Sep 1984

September 1984, Volume 7 No 3, Rs. 2 1 f The democratization of the CER • 'T The Committee for Electoral Rights attempts to once again woo public support. Arnavaz S Mama The Committee for Electoral Rights will enroll members and hold elections for office bearers, states the Bombay based party’s new president, Dadi Engineer. The three-year-old informal association of like-minded people, which successfully fought the 1981 Bombay ..»Parsi Punchayet Anjuman Committefe elections and this June suf ­ fered an electoral setback, will be shortly registering itself as a society under the Societies Registration Act. A noted lawyer and former vice- president of the CER, Engineer takes oyer the mantle of leadership from CER founder-president and BPP trus­ tee Jamsheed Kanga who, due tn his professional workload as well as trus- teeship responsibilities, stepped down in September this year. As a leader of ^R, Kanga also had to share the director of Tata Housing and a vice- “^»sibihty for the CER candidate president of the CER, will he thp ^air- defeat against noted tax man of the CER managi^ committee, be an uphill task (bmH wmit fo BPP h^eJlT* J""® fonnfcr yiee-presi- people see the GER huforrectpenpee^ u Matrimonial Widow, 39, working in the US, financially secure, children 11 and 7, seeks correspondence with a Parsi, 40 - 50, of liberal views, a capacity to be a good father and husband, and com­ fortably off in the US. Write The Aaverti.ser, (Matrimonial USA), GPO Sox 892, Bombay 400 001. Tal-lnwrconttn«Ai«l HotH — Bombay OSi t* r 0; rf M' Gifts& The Friendly Gift Shop for handicrafts, festive gifts and Zoroastrian artefacts Bombay Swadeshi Stores Ltd . Sir P.M. Road, Bombay 400 001 Tel: 253443 & 252730 LET’S BUILD THEM TOGETHER! 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LTD. r ' 3 Parsiana Septambar 19B4 II i ) The priestly dilemma A High Priest critically analyzes the ills facing the priesthood Kaikhusroo M JamaspAsa High Priest, the Zarthoshti Anjuman Atas Bahrain i In the 1000 years that have elapsed its activities and even fewer the op- ment. Even then the M F Cama since we P^Vsis came to India, we seem portunity to imbibe learning from its Athornan Institute at Andheri in to be speeding to our destruction faster treasure-house. The Moola Feroz and Bombay, which trains candidates for than even during the darker periods of the Sir J J Zarthoshti Madressas in the priesthood, closed down the SSC our history. The community is being Bombay run classes in Old Iranian course in 1977. At this Madressa train- destroyed by moral and spiritual deca- languages — Avesta, Old Persian, ing in the priestly profession was pro- dence. The virtues for which our Middle Persian and Pazand — for all vided along with the regular SSC cur- forefathers were once celebrated are those interested in them, and have riculum and every encouragement was fast dissipating. The Parsi individual been doing so for more than 100 years, given to pursue further studies. Un- somehow seems to be lost in the mass The classes are conducted free of cost fortunately, the Managing Committee society. Indifference, the worst ailment from the assets of the Moola Feroz of the Madressa suddenly decided to of all, has afflicted us, and the voices of Madressa and the funds provided by scrap this facility and when two of its the handful who profess to show some Lady Avabai, wife of the first Sir members objected to the ill-advised concern and anxiety are stifled in the Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy, and incentives by scheme, they met with hostility and had morass of reports, committees, con- way of scholarships and gold medals to resign their office. Thus the aspira- gresses and federations, incapable of are provided, but both the Madressas tion of the late Sheth Meherwanji decisive action. can boast of only a small number of Muncherji Cama who donated a muni- Sotne years ago, a far-sighted west- students from the elementary to the ficent sum of Rs 25.00,000 to present * em scholar of Zoroastrianism had post-graduate level. Obviously then the community with well-trained. ’ warned: ‘No priest, no Parsi! ’To-day, the community cannot complain of lack learned priests, will now remain un- when the warning is fast becoming a of opportunities to learn about its reli- realized. The new scheme led to a reality, those who are regarded as gion. The actual malady that is pla- drastic drop in the number of students ‘Akabars ’ of the community, sporadi- guing the community seems to be from 40 to nine. At present there are cally display their insistence that ‘some- lethargic indifference . only five students housed in its palatial thing ’ should be done. Certainly, shel- For centuries, religious education building. And while a few co mmuni ty ter, food and clothing are indispensable has been a priestly preserve. Yet to- members advocate selling the property for the physical well-being of the indi- day, priests who are well-versed in the to build houses for the community, the vidual, but, in pursuit of these, to what ancient Iranian languages and trustees of the Institute are complacent extent can one ignore one ’s moral and scriptures, doctrine, and the signifi- and nonchalant that all is well at the spiritual upliftment? cance of rituals can probably be Institute! One can say without fear of contra- counted on the fingers of one hand. It is a painful admission to make, but diction that the average Parsi Zoroas- And from the current trend, one it is very unlikely that the community trian to-day knows very little about his foresees that within the next quarter of will ever produce priests of the calibre or her spiritual heritage — its culture, a century, the number will dwindle still of the Meherji Ranas and the Sanjanas history and traditions — educated and further. The Athornan Boarding of old, leave aside those like Adurbad brought up as one is in an acquisitive, Madressa at Dadar in Bombay which Mahraspand, an exponent of Zoroas- material and secular environment. But, trains candidates for the priesthood trian orthodoxy during the Sasanian one who is sincerely interested in gain- provides all facilities for the education, times, who underwent the ordeal of ing knowledge about Zoroastrianism boarding and lodging of its students; molten metal and emerged unscathed cannot say that facilities have not been still it has only a handful of students and to prove the excellence of Zoroastria- provided. The world ’s best collection it is very doubtful whether any of them nism in the eyes of his opponents. The of books on Zoroastrianism are housed will take up the profession for which dedicated, sincere and hard-working in the library of the K R Cama Oriental they are painstakingly trained by its de- priest seems to be an individual of the Institute in Bombay and the First dicated principal and staff. past. Dastur Meherji Rana Library in It is imperative that priests educate In most religions when a man dedi- Navsari. Yet. the Cama Oriental Insti- themselves. We all realize that gradua- cates himself or herself to God, he or tute has only about 200 members of tion is the minimum qualification re- which hardly a few take any interest in quired to-day for most types of employ- one has to take vows of celibacy and she has to renounce the world; in some. 4 Parsiana September 1984 ftest of a good man — that he advances of would-be priests. From their infancy J j ? i ! It is tragic that to-day's priest has to be bribed with promises of monetary gain in order to make his duties seem attractive to him. It forsake the pursuit of worldly things, made now. The elders of the commun- ing forth unintelligent reiterations Religions which demand such stringent ity along with those in charge of religi- about freedom of choice, reincama- codes of conduct from their priests find ous institutions should take it upon tion. Law of Karma, proselytism and men of dedication who are content with themselves to inculcate in the sons of the mode of disposal of the dead. Parsis their lot and eager to serve God. priests the usefulness and importance in .secular positions of prominence in Zoroastrianism, on the other hand, of the profession, and the urgent need the country, but with absolutely no does not advocate any renunciation of to continue the tradition in the family, knowledge of the religion, become au- the world, nor does it advocate a celi- They must be made aware of the rich thorities on it, which for them consists bate life. In fact it is incumbent on the heritage of their religion so that they only of the Gathas. Others try to in- Zoroastrian priest to marry and have may be able to uphold it with faith and terpret the scriptures with their fanciful children. He must live a full life in this pride. Like all problems, the solution theories. In such inane din, the voices world and still keep himself above of the priestly dilemma lies at the roots, of those who know something about worldly temptations. That is the true The roots are the potential generation the religion become dim. test of a good man — that he advances of would-be priests. From their infancy The higher echelon of the priest- his spiritual progress while living they must be made to realize the im- hood, the Dasturs, have been criticized among the denizens of the world. We do not expect our priests to sur- I vive on spiritual sustenance alone — I like all human beings they need the bare necessities of life; over and above, they yearn for respect and understand ­ ing; but white they expect the commun- k ity to provide for their physical well­ being, there does not seem to be a cor ­ responding willingness amongst them to provide the community with a class of priests that are devoted, skillful and zealous to promote the knowledge of the religion among the laity. portance of the role they ought to play, by some as beiri^ indifferent to the Scheme formulators have little A sense of responsibility and dedica- plight of their fellow priests. This is an awareness of the grim situation facing tion towards it must be impressed upon unwarranted and unjust accusation, the community at present, especially them. They must be made to com- Whenever the Dasturs have been ap- where boi^valas of Atash Bahrams are prehend the dignity and sanctity of the proached for any sort of help or advice, concerned. Whatever may be their priesthood. it has been given and whatever aid lies academic qualifications, priests of this In the days of the Zoroastrian within their powers has been unstint ­ class are well-versed and fully qualified empires in Iran, the priest was a valued ingly extended to the priests. But be- in the intricacies of the rituals, their advisor and guide to the king, in most cause such services are not publicised mental training is quite unique in that cases second only to the Prime Minis- through the Parsi media, the laity feels they know almost the entire Avesta by ter, or very often the Prime Minister that the Dasturs are unconcerned ab- rote and have a discipline befitting their himself. He gave guidance not just in out their fellow priests. higher spiritual status. Contrary to the spiritual affairs but also in secular acti- If the laity wants an educated and general belief, they earn reasonably vities.-Many functions were embodied dedicated band of priests in the future, well. Evidently then, it is not a lack of in him. He was a religious scholar, it is for them to encourage the younger monetary incentive that is a deterrent astrologer, astronomer, mathemati- generation of the priestly class to take but a more deeply rooted spiritual de- cian, medicine man, but above all, the up the profession and to reinstate the cadence. It is becoming increasingly upholder of the religion. In the last few profession with dignity and respect, difficult to find a priest of this calibre centuries, almost till the last few And if the laity shows its eagerness to who is willing to perform the higher decades, priests earned their livelihood learn about the. religion and acquire liturgical ceremonies as these require practicing some cottage industry along some knowledge about the ceremonies concentration, dedication and stamina, with their priestly duties. Some labori- being performed, it will be incumbent And these ceremonies are vital for the ously copied old manuscripts without on the priests to perform them with very foundation of Zoroastrianism, charge, preserving them for posterity, more dedication, vigilance and consci- Steps should be taken immediately to others attempted translations of them, entiousness, augment this class of priests without They thus maintained their ritual purity It will be incorrect to surmise that whom grave consequences will face the and kept their dignity. It is tragic that nothing has been done in the past to community in the very near future. to-day ’s priest has to be bribed with elevate the lot ofthe priesthood. There The western method of education, promises of monetary gain in order to are funds like the Bhagarsath Amelio- secularism, the present materialistic make his duties seem attractive to ration Fund which has been looking trend coupled with the loss of dignity him. after the educational and, medical has made inroads in the priestly profes- While the laity claims that priests are facilities of the Bhagaria priests and sion also. To counterpoise these malig- inadequately conversant in matters re- their families in Bombay. This fund has nancies, the priests themselves will ligious, the laity is even more so. Yet, extended its facilities now to priests of have to strive and a beginning has to be voices are heard from the latter spew- continued on page 11 i J rote and have a discipline befitting their himself. He gave guidance not just in out their fellow priests, higher spiritual status. Contrary to the spiritual affairs but also in secular acti- 1" \ S Pmiana SeptarrAer 1984p 1 I 1 * ! Viewed objectively and without any aim at flattery, the Parsi community, which once held a proud position among our sister communities, is now a drifting vessel. In order to bring it on even keel, we have to look for solutions to certain problems, to look ahead at what the future holds for us in a fast changing world. No amount of gimmicks such as indulged in by a group of youngsters or A dumb flock sans shepherd Former BPP Chairman B K Boman-Behram sees a bleak future for the community. el Creation and maintenance of links environment. - • - . . -tj:— Our community IS fast becoming, or rather has become a community of white collar job-seekers. The out ­ come is that, being unable to face > sliding into poverty as testified by the condition of the lower middle and poor with the Parsi Zoroastrians residing abroad; f) Dwindling numbers of the commu- “7shall not venture within the ambit severe of a Short article to outline the scope and magnitude or even to touch the ... ,. fringe of those problems. Unless classes and the increase of beggary, studied in depth, they are likely to land of enternnse us in familiar commonplace, or in uncommon fantasies to which not a few The loss of the^pirit of enterprise has brought with it the loss of self-respect and self-reliance. Charity abounds among the Parsis and more and more Parsis are not ashamed to lean upon not a grandiose plan of a fourth World uncommon fantasies to wtiicn not a lew Zoroastrian Congress sponsored by Parsis are prone. zxjroasman v.ong h There are, however, two aspects . connected with those problems which charity for their existence. That need to be dwelt upon and can never be so some decades ago . over-stressed. The material or economic decline of ---------------- the community is largely owing to the shops ” manned by Parsis and Euro- ^ntemrise. Can we peans. Where are the Parsi traders and some of our shrewd elders for their own ends or to divert attention from the real problems facing the community, can inspire us with hope of a better future. One handicap to our future progress is the tendency to rake up old, moth- eaten issues with a great deal of fan ­ fare , accompanied by the drum-beats of imagine a section of the Parsi press . Such issues — are, for example, the reco^ition of Parsi females wedded to alien males with a view to admit them to fire-tem ­ ples and other religious or social institutions, or the admission into our More and more Parsis fold of the children of Parsi mothers by non Parsi fathers,or the adoption of other systems of the disposal of the dead,or the most controversial of all — conversion. Such issues do not today stir the community at large. The problems which demand but seem to defy solution may be briefly defined as: a) Economic betterment of the com ­ munity; b) Amelioration of the priestly class; c) Religious education and harnessing of the talents and energy of the youth of the community for promotion of indi ­ vidual and collective welfare ; d) Participation in public life of the country; There was a time when the entire Medows Street was lined with “Europe loss of spirit of enterprise. Can we peans : ; or expect that from our mod ­ em Parsi youth will arise a Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy who actually hawked empty bottles and made 10 hazardous voyages overseas in the past century to amass a the Parsi shops ? If the community is to be saved from the present economic morass, then the Parsi job-seekers must be converted into entrepreneurs. Such a transformation will enable the com ­ munity to hold its head high and look with hope to the future. Similarly, the community ’s interest in national affairs and public life of the country has declined considerably. Per- are not ashamed to loon 1 innn rharitV f nr I consider this to be a calamity, lean upon cnariiy lUI in marked contrast to this phenomenon their existence. That was not so some decades ago. we had, 80 years ago, a galaxy of great public men down from Dadabhoy Nao- roji, Pherozeshah Mehta, Navroji Fer- doonji, Limji Banaji, Sir Cowasjee Jehangir, to a host of lesser figures. We ___ ______ were a voice which did not fail to make vast fortune which he lavishly spent for itself heard. Nowadays, we are a dumb benevolent causes ? It is sad tQ flock without a shepherd. Worse still, observe that the majority of our youth we are becoming more and more exclu- has become so inured to comfort or lux- - “ ’ mm ury that they shy away from any I—1- which calls for toil or strenuous work or takes them away from the urban __ . sive and withdrawing from contacts task with our sister communities. We are, so to say, withdrawing tortoise-like into a continued on page II ‘S 7 ParsianaSeptombar 1984! < i i BOOKS I Zoroastrianism: a graded course Homi J Rogers I i Zoroastrian religion. The concept of However laudatory the scheme, the Zoroastrian religion, lhe concept or executionleavesmuchtobedesired.lt Asha is very important m Zoroas- _____________ is not easy to divide religious thought trianism, and this is all the more trianism (132 pp); Volume III Advanced Course. without sacrificing reason, why a part of this subject Light on Zoroastrianism (183 pp) — by Ervad _ mnrtancv and some- ?bp first RatanshahRustomjiMotafram. ^bhshedby the y ___ . coHlv falls Zoroastrianism — Volume I Elementary Course; Elements of Zoroastrianism (76 pp); Volume II Intermediate Course; Salient features of Zoroas- should have been dealt with in the first trustees of lhe Parsi Punchayet Funds and Pro- times both. Ervad MOtatram saoiy laiis vo.uiuv .v givC the ^\COm- perties, Bombay W Price Rs 30. into both these traps: For example, in prehensive overview of this i^iwrtant hisElementaryCoursebook,hetellsus precept. If the books are a gaded For quite some years now, the Bombay that “Zarathushtra was bom m Rae in course the sme Parsi Punchayet tmstees have been the province of Azerbaijan, m a very through all of th g uXaronst^^tbarragefromthecom- distant past. ” In the intermediate differently and in greater detail in each munitv; the unjust election system, the course, where he tries to rise above the volume. mn- pX thP Pipmpntarv stories narrated in the first However, when the last volume con- lethargy to construct houses on avail ­ able land and to allot flats to the deser ­ ving, etc. In the midst of these salvos. p,-acewasChorasmiainBac.ria.Asfor ’’SSS Zl urith the onslaught of a new party the distant past, ifwe were to search for whose members belong to the ‘radical ’ a definite date Motafram — even in ws ° %f afhngan, (the Parsi word for thinking, non- the Advanced Course - offers no con- and other orthodox Zoroastrians) group — have crete proof of the era m which our performing of these been stressing that housing and proper Prophet lived. He only, rather limply, fo ^ssent. '^e^Performing t utilization of funds is not the only need states: “we can say this much with cer- ceremonie and future oft^hour. The trustees would like the tainty that he must have lived before tnle^st^.XdSTthX^J immunity and its children to be mote the historical event of the conquest of pnests , and its^mctoionm the conscious of their religion, their glori- Assyria by the Medes^in 606 BC.’^ OUS heritage and values which when imbibed by their children would pave the way fora better tomorrow. The present Bombay Parsi Pun- Tj.it on tinn oarticuiar inieresi — even lu chayet chairman. Dr Aspi F Golwalla the manner ey were w . layman — would be the chapter on has addressed himself to this usk mth "J?™™*® roXe how an Atash Bahram is established, dedication and sm«n.y. ThePun- S,7S”hSSS Here we learn that 16 different kinds of chayet has i released a set of three books at a total cost of Rs 49,000 (figure quoted from .. the Parsi Punchayet Quarterly Review, tioning mind is left with more questicms Jan-March 1984 issue). The task of i— -------- . writing these books was accorded to elucidate by stating just oiw Ervad Ratanshah Rustomji Motafram, example : did ? MA, who judging by Golwalla ’s fore- ship to stones, trees, the elements out word, has abided by the trustee ’s of fear (as mentioned fiveiv les^dealt with m other similar injunction to provide “a systematic because it was his way of texts^ Two other chapters (also in Vol- graded course which a Parsi who really feelings (a more ume III) which rompel attention desires to know and understand his the phenomem ‘of na^^^^^^ thek novelty ’^re “Zoroas- and “Zoroas ­ trianism in Existing Times. ” Volume III also has a 17-page dictionary of times both. Ervad Motafram sadly falls volume to give into both these traps: For example, in ' his Elementary Course book, he tells us Utilization of resources, the elementary stories narrated m the first book and prove that Zarathushtra was that the Prophet was not a Persian or centrates on institutions and practices ¦ '---- k of sins, disposal of the dead etc.) and Zoroastrian rituals and ceremonies (the purificatory rituals of padyab, of yazashne, visperad, vendidad a historical personage, he concludes (sudreh-ku^ fire-temple VmC) etc. In tne miusv U1 UICOV saiwa, uiai uiv X •• • u* u where comments range from calumny Median but a Bactrian and his birth- There are innumerable such exam-' pies where two of the texts contradict placed, as each other — a difference not very apparent if one is to read the books in (an advanced study) is apt. Rising above these constraints, ;___ the foreword indicates, by the publishers, the books contain within the 400 pages a mine of informa ­ tion. Of particular interest — even to nu OlllWlllV. XlIV * ---- , r-.a f printed, published and itself to learning the basics of the reh- ...............gion before proceeding to its more ad ­ vanced stages. In such a case, the ques- unanswered than when it started. To : more example : did primitive man offer wor- ¦ ¦ ' 1 of fear (as mentioned in Volume I) or fire are used in the consecration, and these include the dSrpse-burning fire and the fire of lightning after which a total number of 1128 Yasnas and Ven- didads are performed for the consecra ­ tion. The books also shed light on Zoroas ­ trian Scriptures — a subject compara- ume 111) whicn compel diiciitiuii by the author in Volume III)? because of their novelty are “^roas- Yet another inherent defect in the ftian Cosi^gony construction of the books is that there is __ ____! and understand his the phenomena of nature^(asjndicated religion, can read, ” thus “filling a va ­ cuum ” that existed “though there is a large volume of literature on our reli- -------- gion ” The result is the set of three little continuity in the three titles %’’?“^'‘:‘“''?±Leof,hcbooks Yet another plus feature ot the dooks gion. ” subsidized rate of a modest Rs 10 each Course , _ Qjjjy with Asha, the pnncipal plank of the 9 Parsiana September 1964 especially Volume II, the Intermediate Zoroastrian terms ; a positive asset toI i 1 I 4 I same time it will be a puny,self-cente ­ red one without the strength to strike. If we are to hope for a bright future we must have the determination to _________ _¦___ _ ~ l No doubt, the Parsis have distin- solve the problems of the community (the book explainT the reason for this guished themselves in various profes- and such determination pre-supposes is the transcription and translation continued from page 7 (with explanation and notes) in English shell of our making. This attitude does of sMne short significant Zoroastrian not augur well for the healthy growth prayers. Enjoined as we are to say our and progress of the community. prayers in the original Avesta-Pazand I'- ‘ practice), it is interesting to learn the sions like law,.medicine, engineering, unity of aim and purpose and an effec- . . . . J •• I so on. tive leadership. The community has to , Parsis have become ministers and am- get rid of factions and petty disputes bassadors and a Parsi , the late Sir Homi and be of one mind and one will under Mody, also became a Governor. They one leader. But where is the leadership But generally the tone of the book is have shed lustre, not only on their own meaningof our prayers. And their right architecture, journalism and pronunciation too. The translations however, could be much better. Of course, this is a minor criticism. Mody, also became a Governor. They one leader. But where is the leadership But generally the tone of the book is have shed lustre, not only on their own to be found ? Certainly not among the very pedantic. And this is, sadly, a put- community, but on the country of their aimless weaklings, however high the off. Zoroastrianism has much to offer, adoption. To my mind that is not position they hold, or among business- and the study need not be a dry-as-bone enough. The Parsi mass must bestir men who are good hoarders of black adoption. To my mind that is not " i mass i___ affair. Even text books on subjects less itself. It is a pity to observe the present money. interesting are written today with verve apathy of the Parsis at large towards A leader will have to be found who is and flair. The author has not aimed at national affairs, and much more so, possessed of a good intellect and far- such a zest in the writing. And to strike towards such an elementary duty as the sightedness^ and honesty and sincerity a chord with the young, a more viva- exercise of their franchise. of purpose like some of our Sethias of a cious style is required. It has been If this outlook and attitude persists, I past generation. Let us look ahead for a * ¦ ...... - ¦ direction to our communal exis ­ tence without severing our links with apathy of the Parsis at large* towards national affairs, and much more so, exercise of their franchise. If this outlook and attitude persists, I achieved by the many new books pub- feel no doubt that the future of our co- lished recently on Zoroastrianism but, i ....................... unfortunately, not the books under munity without any significant role in what was good in the past, and the com- review. political life is a community without the munity will be put back on the rails. Buy the set of books, nevertheless, levers of power in its hands; and with- At present the prospect seems bleak, They are like our institutions: old- fashioned but with solid material. religionists is bleak. I feel that a com- political life is a community without the levers of power in its hands; and with ­ out the levers of power, a community but let us never despair of the future, may at best be self sufficient, but at the Neprimedfrom The Daily. August25, I9S4. ¦S' continued from pages revival of the priestly class. But it is centuated by the priests themselves, all denominations and even to the laity, easily discernible from the above that the profession is in shambles. They are The Working Group for Mobeds is no amount of financial incentives will responsible for the conditions that pre- another body which has been quietly bring , about a spurt in the number of vriil to-day and it is upto them to re- of the priests. The K R Cama^Oriental only bring further degradation on the strive hard to re-establish the exalted Institute gives scholarships to students profession. It is a fervent appeal to such status of the athornan. There is no who take up Avesta Pahlavi studies in formulators.not to make beggars of the question that if the present trend con- schools and colleges and there are priests but to make them the blessers of tinues, the class will simply fade away, other charity trusts which extend help ~~ If efforts are not made in the right di- to deserving and genuine cases. There Thp rlftHiPAtpH rection and concrete steps are not ta- is also the watered-down scheme of the ' ' UDUiba j^g^ no organization or committee will apex body of the community — the sinCSf© SHCl h9rcl“ succeed. A religious revival has Parsi Punchayet of Bombay. The . been initiated but it has not gone scheme was first envisaged by the late WOrKinQ DfieSt SeeiTlS beyond the occasional social evening or Maneck P Mistry and prepared by him ,__ ____ public lecture or even a farcical drama, and the late Ervad Dr Minocher D Karkhanavala in 1965. It was a re ­ stricted scheme on a limited scale ‘whereby adequate facilities could be offered to thoroughly t ‘ ‘ yozdathregars.' While in the process of schemes or recommendations, for half- Mistry suddenly passed away and the central body and an elaborate sec- back the proud and respected tradi- scherne which had been announced retariat to govern the priesthood. Now tions of the Zoroastrian priesthood and with much eclat in the Parsi press just is the time to act, and the simplest, with it establishJirmly once again the 1 u .. u J . J—p--— — - V V , yozdathregars carry out their duties in be to ignite the spark of devotion and one or two aspirants join the profession The Working Group for Mobeds is trvine to do its mite for the upliftment full-time priests. Such schemes will medy the state of affairs. They have to The dedicated, sincere and hard- . .. . , I - puuiiv IVVIUIV Ml VTVBl « luivivui to b© 9n inCllVIClU9l Ot ah these will not help unless the laity 1 . arouses itself from its apathy and the tne p9st. priests exert to educate and dedicate - - -------------- ------------------ themselves to the profession with grave trained the community. This is not the time for sincerity _ _______ _______ __________ ¦ With the help and co-operation of being implemented by the Punchayet, baked and botched reports or for a one another, we should strive to bring Mistry suddenly passed away and the central body and an elaborate sec- back the proud and respected tradi- scherne which had been announced retariat to govern the priesthood. Now tions of the Zoroastrian priesthood and with much eclat in the Parsi press just is the time to act, and the simplest, with it establish firmly once again the fizzled away. To-day just a couple of most efficient and useful action would glory that is the Zoroastrian religion. If _ ______ _______________‘ " ------------------------------------------- one of the agiaries in the suburbs of dedication, of respect and zeal in the as full-fledged priests during the year, it Bombay under thjs scheme. sons of priestly families. This is where will be a precious and beautiful con- And now there are rumbles again ab- we have failed miserably. tribution to continuation of the tradi- out formulating new schemes for the The present condition has been ac- tions of our community. of priestly families. This is where will be a precious and beautiful con- The present condition has been ac- tions of our community. 11 Rsrsisna S^tember 1984 I I! li !¦ I i I 1«'4' rW I I Ik kil "ij 't^.. .... mI ? ¦<’/>; :? <« « •« i f i Iv’’ ' < Q *0 W“ * i-.'• • 1^ * 4 ? «# .. B <• 0 * • ^4i: Time and Talents turns fifty A leading social organization in Bombay that does unto others. Indu Saraiya oi^^nfeMion celebrated its golden"jub^ moSerLa^''jerw"Mulb ’S ''""t '’’’"’ 'Irf J5®-!"ember strong club is on lee. The Time and Talents Qnb entered .^‘5'-Mulla and aunt a sound footina. and a. its 50th year of voluntaty activities rang- u„va mv ing from music to mother care, handi- charities, crafts to holiday homes, galas to gour met food, self-help to samaritanism, medicare to meditation. Celebrations ___ _ started with celebrity conductor Zubin chip ii Mehta conducting the New York Phil- a sound footing, and encompasses 21 to actively contributes to the city’s specbl ethos. up endless pc^ibiliri^ and altmcmj mS'XerX" eu to cial help, to the clirij ’s way of thinking. Club membere believe that support must be given, not indiscriminately, but where it is deserved. In this spirit, members —precious time and as- ^d^ ladi^ back in 19X yeanieSTo The"^™ G^i Slf°"""“ responsibilities on others ’ do unto others what they would have Shavaksha (nee Mulla) its founder-ore- Th^ ri k j others do unto them. They found just sident and movino cnirk t recognizes degrees and the opportunity they were looking for of the same name^in^Entland ® diversities, and provides different infra- one September aftinoon The Three XTlk T® . structures for gaining maximum bene- Mulla cousins, GtSt S and name sut«ts “**« *' met Roshan Sethna who had just re^ special tllente ^d to wcelebrity turned from Rajasthan, having TeaS S fS their the difficult art of jewel-making^ rests of charitv soon thilT^ rgerinte- rally attract the limelight, many other ,ea ¦?:,““^.P^-vaUed on rUu io woman-pSS^VtSSnS into a^^- »«> leacn tnem tois craft, while they, in ing network of several groups, with ten- of Victory Stall in 1962. taeles reaching out into various spheres they had From this exchange of skills and touching many women ’s lives ' Wadia, Vijaylakshmi Pandit. Gool grew a body of work which they decid- Today, sInTe 50 ve^ of its npe.v LadyJer- and the proceeds were disbursed t" •• The success of the venture opened ....... . other women from all . in ’ ¦ ¦ meetings began to be organized, and . . -----—M*ah>TTV'A vv/ dVr communities to cial help, to the club ’s way of thinking. Fftrinoc WpaHi? r'i.,i______ ? v.i. . harmrknir^ ;« « r • . ucgdo CO DC Organized, and as InZ five-concert series m the group became larger and larger, it XllUla. txroe _____ • It all st^ed when a handful of like- do un.„”o;hem wha, they would-b;;; StovSZ Others do untn Ihftm Th**« __ j • “ “Apre- w^ brought under one banner and volunteer their christened the Time and Talents Club. The name was given by the late Gool special talents and to provide suitable rests of charity, soon this nucleus of woman-power burgeoned into a grow ­ ing network of several groups, with ten- f**^P*r«tion of Victory Stall in 1962. and touching many women ’s lives. ' Txxzl^. • 7 OWVfl/WAIfl Today, since 50 years of its incep- bai Mody. 12 Rwstans September 1984I »-¦ I ¦i I J solution is worked out. In each month, two batches of about 20 Other MdvUei oflfae dub ladies go for 15 days to Matheran. Annual sale for self-employed women : Old Clothes Committee Many women with skills but no outlets These days there is a flourishing mar ket for selling their wares benefit through for old clothes-specially if they are the these annual sales. Left alone with their trendy unisex jeans and shirts which the special expertise, such women would ‘raddiwalas ’ sell to the chawl children find it difficult, and too costly, to orga- and adults for fancy prices. The Time nize exhibition-cum-sales. The Time and and Talents Club provides an opportu- Talents Club through its infrastructure nity for this special kind of charity, find- gives these women the invaluable oppor- ing an outlet for the non-profit-minded, tunity, to reap a rich harvest from their It appeals to those who want to dispose special talents by organizing exhibition- of their old clothes for meaningful chari- cum-sales. ties to donate them to the Club, which, __---------------------------------------- in turn, sells them to chawl-dwellers at . . , . « . . , . ____------------------------- g women throw-away prices through their annual ught redress to fflmdreds of needy per- In these days of spiralling prices, holi- jumble sales. Experience has shown that sons. Because such activities are un- days seem a luxury out of reach of many free gifts of such clothes are not advis- are not widely known, working women. The Time and Talents able; they deprive prospective buyers and ther «fore , their benefits are under- Club makes this possible by arranging of two things —their self-respect and the publicized. Raising funds and dispensing and subsidizing two holiday sessions per satisfaction of having found a good bar- gam. The object of the club was to harness women’s special talents to provide suitable outlets for their work in the larger interests of charity. HolMay Home for working women days seem a luxury out of reach of many free gifts of such clothes are not advis- Club makes this possible by arranging of two things — their self-respect and the charity are symbolic activities of the year in Matheran in May and October, club; neither has meaning without the If The Helping Hand I This is, literally, what it is; a hand ex- I tending help to the needy through sym- I pathy, counselling, and guidance with I the help of the club ’s own panel of I professional experts in their own fields. I The Helping Hand shows women the I means to Cope with their difficulties I relating to education, employment, mar- V riage, divorce etc. and often provides j the wherewithal. I The centre from which the Helping II Hand operates is a tiny vestry of the St m Sebastian Church on St Xavier ’s Street, I Girgaum, Bombay. Volunteers man the ¦ centre on Tuesdays and Fridays (ex­ cept on Bank Holidays) from 10.30 am to 12 noon. They are available for coun ­ selling and help to anyone who needs them. The club has registered some 500 cases, and successfully helped most of them. Most people who avail themselves of this social help are referred there through friends or through neighbours spreading the word. Cases are carefully registered for a nominal fee of 25 paise and meticulously processed. Simple forms are filled, stating pertinent parti ­ culars regarding age, family income, reason for help, etc. The volunteers then make their recommendations to the club ’s managing committee and a Right: sale of work of self-employed women. Above: Jal Sett and Banoo Cama at the West View Holiday Home function. UN W ^*52? tlOtlOM MMt (KJMbTiB •• M SiTT * Mil,®*** MWMMMMrim* «»*¦ w« •V «i». AMnbh I 13 Awstsns September 1984 6 ) &; i ! ! ¦O ! C«^' I I G I s is K 'yi'j J Fl t • s ii Pl. II The India connection Zubin Mehta talks about his music and his roots Harold C Schonberg New York — Some years ago Zubin Mehta was quoted as saying that he would never conduct any orchestra in India or Russia, countries hostile to Israel. This year he.took the New York Philharmonic on a tour of the Far East, partly sponsored by Citibank, which began with Tokyo and culminated with five concerts in Delhi, Calcutta and Bombay, ending September 19. Inconsistency? Change of heart? Mehta has been known to say things in the heat of the moment and then retract them? When he was music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic he had ¦ some nasty words to say about the musicians of the New York Philhar- monic, in effect charging them with HF-, being a spoiled bunch of prima donnas, nowhere near as good a group as his. |||^B He would not marry the Philharmonic HH if it was the last orchestra on earth. Some years later he stood before them, India several times with his family. back to Zoroaster 4,000 years ago. He an invited guest. He apologized hand- I’ ’ " ' ................ ‘ ‘ somely — handsomely enough to over disagreements between him and wrong, and it became the religion of the become its leader not long after that. the Indian government about a tour Persian empire. ” [The Philharmonic cancelled two with the Israel Philharmonic, of which “I love India, “ he said, “and it is performances in Malaysia because of he is lifetime conductor. At that time important for my spirit to go back. I the government ’s request that Ernest he angrily said that he would never con- feel I belong so much. When I land in Bloch ’s Schelomo, a Hebrew Rhap- duct in India until it recognized Israel. Bombay it’s like I never left. I never sody for Cello and Orchestra be drop- Now he has calmed down a bit. even changed my passport, though I ped from the program. The orchestra “I can ’t hold the New York Philhar- could have become aSwiss citizen some agreed not to play Schelomo, but monic responsible for my statements, ” years ago. Today there are about only changed its mind after outrage was voi- he said. “And when it came down to it, 90,000 Parsis in the world. We are ced by US Jewish organizations and I could not conceive of an Asiatic tour dwindling. Aside from his spiritual involve ­ ment, there is another reason why Mehta is eager to conduct in India. He wants to bring Western music here. ¦I "> . ’.am ?«¦ .. 1 {• I A' i India several times with his family. back to Zoroaster 4,000 years ago. He He popped off about India in 1978, taught the difference between right and “I can ’t hold the New York Philhar- government officials.] Recently Mehta, spoke about India, Israel, music and politics. He was excited about the trip. Bom coming visit as “more nationalistic than in Bombay 48 years ago, Mehta left religious, though I am religious. My when he was 18 to study in Vienna. It temples are only in India. When I am in Above: Mehta's mother welcoming was not until 1967 that he returned, as India I go to the religious ceremonies. I, Nancy and Zubin at Bombay Airport. conductor of the touring Los Angeles am a Parsi, and we are brought up to Facing page: Arti'for the Mehtas at the Philharmonic. Since then he has visited practice the symbols. Our religion goes Taj Intercontinental. without going to my own country. ” Mehta ’s roots in Indian life and cul ­ ture run deep. He described the forth- Above: 14 Parsiana September 1984i Mr* -C' 4? jA * I#' ’.-j # well with management. He is a good man for the orchestra. ” Mehta shrugs his shoulders at criti ­ cism. He insists that honest criticism never bothers him. What he does not like is snobbishness in criticism. He thinks that too many critics are too eager to parade their knowledge, and he has little respect for that type. He knows, with mingled irritation and amusement, that many regard him as a glamour-boy conductor, and he cannot figure out why. He considers himself a serious musician who has mastered his scores. He has very few platform mannerisms — certainly noth ­ ing along the podium acrobatics of a Leonard Bernstein. He always comes India, unlike Japan or even the resur- New York press. Mehta ’s predecessor, gent China, is not a country that has Pierre Boulez, had a hard time of it. shown much interest in Western classi- Before Boulez, Leonard Bernstein was cal music. It has few orchestras and has the favourite whipping boy of the New ---- J---- J ---. . -....................... - - - who figure on the international scene. But of one thing Mehta is positive, and ...................... ............ .................. that is the response of the Indian public and, in the 1930s , John Barbirolli to the music he is going to bring. He Nobody, in or out of the New York believes that Indians will respond to Philharmonic disputes Mehta ’s profes- Beethoven, Wagner, Bach and the sionalism. But in many critical circles other composers he will be conducting, there is a feeling that he is more con- For many years Mehta has been cerned with color and effect than witl\ out soberly, does his stint, takes his much more allied professionally to substance; that he can be inconsistent; bows and retires. Israel than to his native country. The that his strength is mainly in the big “I spent 16 years in Los Angeles lifetime conductor of the Israel Philhar- Romantic showpieces rather than in buildipg up what I thought was a pretty monic, he spends several months each Beethoven and his predecessors. good orchestra, ” he said. “I was too year there and is constantly taking the Nor have the Philharmonic players busy to be a glamour boy. But there orchestra^on tour. He finds in Israel a wholeheartedly accepted him. They were those reports about me, and those ... .. 71 as a person. They stories about the orchestra calling me he learned as a Parsi. admire his clear beat and general ‘Zubi, baby. ’Nobody ever called me I first visited Israel in 1961, and I technique. He does have his suppor- ‘Zubi, baby, ’ and the writer who first felt so much at home, he said. “It even ters. But there are also those who feel used the expression later admitted to looked like home. The people remind- that he is not particularly inspiring mus- me that he had made it up. I don ’t have ed me of my own people. They are like ically. Of course, it can also be said that the time to be a glamour boy. I give five Parsis. They, like us, have kept a racial the Philharmonic, like any major months a year to the Philharmonic, identity. Israel is my country, almost. I orchestra, contains 30 or 40 players three months to Israel, do at least one am so much a native there that I can be who think they can do as well or better new opera production a year and take a very critical. When I disagree with on the podium than any of the maestros month off. In 19871 will have a sabbat- Israeli politics I argue with the who address them. ical for the calendar year and will con- Israelis. ” On the other hand, musical adminis- duct the Philharmonic only on an He has picked up some Hebrew in his trators in New York look on Mehta American tour. Perhaps I can do more years with the Israel Philharmonic, but with a great deal of respect. opera that year. I love to conduct mostly he talks Yiddish there, with “I know that some think him a rather opera. ” complete fluency. superficial musician, ” says one respect- Of his tenure at the New York Last year it was announced that ed figure who prefers to remain anony- Philharmonic, he said, “I would say Mehta ’s contract with the New York i------ ‘ -------- ’: • * j - Philharmonic had been extended to he is genuinely interested in the orches- 1990. He has now been with the orchestra for seven years and has not __ ______ been receiving a uniformly favourable their own careers. Mehta is committed, at a stage'where I can convince*my or- press. It should be added that few He has the ears of his players; he per- chestra of my musical ideas. ” Philharmonic conductors in recent sonally attends all auditions when there u decades have received a favourable is a vacancy in the orchestra; he works AugLt i^ New York press. Mehta ’s predecessor not produced instrumentalists or singers York critics, who felt that the Bernstein ego was getting in the way of his music. And so back to Dimitri Mitropoulos "Nobody ever called me 'Zubi baby' and the writer who first used the expression later admitted that he had made it up:" Romantic showpieces rather than in buildipg up what I thought was a pretty --------- . L ¦ ¦ -______ Nor have the Philharmonic players busy to be a glamour boy. But there X people whose beliefs are close to those like him well enough admire his clear beat and general I 15 Parsiana September 1984 “I know that some think him a rather superficial musician, ” says one respect- mous. But the man is a real pro. And that after seven yeas there is much \ ' ¦ more honesty between us. There is a tra. Other conductors give the impres- more relaxed relationship. Everything sion that they are interested only in is in the open. I believe that today I am 1’^*7 ' ... ... at a stage where I can convince my or-