Parsiana: F ‘ ________ ___ „ ____ ____ tradiction when you say our young suffrage in Bombay, the're "may" be people are not hardworking and riots. With 50,000 people eligible yet they are the only hope for the to vote, there will be several cases community? of impersonation and the like. I There are surplus lands OU taken to implement these reforms? dred to supervise and work in co- Vakil". r ‘ steps will ever be taken. It is for Vakil: ___ ___ the community to take them, not question. It will be unmanageable, for the trustees. The next election is coming for the ‘E’ register. See that your voters are there. It is very simple. If you get five rupee voters to vote for people who should be your elected representa­ tives then these very elected repre­ sentatives can start a movement for having the scheme rectified. It was one of the recommendations I advocated in 1972. I stated that in my small pamphlet. In the method of election I don’t favour the pre­ sent method nor do I favour adult suffrage because we Parsis are so But isn’t this a con- emotional that if there is adult k people are not' hardworking and Hots?°'wi'th 5o’oo6’ people elii^ble yet they are the only hope for the to vote, there will be several cases community? , - - — _ _____ Vakil’ . No, no. For small scale do not favour adult suffrage. At the vvhich we can have two build- L_2___,__________ 2 _ ’ kind e Panchayat for pose of the trust. To an extent you today?' must have a little bit of business Housing the homeless, acumen ana lorwara tniuKing. you Parsiana: Do you feel there are rm quite sure it can be done if the then definitely be able to tnn many agiaries in Bombay? trusts of Bombay—^Parsi Public Parsiana: Charitable Trusts—make a united i effort with the Trustees of the Parsi for" that purpose only. Panchayat. To begin with let us take a defined area like Colaba. At Colaba we have Jeejeebhoy Dadabhoy’s Agiary—^where you can construct two buildings of at least 10 storeys each on an ownership basis for affluent Parsis. From the lease rent which is received you can construct buildings for Parsis who are less affluent. Come next to Panday Sanatorium. It may inter­ est you to note that the court re­ ceiver has been appointed for this sanatorium. Five lakhs of rupees is the tax demanded for non-appli- cation of income within a parti­ cular period as required by law. I feel that this most valuable asset of the community, after Doonger­ wadi, will be lost because of the internal fight between the trustees. Come next to Cusrow Baug. There is a plot still vacant which should forthwith be developed. Parsiana: But where would the funds for constructing these build­ ings come from? Vakil: These funds for building can be generated if you have sur­ plus land. Lease them out and from the ground rent which you receive you can build. Take the instance of the Hirabai Tata Trust. They had a comer plot which we had reserved as a cinema site. Tenders were invited and a cinema was People have given an unneces- built. The trust receives two lakhs gary L' L __ _____ - of rupees as ground rent. Soever Parsi Panchayat. two years four lakhs of rupees will be available to put up one building. Another instance of a trust, which is a very small one is the Cooper Trust. They had a printing press. It was sold as it was making regu- Parsiana : People fear that if you lar losses. The trust received five build housing on the Doongerwadi and a half lakhs of rupees lands the Government will start mai nav« for the machine^' etcetera The ta»ng the grounds for all the years Cawasji Jahangir’s trustees appeded tt the land- we have used the land. Mazgaon h^ been clSrf tord to sell the building. Vakil: It is absurd and ridiculous and that building was sold at 65 J «a , V *1^^® to say that government will start thousand rupees some years ago. and a half lakhs of rupees. It was retrospective taxation on that land. There was one Readymoney’s let to the Bank of India who give Whatever one may say, our gov- Agiary at Walkeshwar where there the trust one and a half lakh erament is not so inhuman—yet, is also a private Tower of Silence, rapees per mnum.. The result is and will not be, I am quite confi- Not only has the agiaiy been sold that the btulding will be free with- dent, so long as we follow a policy but the lands—everythihfc Tlie IWs money of give and take and don’t claim to whole building is with nc^Parsis. |>e mvewl f(M* educational be defending from a higher stra- We do not knowKvhat hapry*- Vakil: Yes, I feel that 44 agiaries trust arg ^qq many. And I would very strongly advocate the reduction to o* y. 20. For three reasons: the pau* FaA:i7: I agree entirely with you. city of priests, the extremely high But you will have, therefore, to tell cost of firewood and sandalwood the trustees to go to a court and and because there are agiaries which say that we are not diverting the are literally starving. How long are purpose. We are not taking away they going to rely upon charities? the agiaries. We are not taking How long will they get these away the bang. There are surplus funds? There are agiaries in Bom* lands on which we can have two bay whose visitors average per buildings. Do you seriously sug- annum 20 to 30 only. K such gest that at Albless Bang you can- agiaries are amalgamated with other not have two buildings? At Cama agiaries, I am quite sure that the Baug you cannot have one build- lands of these agiaries will fetch a ing? Why can you not have a com- fabulous amount. Now the trustees of these agiaries have a senti­ mental attachment to them. Unless these trustees are willing to part with these agiaries in the interest of the community, it will not be possible to implement any scheme. An instance in point is Sahier’s Agiary at Warden Road. At Tardeo today there are five agiaries. There is one agiary at Khetwadi 12th lane called Ashbumer’s Agiary to which you have to keep on donat­ ing every year. There is one agiary at the comer of Grant Road known as Ranji’s Agiary. There is an agiary at Charai Road known as Mehlla Patel’s Agiary. Then there is of course Cama Bang which is very well patronised and Aslaji’s which is also very well patronised. At Mazgaon for instance, there are two agiaries—one is Kadmi and _____________one is Shahenshai. Now I do not sary iralo'to Se Vrustees of tte — -____________________agiaries but Parsis insist. Parsiana: trust deeds? There is no question of changing the trust deeds. An agiary has to be amalgamated with another agiary. You just make that an Atash Dadga. There have been agiaries in Bombay that have Can you change the r have Vakil'. mercial building there? never understood it.ed to the trust. We don’t know have what has happened to the trustees, what an anything compared industrial worker has. will arise. ed to the trust. ; ____ are There is no one to keep pnests. Parsiana: Would you recommend the priests form a union? discouraged from becoming —Dr. Homi Bana, advocated that our ladies, after menopause, should be taken into the fold of priest­ hood and they should be allowed to perform the religious cere­ monies. I have got that cutting Is it possible for Parsiana: Is it possible for a person who is not bom in the priestly class to become a priest? ¦ I do not know if there religious ban. We have prac- India^ the Hindu system, that the son <------------------------- What do you attribute sons. One is the extremely low in- co-operative basis by stating: what- come. Another is that we push into ever income comes out of the the priestly profession those who agiary, one-third we will keep and have nothing else to do or who two-thirds we will divide amongst cannot do anything else, so, alright, you, the priests, on a proper, y® intn f _ tato P ___ elasc and call them Beht a dislike for priests. his daughter in marriage to a priest gion etcetera. today? I know because I belong to .^york very satisfactorily. the priestly class. Once I came out with a white turban and a lady went inside because she considered it to be a bad omen to face a Parsi priest. I do not put it on because I don’t deserve to put it on, just now being in this profession. It’s j have not looked into that matter. It will not be possi- Who gives you with medical facilities, pen- " ‘ . This scheme can to an athoman then naturally a storm . But one of the most to the trust amounts. Parsiana: '-------------- - - a watch on these matters? Vakil: I don’t know. These are the facts which I am narrating to Vakil: I don’t see why there can- ___ ----- -------„ you because these are fafcts which not be a union of the younger ^.q j^y jninj jg riJi- I know. I have visited every generation of priests, but at the c^ious but the idea has been sug- agiary in Bombay, and I make it same time what is most essent^l gggted by a so-called orthodox a point to visit every agiary at least is that we should revolutiimize the g(,j|olar. once a year. running of our agiaries. This can - - - ‘ only be done if the trustees adopt Parsiana: What do you attribute radically different attitude from the paucity of priests to? what is in existence today. The - - Vakil: That is due to several rea- trustees could run the agiaries on a f’ “ ¦* ¦ is a tically ^opted after coming into - “ * • ^1-4 Q LIXV XX1X1V.4U VAAMV __ of a Brahmin is a Brahmin and we combine Ratchestar, Vastriyo- class and call them Behdhins. Hindus still have Kshatriyas, Vai- shyas and Sudras. have just combined them together, that is all. Parsiana: If a Parsi man marries out his children can come into the community but if a woman marries .Lv-j ___*; ____ Legally is by the Panthaky then the Panthakys ^here any ban to prevent people take the nrofit. But I do not know . __ r This is based on the judge- ? J" rr If ““met. ±t ¥¥411 iivi. UK. meut of JusticB Davct and Justice Jamshedji Kanga used to wear it answer that question, geamen given as far back as 1909. when practising. Parsiana: Do you feel priests judgement lays down the prin- Parsiana: Do you feel that steps should be restricted only to those if a Parsi has a kept should be taken to increase the who are born in the priestly class? mistress, even if she is a dubree— number of priests? Vakil: If I tell you that you ^.j^at part of the judgement is not Vakil: No. On the contrary I could convert a behdhin into reported—the illegitimate children suggest that we should try to train ____ can be taken into the Parsi fold, our priests on the same method as Christian priests. Give them ade­ quate remuneration, provide edu­ cational facilities for their children. If priests are well provided, the second and third generation will continue to be priests. The in­ stance in point is Behram Kamdin’s family at Banaji’s Atashbehram. JI I i 1 Parsiana: Do most of the agiaries make a profit? Vakil: It is difficult for me to say _ ______ ______ _ because if the agiaries are managed come. ’ LUVXV take the profit. But I do not know coming in? reported—the illegitimate children can be taken into the Parsi fold. But if a Parsi is married to the most noble alien woman, that right is barred to her. That is the judge­ ment of 1909. The judgement con­ cedes that conversion was not un­ known in Iran, but after we came I to India probably we gave our word of honour or whatever it may be that we would not compel anyone to convert into our fold. The re­ sult therefore is that we do not allow conversion. Parsiana: I allow the man’s children to come I in and not the woman’s? I Vakil: This they have based on some custom maybe what they , call ‘boon’, in Persian it means the . . • J seed. The father’s seed comes to priests. Who gives his dau- mother’s does not. ghter in marriage to a priest gut I consider it to be illogical, today ? I know because I be- This is my view. Of course this ¦ -* • ’— is not the view of the orthodox people. But in my view if you No. c xnmiiio*** fSj £ Similarly at Dadyseth’s Atash- behram. I Parsiana: What about the I Athoman Institute at Andheri? 1 Vakil: Arthoman Madressa at | Andheri and Dadar Madressa—I I do not know, but how many people | have they turned out in all up to now? Statistically, very few and have also a dislike for far between. We should try to at­ tract a younger generation of priests. Educate them well. Pro­ vide them with adequate facilities. „ , They don’t have pension. They long to the priestly Class, don’t have bonus. They don’t What But then Why do we1 perform the Navjote ceremony? A we will never be in a majority as behdhin can also perform the cere- long as our laws and customs are mony of initiation of another Parsi. what they are. Parsiana: A lot of our bright young people go overseas, and marry out of the community. Should we make any effort to keep them in the fold or should we let them go? Vakil: Let them go. Because in Bombay according to official statistics every week one Parsi only to Parsis professing the average of 1971. Now every sixth Zoroastrian faith. A man may be- day a Parsi boy or girl marries out come a Zoroastrian without becom- of the community. Remember, these are only figures of reported cases. There are many unreported ’ There are persons abroad cases in the mofussil and other in America who profess to follow ^^e^s. Of these about 20 per cent the tenets of Zoroaster but who represent boys or girls from Parsi are not Parsis. The Mazdyasni colonies which are under the Pan­ movement is an instance in point, chayat. If the boys go overseas or Parsiana: And if tomorrow I not, or girls go overseas or not is started a fire-temple where this totally immaterial. I have known Parsi boys going to London settling there and returning to marry Parsi girls. So their marrying out is not dependent on their going abroad. Let them go. behdhin can also perform the cere- long as our laws and customs are ] y . I have known of Hindus who re­ cite Kemna Mazda, Yatha Ahu Vairyo, Ashem Vohu. I have known of Hindus who offer sandal­ wood at agiaries everyday. I have seen them doing so. Parsiana: But the trust deeds of the agiaries prohibit non-Parsis j’ from entering? , Vakil: . Yes. Entry is permitted marries a non-Parsi. This was the only to Parsis professing the average of 1971. Now every sixth Zoroastnan faith. A man may be- day a Parsi boy or girl marries out ing a Parsi. Parsiana: How is that possible? I would like to know which one of the trustees, including myself, has made a study of religion. And if tomorrow Vakil: a fire-temple in which you allow worship fire round the clock, have seen those priests. That was the basis on seen those sadhus. Parsiana: People have pointed out that the Parsi community is dwindling in numbers.' What do you see as the remedy for this? Vakil: allow a man’s children to be brought clause is not in the trust deed? up as Parsis, at their own tz ; •» . wish and their own will, I don’t Tomorrow if you started see Why a woman s children if they pvprvnnp tn Ant k ri" t- ucpcuucui VII men Wins auruau. wish to be brought up as Parsis j® "n can stop Let them spread out anywhere they should not be allowed. “ after all a mandtr in f ? n • rm . J , which fire is worshipped. We for- Parsiana: The judgement of 1909 get that in Hinduism there is a says that people not born of Parsi Brahmin cult called Agnihotri who parents or a Parsi father cannot worship fire round the clock. I avail of Parsi trust benefits? have seen those priests. I have Vakil: That was the basis on seen those sadhus. They won’t which the judgement was passed allow anyone to smoke a cigar with- but who today is asking for trust in a distance of about 200 feet, benefits? What is the benefit that They are worshippers of fire, they are going to ask for? To be consigned to the Towers of Silence? What other benefits are you conferring? What are they go­ ing to claim from the community? Let us understand it. This is all a ; • I don t see any remedy misapprehension and a totally un- frankly, and I don’t see why we " ’ ’ - -¦ should bother about dwindling numbers? The Parsi community has never been too high and what we are concerned with is quality rather than quantity. What does it matter as long as there is one atomic scientist like Homi Bhabha, one in­ dustrialist like J. R. D. Tata and stands. Because by custom con- if there are 10,000 more taking What does it matter as long tiy. Unless you change your laws doleVor noV? “wii“ttit'beTa5‘ d :i J d ri •i I I f w founded fear according to me. Parsiana: But if somebody, say a person who is a Hindu, goes to court and says, ‘A mobed has per­ formed my Navjote ceremony,’ is he legally a Parsi? Vakil: x..do. to 20 per cent" of the community, not think rationally or indepen- In an uncivilized manner, I have dently. seen in Bombay more than 150 Parsiana: Is there nothing the Panchayat can do? Vakil: What does the Panchayat do except offer doles to them or a Parsiana: Parsiana: Was your upbringing an orthodox one? Vakil: still claim to be orthodox. Was your father a Extremely orthodox. I increase. Parsiana: Do you see any sort of remedy for this? Vakil: ’ No, my father was not a want. If they are elsewhere, they are going to marry out. If they , are here, they will also marry out beggars. —you cannot stop the flow. “ Parsiana: Do you feel the com­ munity should continue to exist? Vakil: Of course it should exist, dharamsalal Beggars are on the priest? And it should exist as a separate increase. ... r^mush^sXVtxtenVchliS's fXedWor^thisr He was a lawyer. cWae'’°''Ss wiASi)d^It to Vakil: vtmtAy yiouXA you Parsiana: And when you had your oSse H will wiped suggest? These are ^ople who are ce^mony w^ i ° not prepared to work, who are not become a practising pnesit But amona these Changes, prepared to go to an infirmary. T Certainly not. Iwasstudy- Parstana . nut among m^e cn^», people to #5^1, standarH T became you don t feel conversion, permit­ ting for example non-Parsi spouses to convert, is essential? Vakil: If I talk of conversion to­ day they will immediately say: ‘First you resign as a trustee of the yakil: Parsi Panchayat.’ , Parsiana: How often does the tably minded we will pay and I am Panchayat meet? paying. 7 Vakil: Twice a month. tun,, ms-xv. .iwv ------ -- ---------., . . ... 1* • kA U.K,: I am not paving. Not a sinde day when there was a zone ticket, with Xm SeUn. Wha? is to eight rupees and a trunk. I a « be done? These are people who job in the Central Bank of India on Vakil: Some matters are there, really beggars. Who cannot a salary of 65 rupees. The first minutes are there. j^gjp nothing to do day, I am so proud, I got four Parsiana: How long would a ^nd whom you cannot help in any rupees and one anna .as my salary, meeting last? other manner except by giving them I have not surrendered that pass- Fafci?: Sometimes two hours, some money. In the last two and book still. I always keep it be- sometimes three hours, sometimes a half years our community has lost cause one should never be ash^- more. over two cfores of rupees—-middle ed to admit that One had such a have so often taken these people to ^jjg standard. I became infirmaries but they have run away flavor, in memory of my mother, from there. jjy mother left me when I was Parsiana'. Would you say we young. My father taught me Izasni. should stop their dole? and other prayers. They are begging from Parsiana: Where were you bom? outside. So long as we are Chari- Vakil: I was bom in Africa, but __1 was educated in Surat. Till I pajfxxg. Inspite of my saying all passed my L.L.B. I was tk®re. I this, there is not sin^e day when came to Bombay just _ like that I am not paying. Not a sin^e day when there was a zone ticket, with without exaggeration. What is to eight rupees and a trank. I took a And what is the busi- Some matters are there, really beggars. Who cannot a salary of 65 rupees. 2'1 the life because I beginning. They have so often asked me to surrender this pass­ book but I will never surrender it. For two months and one day I served as a clerk in the Central Bank. Then after two months I signed articles. I had no money for signing articles. I had to bor­ row 2,000 rupees at interest and 1,000 was given by Tatas to me. I never dreamt then that I would be occupying my present position as a legal advisor and director to them. I did my articles for three and a half years in Crawford Bailey^ That period was the worst in my life because I was earning only 50 to 75 rupees a month. And due to malnutrition and other troubles I contracted tuberculosis of both the lungs. I was sent to a sanatorium in Panch- gani—and then' to Dharampur- Simla Hills. I went there and re­ turned to Bombay for my exami­ nations. After my exams I had my own firm with Naval Vakil for a year. They were the worst days. A slump prevailed and a solicitor earned 125 rupees maximum. After a year I joined Mulla and Mulla and I was with them till 1969— then I joined Tatas. Parsiana: married? Vakil: Oh I got married in ’47 or ’48, I’m not sure. When did you get Parsiana'. How many children do you have? Vakil : Two sons. Parsiana: Do you insist that your sons wear the sudra and kusti and marry within the community? Vakil: There are only two articles of faith for the Parsi Community. One is unflinching faith in Jranshah Fire and the other is the sudra-kusti. Only for the reason that it is an emblem of our community. I would like as far as possible that my children should be married in the community, certainly. Parsiana: sist on it? Vakil: I cannot force it. I believe in the principle of democracy com­ pletely. I mean if anybody calls me a reformist then I pity him that is all I can say. I’m a realist by nature and if you face reality, if that is a sign of being a reformist, I have nothing more to say. But you would not to­ THE 1974 PARSIANA CALENDAR THE IDEAL NEW YEAR GIFT better What better way to start the New Year than by giving a friend or a relative a gift subscrip ­ tion to Parsiana along with the 1974 Parsiana Calen ­ dar at no extra charge. Write today to : PARSIANA. Post Box 892, G.P.O. Bombay 400 001 Please send me Parsiana by subscription, at sub ­ stantial savings over the single copy price of Rs. 2, as indicated below : One year Rs. 20 (Save Rs. 4) Two years Rs. 36 (Save Rs. 12) Three Years Rs. 50 (Save Rs. 22) Overseas : £2 or $ 5 or Rs. 25 Air mail £3 or Rs. 56 (U.K. Europe) $ 10 or Rs. 70 (American nent) Please send the above as a gift to : (state name and address). Subscriptions can also be paid to PARSIANA. C/o Alfred Allan Advertising Queen's Mansion. 2nd Floor. (next to Parsi Lying-In Hospital), Bastion Road, Bombay 400-001 Plione : 262624 Conti- 'a Generations of Parsis con ­ tributed their mite to make our country and our comm ­ unity great. To commemo ­ rate these illustrious men, Parsiana has chosen as the subject of its 1974 calendar twelve statues of famous Parsis located in Bombay. • To be printed with dates in English and the names of the rojs in Gujerati and English, the calendar is the ideal way to enlighten young and old of our heritage. •I H of can The calendar is free to sub ­ scribers of Parsiana. Others can obtain the calendar for Rs. 3 by writ- ' Ing to us or by buying it from local shops where it will be on sale. i|i ' I ilc roses forms CLUBWALLA JADHAV when it was still not considered quite proper for a young girl to be seen by the public at large. Unlike Ravi Varma’s customary women, by the public at large. Unlike " said Ms and then we The music was playing in^the ernor’s palace but everyone had “ . " ¦ . " .................................................... ..........., ______ at the young Indian girl who whirl- charms and Rembrandtian skin ...2 ,L_. f tones,- Ms Clubwalla Jadhav’s “At first we did not know another appears a shy young girl, in ........ — a red saree, with a demure white blouse, preparing as the title says, to go out for a walk. At the age of eighteen Ms Club- girlhood to become part of one of pected Parsi families in Madras. glittering ballroom of the ^t>v^ stopped dancing. They all stared j^owever, with their barely hidden <__ J—„ ’ ¦¦¦’ ¦“ ______ _ 2 7___‘ ed around the floor with her hus- ^ones, Ms Clubwalla Jadhav’s band. ‘ why they were staring, Clubwalla Jadhav “and realised that we were the only, In­ dian couple on the floor. You can _ _ ______ imagine how surprised they were Jadhav leVher quiet Nilgiris when for the next dance I calmly gj^jj^ood to become part of one of went on the floor with an English- well-to-do and well res- man.” That was more than two pgg^gj Parsi families in Madras, decades ago. yj^g history of the Parsi community j Madras has changed unrecognis- in Madras is closely linked with the ably since. The steamy splendour progress of this family. Her of the British Raj has evaporated father-in-law was a well-known and given way to the turbulent as- philanthropist who took an active pirations of a new generation of interest in the affairs of the com- Indians. There is no more danc- munity and is remembered for ing at the Governor’s house, but donating the major part of the frequently one of the numerous funds for the Parsi Fire Temple social service groups will organise in Madras, which is called a gala evening of dance and music the “Jal Phiroz Clubwalla Dar­ e-Meher." It is in the commemo­ rative volume of the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the fire temple, that we get a brief description of the wedding of Nogi Phiroz Clubwalla and Mary Rustomji Patel. “There were rejoicings for days together and the entire Parsi community were feasted for four days,” reads admirer. 55 “ Ganesh was about five years and inevitably the focus will once old and Rani was about six. again be on the now familiar figure of Mary Clubwalla Jadhav. There Ganesh with his arms around appears to be no charity ball, fund raising programme or other such his little sister stood before me activity, which can take place with­ out her presence. “She just wills and I said I would take Ganesh people into doing things,” says an admirer. but I did not have a girl ’s home Ms Clubwalla Jadhav was re- the record. After this the happen- covering from a bout of serious ill- ings of the next nine years pass for Rani. Sol would open a ness when we met in the cool all too quickly. These were the seclusion of her house which is, years when the couple enjoyed girl ’s home for Rani. ...” also the headquarters of the numer- great popularity and the young OUS social service activities she Mary found herself raising eye- directs. A well-wisher, one of the brows at the Governor’s Ball. Then leading industrialists in the city, on a trip to Europe Nogi Clubwalla had sent her an outsize bouquet suddenly died of a heart attack. “Il of red roses. " filling the verandah with their frag Anjuman, —— -— - . , - rance. “We were always interested in helping the less fortunate,” she said. “It must have been my mother’s in fluence. She encouraged us to go out and help the needy even when we were quite young so that we never felt that we were doing any­ thing special.” ---- 1— — - been educated in England for many years before she got married and ways easy for a woman to leave is a charming portrait of her at the work, famous Ravi Varma, which accord­ . “It They lay before her was a sad day for the Madras ndah with their frag Anjuman” notes the record, “as. its most promising and beloved member, Nogi Phiroz Clubwalla died at the young age of 31 on his way to Europe.” “I was all alone when he died,” said Ms Clubwalla Jadhav, “I came back to India and it was after this that I started devoting myself to Her mother had social work in earnest. been educated in England for many She admits that it was not al- settled down in the Nilgiris. There her home and go out doing social Iz z z'zzzzzA~~ -zztzzzt cf “In my case ray raother-in- Madras Museum painted by the law was at home to look after my ”'7; '‘Jzzzz.z, zzYAzh z.zz'zz^- son even though she did not al- ing to Ms Clubwalla Jadhav, caus- ways approve of my going out ed a mild stir as it was in the days alone.”Learning how to manage his 1 by Geeta Doctor “I had always wanted to be a now developed into the complex Ms Clubwalla has sought to intro- lawyer,” she recalled, She had this known as Aachen House, which duce a little variety by having it ambition fulfilled by various legal today has three hundred girls and cooked alternately sweet and spicy, appointments. She was nominated epitomizes the happy, friendly, self- But even this food is running out to the Legislative Council in 1946, supporting spirit that Ms Clubwalla due to shortage of supplies from a post she held till last year. She Jadhav has sought to bring into the abroad and the store rooms looked was also one of the first lady lives of abandoned children. pathetically bared. Ms Clubwalla Magistrates in the city and also the Jadhav did not seem unduly wor- first lady Sheriff of Madras. The girls live, work and play ried, however, “We will learn how In 1935 when she was appointed in the large airy buildings border- to manage,” she said. Honorary Presidency Magistrate, ing a bend in the elbow of Learning how to manage his while sitting at the Juvenile Court the river Coomb. There is none of |jggjj ^j^g motivating force for the she had the idea of doing something the dreary monotony that one asso- rgyerse side of Ms Clubwalla for the stream of children who dates with orphanages. Everyone Jadhav’s activities, her capacity were brought up before her. The is at work, in the school, or at the j.^jsg funds to support the vari- first home was started in 1950 with Bakery unit which caters food on Q^g projects she has started. Though nine boys and now has two hun- order, or in the Sewing department, - ti^ere is a continuous drive to col- dred. Soon after it was started, or at the printing press. There is jgg^ funds through the year, the two other children stood before also a section known as “Nutrition most spectacular event is the Inter- her. As Ms Clubwalla describes it, on Wheels” which provides food national Evening which has come “Ganesh was about, five years old for about four thousand children in ^.q |jg g^g of the main social events and Rani was about six. Ganesh the slums every day. Care is taken gf ^-j^g yg^j. Madras. With the with his arms around his little to see that the food served is fresh support of the Governor and his sister stood before me and I said and hot, for their young charges are vvifg government officials, the I would take Ganesh but I did said to be vociferous in their com- diplomatic corps and the leading not have a Girl’s home for Rani, plaints if the food is not up to the industrialists in the City, the even- So I would open a Girl’s home for mark. Certainly to see the grey jng jg ^ot only a success socially. Rani...” And thus to keep a pro- porridge-like substance being dish- financially as well. mise to a small frightened boy, the ed out in great quantities is not Girl’s Home was started. This has likely to whet the appetite, though ! (Continued on page 32, col. 1) With Compliments from SHAPOORJI PALLONJl & CO. PVT. LTD. oonapap K > ^aoPPI K I lappoi ^hoona InPf”® sj^DOflOQ 70, Medows Street, Fort, BOMBAY-400 001 Tel Nos: 311274 - 234262 - 212844 «1 ¦JUaA Iaaaaaaa I K \ IK 01 r 1: I n aopRPOpp 0000 OPO poo0 00a o nooppppp ' k k I < \ V ' \ \ ' < rr 1 t ' K \ \ t ‘ ? on odQ ts P ’ OOP £ c 0 DGon, 0 (\D nao dddqoq aDUDOD anfloao^ joaoD^? aanoat^ aoDpac *1®!F -a ? Interviews by Feroza Paymaster the womarfs child and Q.l per cent h(ui no opinion on the subject. As the battle for equality of changing the present law, 21.1 per the sexes progresses, more and cent Were in favour of admitting more of our ancient laws and tradi­ tions are called into question. Among these rules is the one that Most of these interviews were taken states that a child bom of the at home, while the working part­ union of a Parsi father with an alien mother is considered a Parsi but the off-spring of a Parsi mother 75 per cent were women. In our with an alien father is not. The law survey, six of the seven are either comes further under fire when employed or studying; four are it is noted that an illegitimate child of a Parsi male with an alien woman is also considered a Parsi. Among Does the father or mother impart Jews, however, the custom is the religious knowledge to the child­ reverse. A child is considered ren! Do you feel the man or Jewish only if the mother is a Jew. ner was out of the house. Of the 693 interviews, Axelrod estimates women and three are men. Among the questions we asked were'. the woman transmits more of the genetic or physical treats of Parsi- ness to the child! Do both have it equally! In short is the child We asked the following seven people their views on the subject. They are not a random sampling of a Parsi male and non-Parsi and, therefore, what per cent of the female physically more Parsi or a community is for or against this better Zoroastrian than the child tradition cannot be deduced from of a Parsi female and a non-Parsi the results. However, of a survey male! (A study of genetics reveals of 693 Parsi homes, out of a total that both parents are equally res- of 1,500 conducted by Paul Axelrod, ponsible for the child's make-up. !!.% per cent were opposed to No one sex dominates). <»<» k I Vera M. Bhiwandiwala, 33, Davar's College of Commerce Secretary I “I certainly don’t think it’s fair, is the mother who teaches the child- I Very often a Parsi girl who is ren prayers.” Vera does not believe I devout, would want her children to that the man contains more of the be Zoroastrians. Religion should genetic traits of Parsis. “Lots of I encourage not discourage them, girls married outside the commu- I Ours is the only commimity which nity also have Parsi-lqoking child- I does this. The option should be ren,” she notes. I the individual’s. The custom should When asked about the Jewish I be changed.” • custom she said “Really, I didn’t I The possibility of children be- know that. I guess it’s because I coming Zoroastrians, Vera says, Jewish women are extra conscious I “depends on how devout each of the religion.” Regarding illegi- . parent is. Sometimes a man can timate children becoming Zoroas- 1 be more religious-minded, some- trians Vera said “Yes, I know that, times the woman. Both parents Terribly unfair to the Parsi women, may impart religious knowledge to But they should be allowed. Any- ¦* the children, though very often it body should be allowed.” jf w MB J I ¦ Freny K. Pochkhanawalla, 44, Housewife The custom is right. Since gene- impart Zoroastrian concepts to the rations it has been going on. A children or she can ask the in-laws child should be brought up in the to teach him.’’ father, for it is Ae Regarding the physical traits of 1 _ 1 woman who takes up the religion Parsiness, she says “It depends, of the man, and the children should Sometimes even the influence of IM too- The woman is marrying into the country in which the child SIkI the man s family and she and the lives can be seen, for example, ¦B children should adopt his religion.’’ chinky eyes in Parsi children “Although the father has a say brought up in Tibet or Burma.’’ too, it’s the mother who guides the Regarding the Jewish custom child and teaches the religion,” says she says, “I don’t agree. History J -tl Ms Pochkhanawalla. However, tells us that most children are the brought up in the father’s religion.” children would be better As for illegitimate children, Freny rians. “The children of a feels, “Since the child has been * -----„---------— ---------, -------• one m the Parsi atmosphere of the rest of the parents should take him into of the family. If the mother is a their religion. He can’t be thrown non-Parsi, she can read books and away like that.” J religion of his father, for it is Ae Regarding the physical traits of 1 who takes up the religion Parsiness, she says “It depends, h of the man, and the children should Sometimes even the influence of r 3 too. The woman is marrying into the country in which the child ' the man s family and she and the lives can be seen, for example. Regarding the Jewish custom Ms she strongly feels man’s < ’ " ’ 2Loroastrians. However, tells that Parsi father would be brought up brought into the world, either j Jimmy Behlihomji, 27, Consultant, A. F. Ferguson / ’ “It’s a lot of humbug. Prevents be more concerned with the instil- people from becoming Zoroastrians. lation of spiritual concepts than I It’s also inequitable and in modem the man. But, the children of the J day context should be changed. At male would probably look more like the same time I also feel that the Parsis,” says Jimmy, atmosphere in the home should be considered. Whether it is predo­ minantly Parsi or non-Parsi. If it is the latter, and the children are brought up as Zoroastrians, they wouldn’t fit in.” “I think that imparting religious the ferule,” he says. knowledge should be a dual res- 2^. ilksivnuavt vuuuicu, ponsibility. However, it is usually Jimmy feels “the woman’s children the mother who is closer to the should have the priority to become children, and has more time to do Zoroastrians, over illegitimate child- so, therefore, the Parsi woman’s ren, and until the female’s children -J children would tend to be better are allowed, the illegitimate child- Zoroastrians. The woman would ren should not be.’ I MO B« I ¦ ¦ 8 “The Jews probably have this custom to prevent male Jews from marking out. Females are allow­ ed, in order to get more into the community. However, there should be no prohibition on the male or As for illegitimate children, 9» Zarine Khambatta, 20, Student of Sociology “It’s absolutely ridiculous, since the traits of Parsis: “It’s just an old child is more with the mother, fallacy.’’ Besides, both ways the child is half- Parsi. If the children themselves want to become Zoroastrians I don’t SSf “"5^ nitely the custom should be chang­ ed. We are living in the 197O’s not 189O’s.’’ As the mother imparts religious knowledge to the child- 'S* “*?¦' o' SSieredTy a”(to’raws“a“ is V^ter If broad-minded enough to recognize IS greater if the mother is one. ^nd accept illegitimate chUdren but Zanne does not feel that the not those bom of a Parsi woman in man contains more of the genetic wedlock.’’ The Jewish custom is “very, very As foj, illegitimate sensible, they have our religion when legally bom children (of the woman) are not accepted? I think it’s really unfair. There’s no way to prove that these children have been 23Ruttonshaw D. Mistry, 62, Accountant at Ripon Club, “It is correct. Eminent men must father is a Parsi, the child would have decided on it; why I don’t be more of a Parsi in looks, traits know; however, since the child is and behaviour.” given his name from the father, I feel the custom is quite right and should not be changed.” 7.12- granting that children are mostly is so I have no remarks to make.” in the care of the mother, and it is As for illegitimate children becom- she who imparts religious know- ing Zoroastrians he says, “I didn’t ledge and impresses her views on know this. I feel that these child- the children—the father having no ren should be given the benefit of a time to do so—^Mistry feels the father. It’s not the child’s fault possibility of the children becom- that it was bom in an illegitimate ing Zoroastrians does not depend way. If children born to Parsi on the father or mother but “on the males in wedlock can be taken into child, which religion he or she the religion, without marriage too wants to take up. However, if the it should be possible.” Mistry said he was unaware of While the Jewish custom “but even if that ( J —« Maharukh Irani, 22, Assistant in Sales and Marketing, Taj Mahal Hotel. “I think it’s very wrong, since the woman’s children would tend to be only religion the child learns is better Zoroastrians.” what he’s taught on his mother’s Maharukh feels that the man’s knee. Legally it is sound, since the children would look more like child is named after his father but Parsis. “The man has more of the in practice it doesn’t work. The genetic traits of Parsiness. How- custom should be very much re- ever so far I haven’t known any laxed. Don’t curb the individuality Parsi women married outside, so of women by such customs. It is I can’t say.” ___ __ _ '1' > Regarding the Jewish custom she knowledge. If the father tries he says, “No, I didn’t know that. I won’t succeed since the child’s al- think that’s much more sensible, ways closer to the mother.” The I’m not saying it’s perfect though.” possibility of children becoming Maharukh said she “was not Zoroastrians however, “depends on aware” that illegitimate children of the inclinations of the family. The Parsi males could become Zoroas- father or the mother, depending on trians and said “why not let them who is more devout, would influ- come into the religion, since it was ence the children. However, the no fault Of theirs.” I ,_,\ 01 women oy sucn customs, it is , the mother who imparts religious ! ImrhTArl A/4rVA Tf ¦fafVlAl* i’riAC llA ! M I Jamshed Doctor, 19, Student, Khalsa College I “This is a little absurd. It gives her influence is greater. A non- I the male superiority and that is Parsi mother would not believe in I wrong. Overemphasizes the male’s or be enthusiastic about Zoroas- I importance in society. The woman trianism and would not be able to- I should also have the right to bring impart it.” I up the children as Zoroastrians if Jamshed does not feel that the I the husband doesn’t mind. The physical traits of Parsis are depend- I custom should be changed, because ent on the father. “It depends, I everybody has the right to believe some children look like their I in their concept of God. fathers, others like their mothers. I “I guess it’s the mother who’s I didn’t know about the^ Jewish I near the child, takes care of him custom. I feel there shomdn t be I and imparts religious knowledge a law as such. It should be by I to him,” says Jamshed. “The mutual consent. I father’s the busy man in the family. “Illegitimate children are also 1 It is the woman’s child who will children of God. They have a ;. be a better Zoroastrian. Since the right to religion and nobody should mother’s always with the child, stop them.” J 1 i i 24 JOF MEN ii I AND MARBLE BY MANJULA PADMANABHAN It is most disconcerting to glance time in marble and looking as un- rest are remembered for their casually in the direction of a bush comfortable as ever amidst assort- philanthropy and good works, and meet lhe stony regard of Sir ed cobwebs and pigeon droppings. Also, notably, there are no women. Jamshedji Jejeebhoy. While tracking It might be thought that statues a rather unusual state of affairs down the statues of famous Parsis are a fairly indistinguishable species, considering that Parsi women are for the 1974 Parsiana calendar, it but nothing can be becomes increasingly obvious f^om the truth. Each statue bears that Bombay’s statua^, suff^ from ^be stamp of his character and out from leafy nooks and glower- Mehta in his dramatic stance, with i with his awkwardly folded hands to Adenwalla who poses almost casu- they are portraits of men of great ’— , "7" r------ ! and individual Tata s imposing archange. charm, qualities which endure even in bronze and marble. One distinct advantage in draw- to be satisfied with a portrait further colourful as their men. A statue is incapable of twitching . . — ------r — — ----------- or fidgeting, making it the ideal some sort of stage-fright. Peering time. There is Sir Phirozshah model. This and the fact, that they out from leafy nooks and glower- Mehta in his dramatic stance, with are usually carved with their fea- ing in dusty comers, they stand in bis voluminous cloak billowing out tures slightly exaggerated make sharp contrast to statues in cities ajyj bis hands gesturing eloquently, them a great improvement over such as Madras, where they all but There is Tata seated sedately their human counterparts. There blot out the scenery. Hence it was enough but with a tall and impos- are some disadvantages, however, with some misgivings that I set jjyg archangel standing guard over Some figures are placed so far out to immortalize twelve great bim and on either hand a figure to above the madding crowds that to men on paper. represent the fruit of his life’s draw them from any reasonable dis- Thp immediate nroblem was to labour. There is the ‘Ubbo Parsi’, tance means one has to look up at locate them. Having distinguished (so called for his straight forward- them from between their toes; or myself by not being able to name «««), y^o stands serenely upright else sit on the upper deck of a bus one we scoured the public places of above the crowds at Byculla and pray for a red traffic light to Bombay for statues of Parsis. This Bndge. From V mm" Hiiq4i>i muMI u'. »»• MiO rtMiM bO Mif Mia toBTM rater ----------------- --------- — HU'tima* ^iiei 285 Jr Dadajee' «agg---- —-------------------------- Bombay /nO-Onj 0 HI 4 W’li Mta’ u’. Mi^i H*t|i Ban6ation ' ---------------- ------- - 8 Mil ti*ia «Wi«® fli«bM •flaifl* d— ntf 4m Ml IWHH 4«(|, MU' •«»« Ml MI>1»1»1 ‘ is9»a ‘ wt. » >u6& r-^e 4^^ZOROASTRIAN FINANCE CORPORATION By Dr. P. B. Warden Founder Editor of Parsiana As a tradition-bound group of fit into the big money units as exe- phere has to be socially congenial . people, faulty traditions have ham- cutives of assistants awaiting their and psychologically satisfying. Each pered our economic growth. We turn to be executives. Lest we be community has a distinctly separate have ceased to grow along many here carried away by an idea that thought content of its own. Wher- lines of employment because we stability in life is determinable by ever a majority community member look down upon them, the magnitude of investment we goes he has at least a closely allied Unemployment is a perilous psy- must utter a word of caution. The environment with some common chological condition for the simple success of a venture depends on interests. Parsi youths suddenly reason that personal deterioration proper and honest management, find themselves deprived of all these ' sets in the unemployed after an Prof. Colin Clark, a noted economist factors. Re-orientation takes a long average of two years of workless has said “over-emphasis on invest- time. Alienation is disturbing to days. The capable person slowly ment may, under certain circum- members of once united and happy degenerates until he becomes un- stances, cause more damage than families, A Parsi is generally employable. good. There is an optimum ratio extroverted. Hence his environment From begging as a part time between utilizable funds and idle has to be congenial to him. An occupation to laziness as full time funds.” In the case of the Parsis introvert is happy with his own pleasure degenerate souls discover we have about 1,250 charity funds self. Some historians have attri- in parasitism a way of life and with an aggregate total of 35 crores buted the expansion of the British stick to it, with sharp practices and and total yearly income of Empire to the characteristic Bri- formulas for entrapping Good Rs. 4,000,000. They need analysis, tish trait of living happily all by Samaritans. How to convert the idle invest- themselves away from home and They are happy in their way and ment to utilizable investment, is family; for what was then consi- resist any change. A few years the business of the trustees, the dered the lofty ideal of maintain- back Dr. Perin Cabinetmaker of Charity Commissioner and the ing or building an Empire. Parsi Bombay University gave a lecture court. But our urgent need is youths have no such aspiration, in which she pointed out that our capital, distinct from charity, for Their aspiration is limited to a pay community received no leadership revitalising our able bodied per- envelope each month. during fast changing times. So we sons from between 20 and 45 years Mr Jehangir Shroff’s idea of a were unable to comprehend the of age with zest for improving their Zoroastrian Finance Corporation changes. Not only do we lack own lot. may serve as the Blue Print of a leaders but also the willingness to In a BrainTrust meetings a new prosperity chart. We do have seek or accept anyone as a leader speaker casually expressed his a Zoroastrian Co-operative Credit (that can however be overcome to opinion that our young people do Bank. But a bank cannot trade, some extent, by accepting the lead not want to work. Are people It can only advance money. Total without following it). She further really lazy? What made them lazy? responsibility remains on borrowers pointed out that the disparity be- Was it the result of too long a and on guarantors. People have tween our social strata is well- period of unemployment? Decay on several occasions in the past marked, because our lower income in work means a decay in interest, suggested that the Parsi Panchayat • group is fertile and our upper in- Once the young people begin to be- should buy an industry specifically come group sterile, fighting their lieve that “every activity is a re- mentioned was a textile mill—and life out in goal of an undefinable creation” then there is no stopping employ Parsis therein. But our objective called the standard of life. them. It is the duty of the senior Panchayat is a charity trust and as The reason for the downfall of members of the community to help such cannot trade or run an indus- many people is inflation, social in- the youth to develop recreational try. It must only serve the com- justice, shortages and lack of attitudes to work before fatigue munity. We must now look else- growth of industrial and commer- sets in by ennui. where the best alternative being cial aptitudes, parallel with similar Another speaker of the Brain the Zoroastrian Finance Corpora- advances in other communities. Trust said that our young people tion with a capital of 30 to 50 lakhs. They come from the hard kernel do not want to leave Bombay. It is Let us discover for our own of society, namely, people between assumed that leaving Bombay is new avenues, new ideas, new out- 20 and 45 years of age who consti- tantamount to improving prospects, lets and a new set of able men like tute 50 per cent of the total of To a person who leaves his home Messrs. Jehangir Shroff, Cooverji 75,0(X) Parsis in Bombay. Most a change of place must be econo- Bhabha, Shiavax Vakil, Dr. Freddy of them find their own capital or mically profitable, the new atmos- {Continued on page 32, col. 3)The Voice of Orthodoxy. Jehangir Sorabji Chiniwala be­ longed to one of the families of Surat deeply concerned with their religious well-being. In their early receptive years there came a new guru, Behramshah Nowroji Shroff, who brought with him fresh vita­ lity and a new outlook for Zoroas­ trianism in explanation of its long forgotten Esoteric Philosophy— lime Kshnum. f Jehangirji and his elder brother Dr. Framroze caught the spark. The mission gained converts with the first series of public lectures by Ustad Saheb Behramshah on 12 varieties of fire in Zoroastrianism, something unheard of or little understood prior to these lectures. A general impression was registered on the minds of many religiously new knowledge and forestalling and inclined Parsis of the day that just checkmating all movements likely ordinary translation of Avestan and to prove detrimental under the Pahlavi books of our religion did guise of reform. He had unflinch- not impart the deeper meaning of ing faith that his newspaper had the our prayers for followers to grasp blessings of his Ustad. He bore the and absorb their essence. brunt of the financial losses by him- Of the two brothers. Dr. Fram- self. He was much more than a roze the elder one, left a land-mark ’ He was, a devotee to the of his personal regeneration in the philosophy of his master. He at- form of most important and learn- tfacted to him a large crowd of be- ed works Nikize Vehedi and other iievers through the media of his writings, which are the standard niagazine and the rhetoric of his texts, and stand testimony to his sonorous voice. In all struggles profound grasp of the theory, theo- principles he emerged a trium- logy and thoroughness of the Phant Rathestar (warrior) in de­ themes of Behramshah. fence of unchangeable orthodoxy. What the elder brother did by He looked upon Sudreh and writing and publishing the basic Kusti. not only as symbols of Par­ texts, the younger brother com- seeism but more as instruments pleted as propagandist of the faith with which Parseeism could be by his oratory and knowledge of worked up. The Philosophy of ancient languages. To continue Muktad, practicality of Dokhme- the mission of his Guru he started nashini and the specific influence • He at- Jl iiiuou i*.* ktxxxx- tracted to him a large crowd of be- ed works Nikize Vehedi and other lievers, through the media of his In all struggles ancient languages. a weekly newspaper Parsi Avaz of Mathraivani as effective vibra- (Parsi Voice) and ran it for 27 tions of our prayers, were to him years almost single-handedly as its actual and realistic as any con- Publisher and Editor until his Crete objects of choice for one’s health failed about three months own good and the good of the before he expired. To Jehangirji, community. He explained in lucid conscious compulsion of duty to i^g the rituals and equally minute fulfil Ustad Saheb’s prediction that collective effects of them on the after him will come a newspaper niind and the soul of believers, that will carry on his mission. Ustad With conviction and the guidance Saheb had forecast opposition to ®f his own Kuridali (astrological his teachings. It was to counter all chart) he lived his life. He was a such movements that Jehangirji highly respected scholar of com- established Avaz and successfully parative religion and astrology, carried out both the objectives of equally at ease as an advocate and his Guru, viz., the propagation of Parsi Avaz was not a choice but a terms the minutiae of laws govern- (Continued on page 32, col. 2) • JEENA & COMPANY (ESTD. 1900) IATA AIR. CARGO Clearing, Forwarding Warehousing and Insurance Agents . 10, Veer Nariman Road Fort, BOMBAY-1 Cable: “Justitia ” Telex: 2313 PHONE: 258413 Branches : E. Merc House 19/B, Shakespeare Sarani (Formerly Theatre Road) CALCUTTA-16 PHONE: 444711 , “Jeena House, ” 50, Hanuman Road Connaught Circus NEW DELHI PHONE: 310821 295 DHUN'S DISPLAY A STROKE OF BRAVADO context would appear weak and in­ sipid—tree shapes in black with tentacular roots and leafless bran­ ches—but which, floating against the startling intensity of her vivid backgrounds, acquire a particular relevance and individuality of their own. Of the rest it would perhaps be unfair to lump them under one category and classify them all as imremarkable. To be sure a paint­ ing like the one entitled “Dawn” vaguely reminiscent of past achievements in the same genre, appears to be no more than an arty mingling of greys and blues signi­ fying precisely nothing. In con­ trast Paintings No. 3 and No. 12 arrest us by a certain boldness in the composition. In Painting No. 3 , for example one gets the feeling of The Taj Art Gallery is not un- ously this was going to be a per- movement, as though atoms like a morgue. There is an atrno- formance that did not need much matter or heavenly bodies are sphere of hushed silence which dialogue. hurtling through space and collid- compels the visitor to freeze pQj. first timer Dhun Sachdev mg with each other. It is an ambi- into sombre attention the moment makes a surprisingly strong impact tious work. Yet at some point he enters it from the bright tumult jjy uninhibited use of colour the artist seems to lose her initial of the world outside. The works and. bold execution. Tackling vision and resorts to facile im- of art are neatly layed out in cold fairly large canvases, her repertoire provisations with colour, clinical slabs of light, while eulo- consists of two main themes, one gic commentaries line the front twilight region of vast mysteri- panel like obituary notices. The ___ ; ____ — ’ artist has the option of mingling rock-like shapes, the other a wood- among the onlookers in the manner gj landscape verging on the border of a discreet undertaker or of sit- Qf surrealism. There is also a ting mummified in a corner con- determined attempt to have a bash at the cubist credo in two works entitled, “Summer” and “Winter” which with its laboriously executed r-- - of Painting No. 12 entitled, “Sun- - , T J 2, - J scape”, strikes a bold stance in the spaces with solid forms and form with a spherical orange shape and other astral figures float­ ing against a background of in­ determinate hue. Quite apart from secHted for the purpose. at the^cubist credo in wo works tj' 1“'’wen’hav’? lS“m uSp Under these circumstances Dhun entitled. Summer and Winter scene as a representation of Sachdev no doubt found that her which with its laboriously execute cosmos, the artist has found histrionic abilities greatly assisted it necessary to trail a few frag- her m the performance of her first draped in her corner, she looked C- r-- ____ _ ‘ ____ completely sure of herself and her colour which not only serves to black tree trunks they are no doubt productions. Was she nervous or kindle some of the better can- useful but they do detract from the excited at the thought of her first vases but helps to disguise the solid realities of the composition. <_________ ____ - day,” she conceded, “but not any- Painting No. 5 for example a the other canvases clearly appear more”. 7.‘_ ~ \ ’ J ’ "" "C " anyone? “No”. Did she prepare liant emerald green in a Gaugui- a rough sketch before proceeding nesque setting. The composition onto the canvas? “No”. Were her has all the freshness of spontaneous use of colours influenced by the expression and yet reveals a well work of Param jit Singh whose controlled sense of colour. In these choice of colours show a striking landscapes one frequently comes similarity to hers? “No.” Obvi- across a form which in any other to the artist’s aspirations than to her realization of them. Undoubtedly Dhun Sachdev’s to be trailing clouds? Or seaweed? ments of white paint here and there like bits of lace, of are they meant artistic venture. Sitting elegantly draped in her corner, she looked . _ ___ ______ ________ the part—a serious young artist forte lies in her vibrant use of As a decorative device, like the completely sure of herself and her colour which not only serves to black tree trunks they are no doubt productions. Was she nervous or kindle some of the better can- useful but they do detract from the excited at the thought of her first vases but helps to disguise the solid realities of the composition, exhibition? “Perhaps on the first weaknesses of the lessef ones. In The brushwofk here as in some of —2-2, ---------- ¦ _ • Was she influenced by bright red is used against a bril- to be the work of an amateur. Painting to Dhun Sachdev does not seem to be more than an ele­ gant diversion. It leads one to wonder in the manner of Kiplings Devil, “It’s pretty, but is it art?” —Geeta Doctor. on 1 s 1 ’1 3NOT FOR MYOPICS #¦ 1; I paintings that they resolved them- in the female form? selves into a series of distorted When, I met him later, I was fore- nudes in various positions like so ed to rapidly abandon any visions many lumps of wet flour. At that i might have had for a long haired, point you had better know your existentialist, woman hater. For eyes disease well, otherwise you Micky is a very normal looking, might diagnose yourself as being apologic young man who blinks a ordinary calling of a commercial artist with an ad agency in Delhi. As I visualized him, surrounded When, I met him later, I was forc- » 5^' many lumps of wet flour. At that i might have had for a long haired, r : ’ " ’ _________________ :____ eX®s^^ disease well, otherwise^ you Micky is a very normal looking, astigmatic as well. The smudgy and dotted effect of the pictures, as I was told by a young male attendant, who des­ cribed himself as a “painter,” is by images of those pretty young achieved by smearing a piece of advertising models imbibing the hardboard or wood with printing latest beverage down unsullied ink. The artist then lays a paper Hps or applying a new mascara on it and with a blunt instrument, to lately blossomed eyelashes; it presses down on those areas which was then that a theory popped into are to be covered. The pressure place. Micky’s spare time art forces the reverse of the paper to was an escape from the tidy world pick up the ink at the appropriate ®f his profession with its clean places and lines. By pressing down Unes and its nubile pretty girl on dryer ink, grey tones are niodels, where flesh is taut and gravity hath not yet taken its toll, dill iiicii- Returning to the pictures, for a After the hushed and sterile ment' *to”^such * a* t^nign * layinan second closer look, a good few of atmosphere of Bombay’s better j ’j j cVptrhpq them indeed had a repetitive known art galleries, whose timid indeed,^ for the hall they were too that of a woman with her visitors imagine that aesthetic g^j^g thirty odd although it hands entwined around her head, appreciation can only flow from |jg admitted that a handful Some, which were not nudes had an oppressive silence, a visit to qj ^.j^g |jgg^ already gone to satirical overtones. These showed Artists Centre restores one’s faith ^.j^g usual clients For ^a Rs 40 military figure, fully dressed in the basic connection between day gallery it must have a good medals except for his bare art and ordinary living. There is mailing^ list- for as a hand- no charming hostess to greet you, notice on the wall said discovered Micky is also an no buffets of airconditioned air, gyg g^jes had been made to not- occasional cartoonist for certain only a^ scruffy liftman motioning able customers like Air-India. magazines. you lethargically to the first floor. Smudgy and distorted sketches, as these were, can often be a screen for lack of ability, but Micky’s talent is obvious especially in his good compositional sense. If one left the exhibition with a half satisfied feeling it was only be­ cause the exhibits were too few and limited in scope. As you leave Artists Centre achieved. I thanked him for enlighten­ ment. to such a benign layman art galleries, whose timid the hall they Many-steps along a dark stairway, Most of the sketches were right around the lift and right m various attitudes, seated again; and there you are. A large ^edining, doubled over. Gnarled hall with chipped paint and a few grotesque, their flesh hung sofas that have seen better days, morose and pendulous. In the in the centre. “Why!” you ex- tradition of Toulouse-Lautrec, the claim: “This is nothing more than artist seenied to have made an ex- the first floor of an old office F|bratory foray into the aesthetics ¦ . True, there were a few exceptions, as in a fine por­ trayal of the bust of a young ^“d grope your way down the woman, but even there she was stairway, there is no sudden change a hundred a day, it provides an .''“u ™ • - ing. Many of the subjects had return r their limbs thalidomide shortened. There is only the quiet dusk of you ex- claim: “This is nothing more than building at Rampart Row!” Indeed that it is. And for many an aspiring young artist who can scarcely wait two years or pay over a^huiiurcd a day, it provides an . Many bf the’subie^^^^^ return to reality outside, adequate display space. limb7 thalidomide sKeuei Here is only the quiet dusk of an As i entered the hall, the pic- Micky must take credit for his ®^^®^'°®ce-hours Ranipart Row, tures appeared no more than ability to on eh. black and w^ite blobs. Micky and the inexorable pull of gm- Steady asleep in various attitudes, Patel’s art is not for myopics. It vity. I wondered about *1.0 was only after I had advanced artist. What sort of a young man cautiously upto two feet of the was this? Did he not take pleasure Many of the subjects had I portray tired flesh, ®ri the sidewalk tired humanity strangely remniscent of the im­ agery portrayed above. Farok Contractoras •0* T fro^ page 21) X" SS Vbe^S “For the International Evening, Tadhav It was a very happy was in his sympathetic vibrations. Ms Clubwalla has more than a 100 - t^o^gh at first some eye- He shall survive in Kshnum. ladies working for her. Can any of ^aised at her for marry- Warden youv Bombay organisations boast community. Early of such a number? challenged one . & . t .ji— --------- zi lady. Ms Clubwalla Jadhav has devoted band of workers. void by getting involved with more • “Ms Clubwalla Jadhav is more t^ere was a wistful note in interested in working for,^ other g^g talked of her only communities than her own,” com- l _ _ mented one outspokenly conserva- married. Though she has many ' ndRus ' tive Parsi lady. . It was rather an ^^ua^en to whom she is more than Naval (^^hjoshtr a^nd ^Rum extraordinary remark to make, tor mother, she voiced a simple de- p„„_: pir R Ms clubwalla Jadhav’s active sup- “I long to have a grand- Webhoy, Nosta Pavrg Dj^R. port and participation in the attairs child around me. of the Parsi community are plainly to be seen in the accounts of the Golden Jubilee volume. It is, how­ ever, t--- ----- --- —-------------- X is more to humanity as a whole public institutions, than to any special part of it, a fact which was recognized by the „„ ----------- International Council of bociai Pahlavi Pazand and the welfare last year when it choose pgj.gian languages was thorough her as the first recipient of an .. .. . xi award for outstanding contribu­ tions in the field of social service. Speaking about herself, Ms Club- walla Jadhav said, “I have a great ™ "¦x ‘jej Mr.' Ratah'Pochkhanawala use love for music for which I unfor- “‘^“SenSlI "nd other the expertise he gained in the Bom- tunately do not have enough time. , - su^iect he was on bay Small Scale Industries Finance I am fond of good company, emer- letarK on^this sub|e^tne Wiive^_ corporation. This list is not a She’afso deLFbed £wTafter e!^- ing lectures on Kme-fotanm Ubulation it is a tentative reminder. she married Major Chandrakanth trianism) he was K. Jadhav. It was a very happy was - - marriage though at first some eye- I— brows were raised at her for marry­ ing out of the community. Early last year Major Jadhav passed r„“died iuU^ up a "h^ (Courtuued from page 28) Mehta, Engineer (P V C), Minoo Polson, Pesi Nargolwala, Jimmy Guzdar, Noble of Noble Paints, ViAr hnnp“m by t V 1 ¦ 1