Aug 1990

t| J 1 ¦ I •V4 i li .i*' sfl ’(‘I « ‘\2 * * V 's-'i AM i! , a. .lu sVt'i bJ- ' E mi ** •? IstJ i'±i.. £S %August 1990 Volume 13 Number 2 EDITOR Jehangir R. Patel MANAGING EDITOR Arnavaz S. Mama EXECUTIVE EDITOR Parinaz M. Gandhi ASSISTANT EDITOR Roxana H. Kaka DESIGN Kranti Shilotri, Varghese Fernandez, Deborah Fernandes 3 Readers’ Forum 18 Events and Personalities 29 Zoroastrians Abroad MARKETING DIRECTOR Veera Patel ADVERTISING MANAGER Zarin Mistry ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE Cheryl D’Penha CHIEF EXECUTIVE Rustom Thanavala FINANCE B. L. Arora EDP Rohinton E. Daroga CIRCULATION Behram Umrigar MANAGEMENT Minoo Patel. Jasmine Driver OFFICE R^endra P. Nayak, Khurshid Panthaki, Patricia Lewis. Rajalakshmi Krishnan, Bakhtavar Batliwalla, Nowzer Batiiwala 40 Maachh the throne by Gustasp Irani 53 An injustice at doongerwadi by Arnavaz Mama 60 Travels in Iran -1 by Manekji Limji Hataria 67 Taxing gifts by Homi Ranina 70 Sunny forecasts by Parinaz Gandhi 77 Recipes by Bhicoo Manekshaw 86 Books 101 Milestones 106 In Memoriam Cover: Transparency of Udwada Atash Bahram Parsiana is published by Jehangir R. Patel for Parsiana Publications Pvt Ltd, at C/o H.L. Rochat, Navsari Chambers, ground floor, 39 A.K.Nayak Marg, Fort, Bombay 400001 and printed by him at Parsiana Publications Pvt Ltd, C/o Kaiser E-Hind Pvt Ltd, 300 Perin Nariman Street, Bombay 400001. Color processing, Comart Lithographers; and black and white processing, Samir Process. All rights reserved. Phone: 2048730 Fax: 2042922 For editorial enquiries: 2048183 Telex 11-85710 RABO IN Annual inland subscription Rs 60 for one year (12 issues); Rs 100 for two years (24 issues). Foreign subscription rates: Seamail Rs 130 for one year, Rs 245 for two years; Air mail Rs 275 for one year, Rs 525 for two years. For US cheques add $5 to cover bank charges. For Indian upcountry cheques add Rs 4 for bank charges. Cheques and drafts are to be drawn in favor of Parsiana and posted to GPO Box 892, Bombay 400001 or C/o H.L.Rochat, Navsari Chambers, ground floor, 39 A.K.Nayak Marg, Fort, Bombay 400001 IIn Memonam Mr Fali Meherji Variava Director BLAZE ADVERTISING PVT LTD AND ASSOCIATE COMPANIES1 READERS’ FORUM , H 1 iJtSH 1 n’”’* i' C C; tn Ml ¦itiii It * ,.^4l V ^-2i 1'^-1 tent insightful person, retaining her dards, its own functioning, even its own viicuiii tu.u i i- __ _ - ' competence to judge real worth. Is its different her views, she expressed those own vision of greatness^of achicvem^ejU, views with modesty, clarity, and friendli ­ ness, always agreeable. She carried her bree din g and her education as one to the tions the qualities of Mehra Masani. manner born, never a trace of snobbery. aspimoddie She was kind, gentle, dignified. One can 1 imagine her quiet, solid, admirable con- i ¦ r tribudons to great issues in public policy tion s awards committee and chief execu- 1 and organization in government ’s mass tive of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet, re- H media, as the first director of air’s Ex- plies i „ I ternal Services Division, as member-sec- This refers to Mr Aspi Moddie s letter silent contributor to, the Masani licy. i u Under advice of Mr Keki Gandhi, hon- I X si' IKV’ l’' charm and femininity. No matter how competence to judge real worth. Is its of human excellence limited? Let them and us think on it, bringing to tliose ques- R. K. Anklesaria, member of the Federa- tive of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet. re- iciiim ju.iuw ____________ ^is refers to Mr Aspi Moddie ’s letter rcta^ oFthe"chanda Committee Report, questioning the Federation ’s Awards po- as a S—.— ----------- Committee Report, as India ’s refined ---------- r u representative in the delegation to the orary secretary. Federation of Parsi UNESCO General Assembly in Paris in rx n m am n 1968. Insiders who knew, have paid tes ­ timony to it. If we are struggling to- - ---------- wards an autonomous corporation in the lence achieved by Zoroastnans residing m public media today, after two decades of India, in certain spheres, during a particu- that media becoming a mouthpiece of lar calendar year. The nine spheres in- govemment, it is partly because upright elude sports, adventure, small scale en- people like Mehra laid the groundwork trepreneurship, education, research, sci- intenially, in the best traditions of an an- -------- -------------------- onymous (--------------------- racy still struggling to be born. -------- , I saw Mehra function as director of history, culture and senptures, and stu- A panel of experts evaluates the level of excellence achieved by individuals — „ X ' ¦ • . The evaluation is based on the information re ­ Zoroastrian Anjumans of India, I am to inform that the sole purpose of instituting these awards is to recognize the excel- ence and technology, professional compe ­ tence, performing and fine arts, social and community services, study of Zoroastrian ------ ......J civil service in a new democ ­ racy still struggling to be born. 1 ' the, Deolali Centre with people from all dents, walks and stations in life. She was al ­ ways the great, unpretentious, competent lady exuding charm and sweetness and during a particular calendar year, graciousness. Yet so workmanlike, so c -------------------- understanding; quietly and competently ceived with the nominations which ^e building one of India ’s little institutions invited through announcements in the Fea wnen a grea. lau, g«« “ a'^.STn manXyl: Sedto^r'^U “siX"e “o,ing; com,^sing rep^^senudves of ,he (AIR) over 30 years; that she became the I— ------ „ . internally respected deputy director of the end. Her unpretentious life as a good same AIR but retired a year early because public servant spanned an important age. a mediocre government could not rise to She could have written c ---- her level; that she then became the quiet memoir, of which we have been de- and competent director of the Leslie prived. . _ . Sawhny Training Centre in Deolali; f*:? •XSiSTJSi’SiiStX tho mnst imnnriflnt things about D. Gorwala do not figure on the honors Bombay m 1988 the aw^os tor iy»o ano “ e happenings, lisu of the Federation of ^i 8 S W&hP not intrinsic qualities; ntiiefxrsts, not the XpSeXthe tinte this leuer appears the quiet confidence ot a poiseo, conipv c ------ Readers* views are welcome on any subjepl of interest to the community and should be sent to the Editor, Readers' Forum, Parsiana, G.P.O. Box 892, Bombay 400001. Letters are subject to editing for reasons of space and clarity. Unsigned letters or those without an address will not be published. f When a great lady goes invited through announcements in the Fed Newsletter. \— ------------ ----- her quiet courage, soldiering on to the committee. , -4 As the basis of adjudication IS the level _ _______ of excellence achieved during a particular a*^ wonderful calendar year, achievements of one or ¦ more earlier years cannot be taken into consideration. ¦ “ i The awards were instituted in respect • r could and should be proud, of the years commencing from the calen- And yet, why is it that such as her and A. dar year 1986 and at a function held in She could have written She was a person of whom the Parsi wint.li anv _______________ -J __ sirkar, ” giving recognition to those who who knew her. In an age of feminists know how to acquire rank and stotus, ig- •• • J others with real worth? The Fed­ eration needs to examine its own stan- a Parsiana August 1990WHAT? NEVER HEARD OF PARAGON TOY SHOP? MY GOODNESS! It's a shop with a good selection of TOYS, DOLLS CYCLES, SCOOTERS, PEDAL CARS, EDUCATIONAL TOYS, PRESENTATION BOOKS, PUZZLES, NOVELTIES, ETC Established in 1943 in Calcutta Branch in Bombay since 1971 A shop known for reasonable rates & good service. Many families have been our regular customers for 3 to 4 generations now ADDRESS No 108, Heera Panna Shopping Centre (With car parking space) Bhulabhai Desai Road (Old Warden Road) Near Haji Ali Bombay 400026 4 Parsiana August 1990 Mr A. D. Gorwala pertain to a period Azad Maidan Police Station and we ^e even Mr Moddie himselfhad not sent a been filed against him and he has been re ­ leased on bail. The organizers of the so-called Parsi Sena are now seen in their true colors and prior to 1986 and perhaps that is why informed that a criminal complaint has nomination in their favor whilst nomina ­ ting another individual in the sphere of social and community services. We trust your readers will appreciate their shady character exposed, from the above the real reason for Ms . Masani and Mr Gorwala not having fea- auman. om ay rsi c aye tured in the list of award winners for the year 1986 onwards. As regards the other observations made by Mr Moddie, the Federation is fully conscious of its limitations. The need to evaluate its own functioning has not only been recognized but a mecha ­ nism for self analysis and self criticism was also put into action through a ques ­ tionnaire drafted at our request by Par­ siana which was circulated at the meet ­ ing of the executive council held in Bombay and the written responses gener- japan ated at the meeting were handed over to Parsiana for evaluation at the meeting it­ self. China 10 7 15 7 6.5 O' 1989; The telling figures Parsiana, (May 1990) has given figures for births and deaths in Greater Bombay for the year 1989. It is worth comparing the birth rates and the death rates of the Parsi community in Bombay vis-a-vis the rest of the world as shown in the table; Rates Per Thousand Population Birth rate Death rate 1960 1989 19601989 40 17 World 35 Parsis in Bombay 11.5 The figures for China, Japan and the Parsi Sena world have been taken from charts drawn I have to inform the general public that I in State of the World, 1989 (A World have no connection with an organization Watch Institute publication). ^figures called Parsi Sena, either politically or so ­ cially. My attention has been drawn to the fact that some of their office bearers (Vol 10. Part 10-lD) whereas the figures have been collecting funds in my name for 1989 have been calculated assuming from the general public, especially Parsis. the population as 45,000, as given by Pe- On my complaint the Bombay police shotan Nargolwala at the Fifth World have arrested the general secretary of the Zoroastrian Congress. One notices from Parsi Sena, one Farokh Gustad Patel, and the table the following: have charged him under various sections • Whereas the birth rate has been falling of the Criminal Procedure Code for cheat- rapidly over the years all over the world, ing and misrepresentation. I request all my well-wishers not to _ entertain or encourage any member of pOTod from 1960 to 1990. this organization as I have nothing to do with them. I have to inform the general public that I 19 10 26 9.7 13.9 22.4 for the Parsi community for 1960 have been taken from the 1961 Census of India in our community it has fallen only mar ­ ginally from 11.5 to 9.7 over the 30-year • Even in 1960, our death rate (13.9) was . marginally greater than the birth rate (11.5) but today the death rate has esca- An organization known as Parsi Sena lated rapidly (22.4). made headlines in various newspapers in ''''' Bombay in or about March/April 1989, under the leadership of Mr Eric N. Dhati- gara and one Mr Farokh Patel. Mr Dhatigara was all the time saying that he was very well known to Mr Ma- , razban Patrawala, then minister of state dwindling of numbers and aging of the for law and judiciary. Government of community. Maharashtra. It is however interesting to '' note that Mr Patrawala has issued a pub ­ lic notice appealing to his well-wishers not to entertain any member of this or ­ ganization. As far as Mr Eric Dhatigara is con ­ cerned, on a complaint made by a Parsi MARAZBAN J. A. PATRAWALA M.L.A, The reasons for excessive deaths over births are not far to seek. The regular stream of boys going to the USA who never return, girls intermarrying, to ­ gether with the never married category and very small families, have caused this Gone are the days when students used to go for studies abroad under gifts and loans from Parsi trusts and charities and return to keep the community thriving. Today these gifts and loans have no meaning because without financial assis- VV1..VW w.. « VW... ..... ........................................J___________ tai ’ce from American universities to the lady, he was arrested by an officer of the tune of $ 15,000 per year, the vast major- 1 IThe elegance of gracious living Deval Plated Silverware. There's something so select about it! That special pleasure of using silver. Elegant. Stylish. Classy. A reflection of your taste - and sophisticated lifestyle. And it comes with an exclusive 5 year warranty. So you know you're buying the best... the most reliable. DEVAL- PLATED SILVERWARE 15/5, Karve Road. Pune 411004. Tel 330091. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday Closed. Marketed in Bombay by Deval Munsif & Co. 31, Brij Kutir, Napean Sea Road, Bombay - 400 006.- Service with a Silver Smile.... for years... ity of students will just not be able to go abroad. Our talented boys who go abroad do not realize that challenging jobs are available here. By deciding to settle abroad, they create problems not only for the country but also for the community. It is high time that Parsi trusts and chari ­ ties change their order of priorities for giving gifts and loans. The money was- tefuUy spent on students going to the USA, who never return, could be more usefully and effectively utilized here as loans to needy couples as an incentive and for the upkeep of their children. Unless the predisposing factors are rectified, it would be a long way before we could halve our death rate to around ten. Some radical measures are needed now. Ct P. n SUNAVALA “The correct position?” This has reference to M. S. Petit’s letter (“The correct position? ” Readers ’ Fo ­ rum, Parsiana, April 1990). In different countries, different rulers at different times have had the same name. In some cases, two such rulers are separated by a millenium. A conventionally acceptable mode is to refer to such rulers as so-and- so the first/second/third, etc. At times, an appellation like ‘the Great ’ is used as in the case of Cyrus, Darius, Alexander, Akbar, etc to distinguish a particular ruler from his namesake who may have lived before or after him. Once this fact is acknowledged, what Petit calls “prob ­ lems ” cease to exist. To come to the specific points raised by your correspon ­ dent: • Darius King of Pontus (39-37 BC) was the grandchild via son of Mithridates VI Eupator (the Great: 121-63 BC). He need not be confused with Darayavahush I (Darius the Great 522-486 BC) — nine kings of the Achemenid dynasty and an ­ other nine of the Mithridatid dynasty separate these two. • The “popular belief ’ that Zoroastrian kings ruled Iran from 10,000 BC is up­ held only by some Parsi reincamation- ists. Though uncertainty prevails as re ­ gards Zoroaster ’s era, one thing is cer tain: even Zoroaster ’s great grandfather was not bom in 10,000 BC and hence it would be absurd to hold that “Zoroas ­ trian kings ” ruled in that remote antiq ­ uity. There is, however, another “popular belief ’ according to which all those hav­ ing Persian names were, and are, Zoroas- trians, but there is enough evidence to prove that this is untenable. Quite a few 6 Parsiana August 1990 MWith Best Compliments From among others than Parsis and Iranis, Darius, ruler of the Pontus kingdom (north-east Turkey ’s Black Sea coast and hinterland) of Persian origin, was such a dynast. He was thought to have ruled c 40 BC, Mithridates (today ’s Mehrdad, “gift of Mithra ”) was a popular name for six of that kingdom ’s Persian rulers. How conventionally Zoroastrian they were is not easy to determine. Certainly inland Pontus boasted a very famous Anahita temple at Zela, The popular Parsi belief on Zoroas ­ trian kings ruling firom 10,(XX) BC to 600 BC is without foundation. There is no trace, in Iran proper or anywhere in the neighboring lands, of any such long-ex ­ tended Zoroastrian kingship, and any fig­ ure could be mooted to suit the enthusi- TRIKA AGENCIES Quality Printers & Suppliers of All Kinds of Stationery Items Moslems, particularly in Iran and India, had, and still have, Persian names like Jamshid, Bahram, Rostam, Firuz, Jehangir, Pervez, etc. Thus the four kings with popular Persian names were all Moslems. It is a historical fact that they were Yazidids of Shirvan who ruled So ­ viet Azerbaijan. Faridun (1063-1094 AD) was the son of Faribourz I, Far- rokhzad I (C 1155-1171 AD) was the son of Abu Muzzaffar Maunchihr n and Ker- •shasp (1171-1179 AD) was the son of Farrokhzad I, Anushirawan (Noshirwan: 1344-1353 AD) was the seventeenth and the last king of the Ilkhan (Mongol) Dy­ nasty, • R, F, Tapsell in his encyclopedic work Monarchs, Rulers, Dynasties and King­ doms of the World, New York 1983 —-------- .. r, u uw. u- p, 400 gives a list of rulers of the ’Arab ast ’s particular whim. Zaralhushtra hm- Shahid Dynasty which ruled Khwarizm/ self can be located in time around 1(W Khiwa from the early sixteenth to the BC in eastern Iran. Our textual tradition early eighteenth century. According to yields dates of 600-583 BC (which is this list, Isfandiyar (Asfandyar: 1623- 1643 AD) was the son of ’Arab Moham ­ mad I. Both father and son were of Mos- There is nothing facetious about these cies. On this subject I should sttess that historical facts, though the inference it is all-important to know^^aAushtra s drawn by Petit is off the maik because, -- —~ “ after the fall of the Sasanid dynasty in part, leaving,^ literally ® 651 AD when king Yazdagird III was as- i" " sassinated, there were some chiefs who message irrelevant. .............. ruled small districts or provinces before the migration of Zoroastrians, but not a single Zoroastrian king has ever ruled verted to Islam Iran. Otherwise stated, the inference that ‘ occasionally a 2k)roastrian ruler ruled in Iran in between the seventh and the sev ­ enteenth or the eighteenth century AD is because of Persian (instead of the usual and more fitting Arabic) names of certain Moslem rulers of that period. FARIBOURZ NARIMAN never possible according to our fervid thunderers who can, unaccountably, fire off 10,000 and even 30,000 BC!), We must leave them to their individual fan- message and not be fixated on the age rfately many have thought fit to see the Most Zoroastrians stayed behind in Iran after the Arab conquest. They con- • from sheer frustration at the ritually very exacting Zoroastrianism to a fresh, new, undemanding religion free, at that time, from overmuch dogma; • from the pressures of the harsh civic disabilities inflicted upon them by the new rulers, and • to escape the crushing jizya (itself an invention of the Sassanian state appara- May I endeavor to satisfy M. S. Petit’s tus). ................. , curiosity (“The correct position? ” Read- ers ’ Forum, Parsiana, April 1990) re ­ garding some historical data references? • The sixth century BC Darius was in- Tel Off: 2041334 2042119 Res: 8225375 Address: 41, Manek Ibad 5 Setalwad Roadl deed the great Achaemenian emperor Off Nepean Sea Road, Bombay 400036 The numbers who initially migrated to India were from these harshly, admini ­ stered regions, some to escape from the persecutions for their steadfast adherence to the old faith, some to the beckonings (521-486 BC). There were two others of commercial opportunities in western with that throne name; Darius Okhos India and elsewhere. Zoro^Wianism (424-405 BC) and Darius Dirazdast continued to flourish until well into the (336-331 BC), tragically the last tenth century when, owing to persecu- Achaemenid The actual Old Persian tions and forcible conversions, it was name was Darayavahush — “adhering to gradually conpned^^ojhe the good ” — and so great was the great - - - - king ’s fame as empire-builder and toler ­ ant statesman that many a later dynast adopted that august name. We also come very _ 2 ________ ; continued to flourish until well into the SSC SSI BC), tragically the last tenth century when, owing to persecu- Achaemenid The actual Old Persian tions and forcible conversions, it was ......................... « 11 _____ £•._____ I .AtviAtA of central Iran and some pockets in the north. Our Transylvanian enthusiast may r well have got the names of the across Darius and Cyrus to this day Azarbaijani rulers nght: after all, many 8 Parsiana August 1990kb. governors and administrators had fine about Rs 10,000 or more only for the the guest, ‘to be busy both at home and old Ira nian names. Certainly, Faridun/ transport of free food from charitable in- abroad! ’ Like Newton, Nariman has Fereydun, Farokhzat/Fararokhzad and, of stitutions and wedding functions. She throughout remained a bachelor and course, Kersasp, together with Anushir- 1 _ ' ' . ' _ ‘ - -t,. „ wan/Nushirwan and Khusro were at- hygiene and medical care are also essen- riage. ’ The scientist poured out his entire tested at some stage or another among tial. In order, to keep them healthy, the life on the laws of gravitation and the ex- the names of chiefs and administrative Bombay Parsi Punchayet would need to Bombay Congress president is too much heads. But they were not, to the best of keep three or four menials for bathing, wedded to politics, prisons and the police' my knowledge, kings. To be sure, we feeding and medical care. Besides, the to spare time for the ent^glements and come across Tahmasp, Shahrukh and Punchayet has no such ear-marked funds vicissitudes of matrimony. ” Bahram among the princes of later dy- for welfare of doongerwadi dogs. Please note the fact that the book was nasties, but they were not Zoroastrians. It is a question, whether our community published in early 1943 while Veer Nari- Outwardly, at least, they had professed on its charitable institutions would will- man had died in 1948. On checking with Islam. FARROKH VAJIFDAR ingly contribute to revive the very old Thacker ’s in Bombay, I was told that only Baine*,uK and dcfunct practice which has no bearing one edition of the book was published. on common sense. The present practice It’s along time since then but the publish- “DogS at Doongerwadi” nms smoothly enough at doongerwadi. ers could not recall having received any Ms M. K. Chothia in her letter (“Dogs at Besides, one must consider the safety of representation from the Nariman family Doongerwadi, ” Readers ’ Forum, Par- the hundreds of persons who visit doon- to make the necessary correction. siana, April 1990) suggests we should gerwadi for attending ceremonies. If dogs I myself received the first “refutation ” keep at least 20 dogs at the Bombay become insane and go berserk, the about my article nearly six months later Doongerwadi. I " " * ' ' First of all let us observe whether it is absolutely necessary to keep a dog for the sole purpose of viewing the corpse in the course of ceremonies. In very, very old days, when there were no doctors and medical science was not there, the dog a was the only creature with the ability to | notify whether a person was alive or dead. We used to depend on him, because he had two invisible eyes in addition. Now B the times have changed, and we no longer need such confirmation. Besides, Ms Chothia herself admits that the statement, “A dog helps you to the subject in The Times of India, Sept- Nariman suffered in Bombay as a result cross Chinvat Bridge on chahrum day ” is < - - - ........ .... from the Vendidad — which was written following: many years after Zoroaster ’s time. It was only a practice which then turned into a custom mentioned in the sonalities of the past generation/s — Vendidad. In reality, there is neither a Chinvat Bridge nor a ^og helping us to cross it. Our good or bad deeds decide our after life. The Vendidad is only a law book. Now let us deal with the dog of Mr fished in February 1943 by Thacker and Burjor Italia of Delhi, who used to go on fast “on his own, ” from his first sight of a paragraph on page 291 about the late K. corpse until after the chahrum ceremony. F. (Veer) Nariman being a bachelor: has forgotten that to keep these dogs, ‘never had the leisure to think about mar- hygiene and medical care are also essen- _ tial. In order to keep them healthy, the life on the laws of gravitation and the ex- FARROKH VAJIFDAR Barnet, UK “ the hundreds of persons who visit doon- siana^ April 1990) suggests we should gerwadi for attending ceremonies. If dogs Punchayet would be liable to a penalty, when Mr F. R. Nariman, nephew of Veer Nariman, wrote me a letter. Later, we only had a telephonic talk and I pointed out to him the same published source as the basis of my article. But it appeared that F. R. Nariman was not even aware of the publication of the book. Another point, which F. R. Nariman A. K.KATHAWALLA “Nariman makes a Point” I refer to the letter, B “Nariman makes a has made — and which Keki Mehta has ¦ Point, ” by Mr Keki not — is about the mention in my article ¦ M. Mehta of Nagpur of Veer Nariman “joining the Indian Na- ® (Readers ’Fonim.Par* tional Army (INA) at Singapore at the in- __ siana, March 1990). vitation of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose ” As the author of the original article on after the public humiliation that Veer R ember 1, 1989, please let me state the of the famous “Nariman episode. ” F. R. Nariman says that Veer Nariman never You would agree that the present-day joined the INA and had also not gone to writers, if they have to write about per- Singapore but had only travelled to Ma ­ laysia where he stayed for some time with whom they had not the pleasure to know relatives. But here too, my information personally — can only base their observa- was derived from various English and tions on published sources. Gujarati reports in the Bombay Press of The book. Men and Supermen of Hin- the time and from the records of The dustan, written by Joachim Alva and pub- Bombay Gazette: “ * In sum, I can only assure the Nariman Company of Bombay, carries a lengthy family that the purpose of my article was to honor Veer Nariman and highlight his career on an appropriate occasion. It was In Delhi, there are hardly three or four “Nariman is a confirmed bachelor and not to deliberately distort facts and hurt deaths during a year. The dog, not accus- typical demagogue striding our politics, their feelings, darakadva tomed to seeing a corpse, might have be- The writer remembers dining with him come upset and refused to take food on one night, when the guest of honour was a “Making gOOd, Clcar... sight of a rare corpse once in a few prominent Madras Swarajist legislator. Please refer to Mr Aspi Moddie ’s article months. In Bombay, a dog sees three or who perhaps finding no hostess around (“Making good, clear choices, ” Par- sometimes four corpses in a day, but we and ignorant whether his host was in a siana, March 1990) and in particular to have not observed him refusing to take state of single blessedness or double “systematic contribution from the com- food or drink, due to such, sight of wretchedness, turned round and bluntly munity at large... ” corpses. asked, ‘Where is Mrs Nariman? ’ The Ms Chothia herself admits that the Back Bay hero rose to the occasion, cost of keeping 20 dogs will amount to * . 101 The writer remembers dining with him , one night, when the guest of honour was a ^‘Making gOOd, Clear... It is a shame that although six months have passed since the Congress we have ‘There is no time, ’ he smartly replied to not heard or read about any scheme by the 10 Parsiana August 1990the Athoman Boarding Madressa, the dit­ ties of Chaiye Hame Zarthosti were com ­ posed by “Firoze ” and set to the tune of Goodbye! My Bluebell. HOSHANG BHARUCliA 6,, Parsi Punchayet in this connection. Pos ­ sibly, the same topic will be discussed at the next Congress. b.a.palkhiwalia ^^Chhaiye Hame ZarthostV^ With reference to the querry regarding the song ''Chhaiye Hame Zarthosti” (Read- Membership ruies ers ’ Forum, Parsiana, March 1990), I It is enshrined in the constitution of the have to inform you that the words and Poona Parsi Panchayat that a Parsi mar- tune were composed by the late Phiroz ried to a noh-Parsi cannot become a mem- Batliwala. vistasp a.balsara ber. But, a Parsi having a Parsi rakhat Calcutta (concubine) is permitted to join their elite club! A devout Zoroastrian therefore who Regarding Mr Jal M. Korkhao ’s enquiry attends all religious functions, visits the about the tune of Chhaiye Hame fire-temple, helps fellow Parsis and Parsi Zarthosti (Readers ’ Forum, Parsiana, March 1990), the tune is a Western one, from a song. Bluebell, dating from because he, a bom Parsi, would rather live 5Vorld War I. I cannot recall all the words, but the few I do recall are from what my father used to sing. It goes cally, the same Parsi Panchayat eagerly something like this: ‘ “ Verse: Bluebell the dawn is breaking. Sweetheart you must not cry; Bluebell my heart is breaking. I’ve come to say goodbye. Refrain: Goodbye my Bluebell, Farewell to you; Just one more fond look In your eyes so blue. Verse: There midst the campfires gleam- against the tenets of all civilized religions ing, There midst the shot and shell, I will be dreaming only Of my own Bluebell. There is more to it, but I do not re ­ member. I write this in the hope that chayat had their little women stashed someone else may be able to bring it to mind. Darjeeling VISTASP A. BALSARA Calcutta causes in all ways possible, cannot be ­ come a member of the Panchayat merely an honest married life with a non-Parsi wife than have a Parsi rakhat. Paradoxi- takes donations from the Tatas, the Wa- dias and the Petits all of whom, though married outside the Parsi community, continue their benevolence towards the community. I have not heard of any pan ­ chayat turning down their charity on the grounds that the donor is married outside the community. The Poona Parsi Panchayat rule goes of the world which treat the institution of marriage as sacrosanct and frown upon honest men living in sin with a rakhat. One wonders why this is so? Is it that, in the past, the trustees of the Parsi Pan- away and wanted to protect their posi ­ tion? Even if this was true a few decades ago, why is it that the present trustees have refused to change the rule? I am informed that two of the enlight- Mr Jal Korkhao has requested informa ­ tion regarding the lyricist of Chhaiye ened trustees moved their fellow trustees Hame Zarthosti (Readers ’ Forum, Par­ siana, March 1990). to change this archaic and manifestly stu ­ pid rule but met with a blank “no ” from In the tape of Devotional Songs by Mr the rest at the end of a bitter voting battle. ¦ You may well ask, “Is such an associa ­ tion worth becoming a member of? Would I not be better off outside it?” Kersi P. Mistry, the late Mr Adi Marzban has introduced Chhaiye Hame Zarthosii thus: “To the best of my knowledge Yes, one could shrug one ’s shoulders, Chhaiye Hame Zarthosti was written by turn one ’s back to it and stay out of it. ¦ ¦¦ * ¦ That certainly would be the easy way out. But if we did this every time that blind people stood in judgement, who would take up tlie cudgels on the side of truth the late poet Phiroz Batliwala for a drama of late Mr Kabraji. The tune is from an English song Bluebelle. For further information Mr K. P. Mis ­ try may be contacted at A2/24, New and honesty? Khareghat Colony, Babulnath Road, Bombay 4(X)007. Ms m. r. antta According to a 1932 publication of Parsi stays away from the Parsi Pan- Navjote Shikshak (eighth edition) com- chayat. If rumors are to be believed, one piled by Ervad Burjor Bajan, principal of particular family has over the years mo- There arc over 7,000 Parsis in Pune but only about 900 are members of the Panchayat. The educated, enlightened 12 Parsiana August 1990And yet the Parsi Panchayat sanctimo- I behalf of the whole of the P^sfcommunity of Pune. How can educM^,* enlightened Parsi men and to come forward in large num- rejected as per the norms laid down in our anT"th"^ ^ught on to the board one way or an- many 'ntcHigenl, of itTcXunuTm'em^^^^^ "^What is it that makes the post of trus- educated, Sor do they encourage the system of con- teeTsoughriter? Is it Ae inherent women to "Sine ^xlakhat. The article has been power of the post or the vast sums of bers, "J® . control from published to mislead the community, money and landed property in its funds and take over trustees for Nowhere in the constitution has it been which can be used (or misused) on pro- these people ^bo ha e Parsi/Irani rakhat ox a Parsi/ je^ts supposedly for the welfare of the the past 15 years ot so. ^oroastrian having a Parsi/ti^i ra- lower and middle-class Parsis? 1... . - ' ’ ' ' . light of day in the present or m decade. The Poona Parsi Panchayat has even gone to 1 Zoroastrian Youth cxceUent work that has been put in by Otherw^^^ the Zoroastrians of ^tme together ^^d revive the community. cannot nominate its representative full member on t— - - . The demand for youth representation nity is below 45 years of age. But this group remains unrepresented in Pune. » _______________ ¦ • ¦' S:Zt?7‘uppealU, ’u.em3nyta» ^0 noun any way Irani Zoroastrian having a Parsi/Irani ra­ khat is eligible for membership. This is a twisting and gross misrepresentation ot irailg UCllVl, J V-U — J Poona Parsi Pancnayai nas something J’""® ^hat^is said An article based on the above letter by the extent of excluding the purpose m of Pune Cmdre Mehta had appeared m the tai zx>roaaa.a.. AssociaUon (ZYA) ta S' MotaraAra HaraW dated July 4, im ™Xrs from its board. All know of the and pull it out of mire tt is m^y^ discussed m out excellent work that has been put in by Otterwise e Parsi Pan- board meeting. The article being defama- the ZYA over the last five years to draw totv. it was decided to refer it re a le^ ihe Zoroastrians of Pune together and chayat it is tooay. t» ____ revive uic vuiuuiuiixi-j. -— — Poona Parsi Panchayat president M. C. and publisher. chayat has made it a point that the ZYA roona __ its renresentative as a Kaikoboa replies The trustees of the Poona chayat are which defines the eligibility of member ­ ship. Cmdre Mehta ’s application for mem ­ bership was considered at length and was jects supposedly z pctov **Z ---- ------- u 15 Remember Parsis, you get the ran- —1 deserve. If you want some- the last thing better, you must be prepared to do khat is eligible for membership. This is a Yet the Pan- full member on the Panchayat toard. onlv fair since 45 percent of the commu- ________________________ Tint thi« remains unrepresented in Pune. the Poona Parsi Panchayat be the Poor Parsi Pan- board meeting. The article being defama ­ tory, it was decided to refer it to a legal advisor for legal action against the author parsi Pan- Percy es of the Poona rarsi r^i- > v Doordarshan on governed by their consutution jqqq showed the Parsi commu- fhP. P.liaibilitv of member- April 8, 1990 snowea me nity in very poor light. As a Parsi, I wish to question the direc- ^6d6/taC PROTECTION 8t INTELLIGENCE SERVICES Ahura Mazda Agencies (Manpower Consultants) Federal Trade Agencies fpourier Sendees throi?5^out India) 250. Penn Narima^eet Street Fort, Bombay 400001 Tel 2611926 Tel 2617178 Bombay Poona Consultancy Services Pune 411001 Partners Mr. Dady P. Hataria \ (Courier Services throughout Indio) Mr. Jal B. Contractor Deputy Commissioner of Police (Retd.) Federal Trade Agencies Tel: Res. 8221581 u Parsiana August 1990Kurush Deboo as Percy : fantasy as a mode of coping with loneliness tor Pervez Merwanji ’s reason for pro ­ ducing a film which portrays us as a spineless and aimless community. Why is it that Parsis ridicule their own kind? Why are we always, in all films, portraying Parsis as idiotic and sick in mind? Don ’t other communities also have their problem individuals? They do not make films on them, thus making a mockery of their sect Does the Parsi community comprise only of individuals like Percy and his mother? Don ’t we have a better class of people? If we have to portray an individual, why not an individual who can inspire?...And we have many of these — not only our past leaders, who were giants amongst men, but, also today ’s Parsis who are on top in their respective fields of art, music, dance, industry, sports, law, etc. Why not show that music changed Percy ’s life and he threw off his shackles, stopped being a mama ’s boy and became a new man? This could have inspired the youth, instead of making a negative im ­ pression. It also appears that every Parsi film must have a navjote or wedding scene, and an absolute must is a funeral scene. Furthermore, which other communities portray their personal habits about the honest people, though poor, trying hard to digestive tract on the screen? It was not make ends meet Percy is neither idiotic, funny or humorous. It was downright nor sick. He is lonely. He has aspira- crude and vulgar! tions, he dreams of his past, fantasizes — And what about the other communi- i ties? What opinion would they have of us problems in life. Away from his mother after viewing a film such as this? Today in office, he is responsible and authorita- we are a highly respected minority, but tive. such a film makes us a laughing stock in “ their eyes. Our community has people from vari ­ ous walks of life. If you must show poor , . Parsis and how they live, it is also fair to of people ” in the film? Perhaps wealthy librarianship. This scholarship is not show how the other half lives and their Parsis living in apartments costing almost given for degree-oriented courses in arts, achievements. a crore of rupees would like to wish away Films have a great impact on people, the less economically fortunate members add that all the non-Parsis without excep ­ tion who have seen the film have appreci ­ ated it highly. If Ms Engineer would in ­ stead like to see a film about the greats in our community who have done us proud, she is most welcome to commission me to make such a film and of course she should finance it! Percy is the first film in the history of Indian cinema to be made in the Parsi- Gujarati dialect. It was the opening film of the Indian Panorama section of the Calcutta International Film Festival, 1990. It then won the National Award for the Best Feature Film in Gujarati. It was shown in the market section of the Can ­ nes Film Festival. It has been bought by Channel Four Television, London. The film has now been invited to the Mannheim Film Festival in West Ger ­ many. I hope that soon audiences in Bombay and Gujarat will be able to see Though it is based on a short story by Percy in cinema theaters. That is of Cyrus Mistry about a Parsi youth and set course all dependent on the National in a Parsi milieu, the theme of the film is Film Development Corporation, who are universal. In fact I tried to keep out Parsi the producers of the film. sociology as much as I could. Percy and his mother are good and PatUCK scholarships The aim of the Bai Dinbai F. S. Patuck Memorial Scholarship Fund is to help Zoroastrian women take short-term job- oriented courses after which they can iwi Percy is not a film about Parsis. tions, he dreams of his past, fantasizes — it is one way for him to cope with his support themselves and their dependents. ¦” " ¦¦ ¦ The courses include: diploma in teachers training (both Montessori and kindergarten), handicraft, home science. The film is faithful to the original story nursing, occupational therapy, physio ­ in its truthful depiction of the Parsi therapy, nutrition, studies in computer middle class. What does Ms Engineer science, typing, shorthand, telephone mean by asking me to show a “better class operating, beauty and hair dressing and science or commerce. Young girls from lower and middle- especially the youth. Parsi youth when of our community. Are we to pretend that class families from Bombay and the they see this film can never be inspired or f ' , they don ’t exist? In every other film made mofussil can avail of this opportunity for ~ ¦ ¦ * . In 1989-90, 22 girls received scholarships amounting to Rs 36,4(X). For further information contact the tion has been exploitative. Honorary Secretary, Bai Dinbai F. S. Nowhere in the film Percy have Parsis Patuck Memorial Scholarship, C/o Stri been shown in a negative light. There Zarthosti Mandal, Sir Ratan Tata Insti- Director Pervez Merwanji replies was never any such intention. Yes, there tute, 35, Hughes Road, Bombay 400(X)7. The premiere telecast of the film Percy are scenes of gentle humor, even if it was severely butchered by Door- dwells on personal bowel habits — but mimstntor never a trace of vulgarity or crudeness. Surely we have not lost that lovable trait of laughing at ourselves! I would like to Edited by Amavaz S. Mama proud of themselves. Here was a fine till now where there are Parsi characters, help. • opportunity to inspire the youth of our they have been shown as ridiculous cari- community; unfortunately, this opportu- catures, cardboard cut-outs or their depic- nity was totally lost. Ms GUUSTAN VISPY ENGINEER In 1989-90, 22 girls received severely butchered by Door- dwells on personal bowel habits — but darshan ’s transmission faults, with the re ­ sult that the viewer got a disjointed view of the film. 16 Parsiana August 1990IL Events and Personalities MaliciouS prank? sion when all seven Bombay Parsi train which terminated at Rayagada in " ’ Punchayet (BPP) trustees met at a formal Orissa as it could not proceed further. Xeroxed handbills inviting all and sundry board meeting, according to data pro- When alighting at the platform they on July 12,1990 at 11 a.m. to the launch- , - - • ing of the “first ever Zoroastrian crema- tom Anklesaria at Parsiana’3 request. sengers and flood victims who had al- torium at Doongerwadi ” were distrib ­ uted recently in some agiaries and at the trustees in attendance and another two Bhikha Behram welt The innovation was attributed to the Committee of Eco ­ nomic Revival (CER), Bombay Parsi four trustees present, it is reported. Punchayet (BPP) chairman Dr Aspi , . Golwalla, trustees Jamsheed Kanga and Ihe CyClOPlC navjOtC Jamshed Guzder, BPP chief executive The two Bombay priests, Ervad Jemi Rustom Anklesaria and joint secretary Chama and Ervad Yezdi Panthaki set out Ms Gool Tata, and the editor of The f • - Bombay Samachar Jehan Damwala. The investing the sudreh (sym^lizing advan- vided by the BPP’s chief executive Rus- joined thousands of other stranded pas- tom Anklesaria at Parsiana'3 request. Three of these meetings found six ready converged there trying to brave the wini blowing at 200-250 kmph, “furi ­ ous enough to overturn a train. ” With when five trustees were present. At two other meetings, there were only three and no shelter, no food and no potable drink ­ ing water either, the priests and seven oth ­ ers in the navjote party, including Pouruchaspe ’s matem^ grandmother, spent half the night there. Here, the en ­ tourage accommodated in their midst a for Visakhapatnam with the intention of Punjabi couple and their six-month-old child who were proceeding to the Vizag location of the incinerator was men- tageous path) and kusti (signifying direc- naval base with heavy luggage to take up tioned as “behind Hodiwalla Bungli. ” Commented The Samachar of July 10, on young Pouruchaspe Kapadia. Little “Some cowardly persons who do not ( . . have the courage to come out openly showing the path to Pouruchaspe, the stranger offer them one room in his farm- ¦ ' I of the Visakhapamam house until they could find lodging else- Anjuman president Sorab Kapadia, their where for the two additional nights they had to spend in that town. The optimists, however, were deter ­ mined to make it to the navjote. Willing to take another risk, they managed to convince a Sardarji to rent his personal concept at Doongerwadi. ” In a further nicadon links. The navjote scheduled for jeep even though the driver was most re ­ letter to the Press dated July 12, May 13, 1990 in Eden Gardens at The luctant to venture out. “The party had to Golwalla advised community members Apsara Hotel could not be performed on cross the flood ravaged broken culverts not to be misled by the propaganda and that day as the priests who had left Bom- and bridges by foot in the midst of swirl- to accost the trustees in person with any ' anonymous allegations that may be in circulation. The nonevent — belonging to the what would ordinarily- have been an transport (ST) bus stop. Ultimately one genre of macabre Parsi jokesters who overnight journey, seemed to continue ST bus did take them to Visakhapatnam, used to delight in dampening private indefinitely. well past the scheduled navjote time. The ’ celebrations by sending the hearse for Everytime the train was diverted ceremony was postponed to the subse- tion in which one has to tread that path) the next assignment there. ’ *; Language was another problem. But did they expect that in the process of they were fortunate to have an Oriya have started this irresponsible and mali- grandson cious campaign in order to whip up reli- / gious hysteria in the community. ” The own course would be beset with difficul- Samachar also published a refutal from ties^ Golwalla: “No such proposal is contem- 7 / " • That was the week when a severe cy- plated by, or is before, the trustees of the clonic storm had hit the Andhra coast, BPP nor have they ever favored such a disrupting all ’ transportation and commu- and bridges by foot in the midst of swirl ­ bay four days earlier could not make it to ing waters... Discouraged by the flooded their destination in time. Relating the bridges, the driver refused to ply further experience, Panthaki mentioned that after reaching them to a nearby state genre of macabre Parsi jokesters who overnight journey, seemed to continue used to delight in dampening private indefinitely. „ ¦ Everytime the train was diverted community members who were alive and “there was no surety whether we would quent day. May 14. well — was an attempt on the part of reach any destination or get stranded be- Meanwhile, a new venue for the Parsi othodoxy to malign community tween flooded rivers on the way, ” said navjote was fixed with great difficulty as well — was an attempt on the part of reach any destination or get stranded be- • .< 1 __ It._ ______ I.*.-- fl A ** AA-lzl progressives, noted the Mid-Day of July Panthaki. The journey took them through government officials had thronged the Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, back to area to conduct flood relief work. “Due Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and to scarcity of everything, even the flower Orissa... Finally at Titilagarh they were arrangements could not be made and made to alight and wait for any chance only few petals of flowers collected from, private gardens were available for tan- After a suspenseful wait there came a darosti (showering blessings on the 13, attributing the observation to Dani- wala. Trustees’ attendance During the three months April, May and train that might come. June, 1990, there wasn ’t a single occa- / " 18 Parsiana August 1990newly initiated child), ” mentions Pan- thaki. The rains abated on the navjote day they receive a new verdict they have but it was only after another eight days sought an interim suspension on Murthy ’s that the Bombay party got the return judgement. Chinoy informs Parsiana. train home. For the seven Zoroastrian families settled in Visakhapatnam and all Three officers honored those involved in the organizing, this Three daring officers from the Director- navjote was an unforgettable experience, ate of Revenue Intelligence, Rustom mended at a felicitation function organ- R gone into appeal a second time in the Security Act, notes his bio data. In the High Court of Andhra Pradesh. Until past the highly decorated officer had won the President ’s awards for distinguished and meritorious service and also citations from the Directorate General of Police, Greater Bombay, for “bravery shown above and beyond the call of duty,” as reads the citation. Also connected with India ’s premier In the booklet. The ''jlavjote Ceremony Dhunjishaw Bengalee, Darius Cawasji intelligence service is Bilimoria who was and Sudreh-Kusti, specially compiled for Bilimoria and Hoshang J. Jal, were com- the occasion by Sorab Kapadia, a quota ­ tion from Edward Clode, drawing an analogy with the Zoroastrian spirit, reads, “To ride the whirlwind and command the storm was no easy thing... ” The election question By dismissing the appeal suit filed by the Parsi Zoroastrian Anjuman of Secun ­ derabad and Hyderabad (PZASH), the additional chief judge of the city civil court I. Sivasamba Murthy upheld the earlier judgement declaring the appoint- • ment of Bezun Dittia as trustee of the anjuman invalid. The city civil court ’s , verdict, delivered on June 25, 1990, was r carried in the Secunderabad dailies of June 29. The first assistant judge M. Mastan Rao had in 1988, on an application by Award winning Revenue Intelligence officers: Bengalee (above right) receiving certificate from Dandavate; Bilimoria (below left) and J al conferred the Finance Minister ’s Award, reports the Jam-e-Jamshed of June 10, 1990. On three earlier occasions he had been presented commendation certifi ­ cates for successfully nabbing smugglers with contraband goods. A science and law graduate, in 1976 he had been se­ lected for the customs and excise officer ’s post and six years later was actively im ­ plementing the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act (FERA) in the Enforce ­ ment Directorate at the time of the 1982 Asian Games in New Delhi. Among the relatively new entrants to the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (Bombay 2k)nal Unit) is Jal who was awarded a commendation certificate, reads the Jams. Since his entry in 1987, Jal has carried out dangerous operations in the drive against smuggling, tax eva ­ sion and illicit traffick in foreign ex­ change, drugs and psychotropic sub ­ stances. A commerce and law graduate, Jal had earlier worked as an inspector with the customs and central excise de­ partment, further adds Jame. New post for Billimoria Financial and management consultant, Hoshang Shavaksha Billimoria took over as managing director of Tata Press Lim ­ ited in May this year, notes the Jam-e- Jamshed of May 6, 1990. A director of other Tata companies viz Tata Services and Tata Unisys, Billimoria is also on the Bengalee was presented the Presi- board of Carona Limited, Thomas Cook dent ’s Commemorative Certificate for (India) Limited and several others. For nearly 12 years he was associated with S. B. Billimoria and Company as audit principal and consultant on corpo ­ rate and financial management, market ited with making the highest number of surveys, in-company training programs, seizures. Gold, electronic goods, tex- feasibility studies and executive selec- tiles, drugs and other luxury items worth tion, notes his bio data. Prior to that he was with Whinney ized in New Delhi on May 19,1990, it is Ms Roshan D. Chinoy, decreed that Dit- tia ’s election was invalid. He took into reported, consideration the petitioner ’s complaint that two nominations — of Dittia and doctor-scholar-author Bahman Surti — Meritorious Service for 1989-90 by fi- were considered by the managing com- nance minister Madhu Dandavate. Dur- ¦ rtiittee but only Dittia ’s name was placed ing his 30-year career with the Intelli- before the general body elections of gence Service, Bengalee has been cred- PZASH in 1982. While the appeal suit was pending in the city civil court, Dittia, a retired IAS (Indian Administrative Service) officer, crores of rupees have reportedly been continued to officiate as president of hauled by the senior intelligence officer. Murray and Company, now Ernst and PZASH and simultaneously as vice Often at the risk of his own life he would Whinney, reportedly one of the largest president of the Federation of Parsi nab notorious criminals and has sue- chartered accountancy firms in the UK. Zoroastrian Anjumans of India. ceeded in detaining 27 ace smugglers and Being promoted to the post of a qualified The anjuman body has reportedly seven foreign agents under the National chartered accountant a year before he 20 Parsiana August 1990 tgraduated, he was one of only three pre ­ mium employees in the London office. Thirty-eight-year-old Billimoria has sonnel from the Drug Enforcement Ad- known several firsts during his academic ’ * ” career. His education was at St Xavier ’s School and later at the. Bombay Univer- fitted from Mistry ’s coaching. pert Sensei Pervez B. Mistry, notes The region decided to organize this workshop Times of India dated June 5, 1990. Per- with a view to improving knowledge of dentistry among the new generation of ministration and the Atomic Energy dental surgeons. It was reportedly for the Security Force are believed to have bene- first time that government representatives concerned with education, deans of dental faculties and officials from dental asso ­ ciations availed of a common platform to deliberate on dental education and oral health. In May 1990 Mistry was invited to London as an observer/advisor on a pro ­ posed health initiative program for Com ­ monwealth countries. Subsequently the decision to constitute a Commonwealth Dental Association was taken. Mistry has also been invited to address a joint meeting of dental deans and educators at the World Dental Congress scheduled to be held in London in September 1990, further reads the release. From left: corporate consultant Billimoria, banker Javeri and karate exponent Mistry During his stay in Europe the karateka . , also demonstrated atemiwaza, the art of Zenia breaks Asian mark paralysing an opponent with a single 'The first Indian woman to run the 100 m technique, reports the Jam-e-Jamshed in under 12 seconds and in the process of June 10. better the Asian record was ace sprinter The findings of a research study on Ms Zenia Ayrton, notes The Times of Asian Junior Track and Field Meet held sity from where he graduated in com ­ merce. „ - He is on the board of governors of the behavioral patterns among sportsmen — India of Jun^ 14, 199(1 At the ThiM in Beijing from June 13 to 16, the athlete magazine that was circular^ in the UN clocked 11.95 seconds to win the bronze ¦ " in the 1(X) m run. She was also included in dents, UN security officer Jimmy Irani, the 4 x 100 and the 4 x 400 m relay squad Institute of Internal Auditors (India) and jointly conducted by Sensei and his co- was past president of its Bombay chap- student Dr Cherian — were published in a ter. Rotarian Billimoria ’s other interests i ..... include photography and aquatics, fur- office. It was one of Mistry ’s former stu- ther reads the bio data. <2----- -- - . ’ who introduced him to the international selected by the Amateur Athletic Federa- Grindlays’ GM body, adds the Jame. tion of India. The newly appointed general manager, A founder member of the All India Earlier, in May this year, at the Fifth management services, of ANZ Grindlays Karate Federation (AIKF), for the last 25 National Junior Athletic Meet in Muzaf- Bank, Nani Javeri ’s responsibilities in ­ clude supervising the credit and human resources functions, notes The Times of India of May 5,1990. Javeri has had 17 years of experience in credit functions and while at the Grindlays Bank headquarters in Mel ­ bourne, was with the human resources division, notes a press release. Forty- four-year-old Javeri had, for some time, worked in the Bank ’s London branch too. Prior to studying for the London Insti ­ tute of Bankers examination, the banker ' had graduated in history and economics years Mistry has been running the Acad- A founder member of the All India MistryU^): imparting dental knowledge Aryton: accolades for "Track . Princess^ __ ______ ____ __ ____________ _______ farpuf, Bihar, Ayrton became the ‘Track from ’ St Stephens College, Delhi. His emy of Martial Arts that he established. Princess ’ when she completed a sprint other interests include billiards, reading it is reported. double, reads the Jam-e-Jamshed dated and western country music, further notes , May 27, 1990. She won the 100 m race the press release. Dentist in the ChaiF with a timing of 12.3 seconds and the Chairing an international conference on 200 m in 24.9 seconds. This being the Mistry trains UN force “Dental Education and Dental Health — last time that the ‘Track Princess ’ com- The United Nations (UN) security per- the need for a change in perspective ” in peted at the junior national level, she was sonnel based in Vienna, Austria, were given a special month-long training in unarmed combat by Bombay ’s karate ex- Dentist in the chair Chairing an international conference on “Dental Education and Dental Health — Japan in end March was noted Bombay a trifle dejected at not being able to im- orthodontist Dr Keki Mistry, notes a press prove on her 200 m record of 24.7 sec ­ release. Countries of the Asian Pacific onds, reports the Jame. 22 Parsiana August 1990I Rana’s ‘Still Life’ “Life here is captured not in its frenzied moments of passion but rather in its inter ­ ludes, in the far longer periods of perfect stillness. ” This was the mood conveyed by artist Behram Rana in his exhibition titled “Still Life” at the Taj Art Gallery from May 8 to 15,1990. In this, his fifth, exhibition in Bombay, the artist managed to sell nearly 80 per ­ cent of his 42 paintings on display, he in ­ forms. Forty-seven-year-old Rana claims Artist Rana with his water color painting, Still Life in two straight sets at the meet organized by the Cricket Club of India (CCI) and sponsored by ANZ Grindlays Bank in mid March 1990. At the Western India Tennis Champi ­ onships held in Nagpur, Billimoria, near ­ ing 60 years of age, lost the single ’s title to Hiralal Das but with his colleague suc ­ ceeded in winning the doubles ’ title against Das and his partner by a comfort ­ able margin. “I want to give back to tennis at least a small percentage of what it has given me,” says Billimoria who was manager- cum-coach of the Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association (MSLTA) that participated in the Western India Champi ­ onships. He also serves as executive committee member and counsellor of the MSLTA, further reports the paper. The avid tennis player makes it oils. His paintings are in the collection of a point to daily frequent the Born- Larsen and Toulwo Limited, Air India, bay Gymkhana and the Wode- Bank of America and also in the United house Gymkhana for practise sessions, Arab Emirates and Bangladesh, it is re- notes Jami. ported. ______J_ _ __ trio and Toubro Limited, Rana paints in his Veteran teillllS player Western classical music lovers were treated to an “enjoyable evening ” when soprano Ms Dilshad Khambatta, violinist - . _ _ Zubin Behram-Kamdin and pianist Ms with water colors before he switched to shed of April 15, 1990. He beat his rival Mehroo Jeejeebhoy performed at the to derive his inspiratitm frcrni the environ ­ ment in which he functions. Presently a senior visualizer in Larsen free time during lunch breaks or after of- At the Open Veterans ’ Tennis Touma- fice hours. A graduate from the J. J. ment, top-seeded Dara Billimoria won School of Art, Rana first began painting the single ’s title, notes the Jam-e-Jam- With Best Compliments From * FIRST LEASING COMPANY OF INDIA LIMITED Registered Office: 749, Mount Road Madras 600002 Tel Nos: 860705/860715/860725/862757 Grams: FIRSTLEASEYoung Talent Concert in Bombay. The sonable rates, informs Brig Adi K. booklet can write to Sahukar at Straw ..uxKcx X.. X. _ _____ ________ Products Limited, Link House, 3, Ba- The Dharamsala in Delhi is located hadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi 110002; telephone number 3311112 or 3321186. program on April 11,1990 was organized Sahukar in a letter to Parsiana. Uiw X ^OV*\ZB**** -- ----- -- - ---------- Arts (NCPA) and the Time and Talents close to Delhi Gate and atj convenient an industrial complex and places of his ­ torical interest like the museum tmd art SPOTLIGHT Member of the Legislative Assembly Dharam^la, Delhi Gate, Bah^ur Shah been appointed chairm^ of the Wvi- ing her on'3818651 or 3317228, in case ing a record in the history of the Maha- of unexpected last-minute visits, the rashtra State Legislature, notes a press by the National Centre for the Performing Club, and sponsored by VST Industries distance from the central shopping area. Limited. an industrial complex and places of his- Khambatta ’s rendering of 13 songs I from composers like Mozart, Schubert, gallery. Though prior reservation is rec- Tchaikovsky, etc showed that she could ommended by writing to the manageress hoc sing “with spontaneity and interpret songs Ms Dhun Bagli at the Mengusi P^si (MLA) Marazban J. A. Paba^la 1^ wilh style Md perception, ” noted critic Dharamsala, Delhi Gate, Bahadur Shah been appointed chairman of the ^v - AdiDtKtor in hfreview in the Mid-Day Zafar Marg, New Delhi 110002 or phon- Committee for toe fifth ti^ of April 20 1990. "Dilshad ’s voice may ing her on 3818651 or 3317228, in case mg a record in toe history of toe Maha- be a little toin and lacking in volume in of unexpected last-minute visits, toe rashtra State Legislature, notes a press toe lower register but she had competent booking position could be checked with release. technique and displays a feel for what she her even after reaching toe Delhi airport sings, ’’ noted Sheryar Ookerjee in The or railway station, writes Sahukar. Rusi S. Cooper has been reelected jKesi- Independent of April 18. Though Behram-Kamdin played with sensitivity a piece by Prokofiev, toe im ­ pression he convey^ that evening was that “his heart was not in toe work. ” Jeejeebhoy was commended for her Service. “tonal control throughout, ” helping the The booklet provides information on two youngsters perform with a “good different openings in toe armed forces, <_____ ____ __ ___ _ AncrinAArina nnd tftchnolOffV. If seeking information on career open- dent of the executive committee of the ings, Sahukar recommends the use of the Bombay and Nhava-Sheva Ship-Intermo- Career Information Guide, published by dal Agents ’ Association for the next two the Rotary Club of Delhi South under the years, notes The Economic Times of auspices of the Directorate of Vocational April 14,1990. The booklet provides information on At the Artist ’90 talent contest, the first prize in the make-up category went to degree of aesthetic understanding. ’' H^planni™\o^iTit Delhi, avail of “the public relations with relevant details on comfortable boarding and lodging facili ­ ties ” at the Mengusi Parsi Dharamsala on Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg at very rea- medicine, engineering and technology, beautician Ms Dolly Tarapore of Up- computer science, management, com- To-Date Saloon, Byculla, reads the Mia- merce, education and journalism, and Day of March 28,1990. The contest was To-Date Saloon, Byculla, reads the Mid- qualifications and institutions where such Therapy and Cosmetology, India. coaching facilities are available. __-------------------------------------- Those interested in a copy of this CompUed by Roxana H. Kaki With Best Compliments When In Bombay Contact LEACH & WEBORNY For attending to your laundry. They are Launderers & Dyers of repute. They will also attend to your carpets for cleaning or dyeing. * * * 66, Off E. Moses Road, Worli, Bombay 400018 Phone; Head Office 274294 Factory; 4924384,4925644I ZOROASTBIANS ABROAD Conflicting convictions Despite increasing activities, incompatibility of ideas continues to vitiate the atmosphere in the United Kingdom Arnavaz S. Mama “The Birkbeck College of the University gious and social services of our Associa- rokh Vajifdar which has rendered the tion. ’’ ZTFE’s paid up membership — slumbering Zoroastrian House Library including both life and ordinary mem ­ of London, through their chairman Lord Combermere, approached me as Presi ­ dent (of the Zoroastrian Trust Funds of bers — numbers 1,000, writes Sethna. Europe: ZTFE) to start Zoroastrian study There is also a non-fee paying old age classes for citizens of the UK which the pensioner (GAP) membership, it is managing committee has approved. The stated. classes will start in September 1990 at Zoroastrian House. Dr (Ms) Rashna youth weekends are being planned at “The net assets of the Association Writer is formally appointed as the first Zoroastrian House in London where have increased by some £ 75,000 in the tnVa lharr. czA.. f;... “youth from all Over England are invited last three years, due to the prudent man ­ agement of the finance committee, the trustees and the brokers, to whom we are ers ’ company. ” Other activities in the very grateful. ” offing are a gara competition, cooking operative. The report refers to the need for larger premises and reiterates the Association ’s “cherished dream of establishing an agiary or dadgah. ” However, two other On the social front, Sethna says that claims in the report have drawn flak: Dr (Ms) Rashna youth weekends are being planned at teacher to take these classes. For the first time in this country, Zoroastrianism will by the Association to provide an opportu- be taught as a subject to any one who nity for them to meet and enjoy each oth- wishes to leam about Zoroastrian history and faith. ” offing are a gara competition, cooking An open letter to ZTFE members The information is part of a letter to classes where Parsi/Irani dishes are from ex president Shahpur Captain dated Parsiana from ZTFE president Zal taught, classes for learning to stitch November 11, 1989 states, “Nowhere in Sethna dated July 19, 1990. Sethna also sudrehs and weave kustis. The managing notes that the ZTFE has launched study committee ’s aim is to provide the com- classes for Zoroastrians on a permanent munity with opportunities to leam about port? ” Captain further observes “Since basis with a syllabus covering Zoroas- ‘ - — trian history, doctrines, traditions, rituals, prayers and the Avesta language. The in every Zoroastrian home by the grace being declared ‘losses ’ of the Associa- recently formulated ZLoroastrian Educa- of Ahura Mazda, ” adds Sethna. tion. In my view, the true losses are at tion Team (ZET) comprises teachers, Mahiar Ardeshir, Shahriar Mahani, least £ 34,000. In the last three years, the students, mobeds and members of the Meherwan Sepai and Filly Maravala committees have never even considered ZTFE managing committee, notes were the four voted to the managing what action to take to stem (the) losses. ” Sethna, placing the weekly class atten- committee at the ZTFE’s annual general Captain who had resigned in 1986 (in meeting on November 19, 1989 — the protest against a ZTFE resolution, taken last two being reelected, informs honor- the accounts you will find the expression ‘net assets. ’ So why is it used in the re- the faith and traditions so that “Zoroas- April 1, 1986 the finances of the Asso- trianism may once again be established elation have deteriorated ' by £ 29,039 Mahiar Ardcshir, Shahriar Mahani, dance at 100 students. In an appreciation of global implica ­ tions of Zoroastrian demography, the ary secretary Rusi Dalal. The ZTFE’s ZTFE is said to be making a “conscious annual report for the year 1988-89 in ­ effort to bring closer together those forms that £ 11,000 were raised/prom- Zoroastrians residing outside London...as ised over the next four years in aid of the •well as diose living in Europe. ’’ Thus needy Zoroastrians of Bombay and have improved by £ 75,000 as claimed, community members in Birmingham, Gujarat at the Zoroastrian charity gala then where was the need to call two spe- other parts of the UK as well as in Euro ­ pean cities, notably Paris and Venice, and in parts of Germany, are being con ­ tacted. members in Paris “uplifted the spirits of sian music, dance and culture. The eve ­ ning ’s proceeds of £ 800 were donated to Association ’s property should be held in in his absence, barring non-Zoroaslrian spouses from attending the muktad cere ­ monies and the Farvardian jashan) but had been reelected to the committee in 1988, asks, “If the Association ’s finances Manchester, Leicester, CovenU ’y and organized by the youth at Zoroastrian cial general meetings to increase fees? ” House on May 7, 1988. Also noted is He also refers to a computer worth £ that Iraniaq Zoroastrians regularly attend 1,700 bought in 1988 and questions its al- Zoroastrian House functions and had or- leged placement in Dale ’s residence. A meeting with community ganized a variety entertainment of Per- Captain maintains that he was not only “ ” “ • • — • • . . . _ ____ outvoted on his opinion that the the Zoroastrians (there), ” writes Sethna, ning ’s proceeds of £ 800 were donated to Association ’s property should be held in adding, “They do not feel isolated any the ZTFE. The report also acknowledges Zoroastrian House, but his dissenting more. They can depend on (the) reli- the organizing and indexing skill of Far- view has not been recorded in the min- 29 Parsiana August 1990utes despite a repetition of the request at prayer room on the basis that the action ciations elsewhere: that the attendance three meetings of the managing commit- was demanded in “petitions signed by dropped from 1,067 in 1988 to 771 in tee. around 200 Zoroastrians and the majority 1989 (thereby contesting the official Another statement in the annual report decision of the committee members was ZTPE stand); that the time for reciting of 1988-89 which is at variance with the in response to those petitions. ” (In his the names of the deceased increased claims of the opposing group in London letters Cowasjee has challenged the au- from 15 minutes in 1986 to 60 minutes in is that “growing numbers of Zoroas- thenticity of these petitions, claiming that 1989. “A payment of £ 15 is required trians...attend the muktad and Farvardian several signatures were those of young for reciting four names. What about the prayers (which) is an indicative feature children.) It rejected Cowasjee ’s demand poor who cannot afford to pay? ” asks of a vibrant Zoroastrian community. ” for a referendum on the issue because “a Cowasjee, covering one aspect of the The report also notes that on September referendum will divide and split the com- ceremonial recital. He then informs that 11, 1988 “a large crowd of over 200 munity and even families, ” and further during the hour-long recital he observed Zoroastrians attended the Farvardian noted that according to the memorandum the majority talking, reading circulars, prayers at Brookwood Cemetery. ” Noshirwan Cowasjee, who has been “Only fully paid up members of the Asso- spearheading the campaign to restore to < ‘ non-Zoroastrian spouses the right to at ­ tend muktad ceremonies and the Farvar ­ dian jashan as they had done prior to the will not constitutionally bind the Associa- embargo in 1986 (since then they may sit tion. ” It further notes that “The demo- only in the room adjoining the hall where cratically elected committee is empow- prayers are said, clarifies the ZTFE posi- ered to take all decisions affecting the the prayers and merely supplying our tion paper dated November 7,1989), as ­ sessed the attendance at the ZTFE’s Far ­ vardian jashan on that occasion at 153 beliefs of the Zoroastrian community at adults in his letter to community mem ­ bers dated October 19,1989. In the position paper the committee to the community raises other points and destroyed social cohesion, ” and asks, defended its resolution barring non- about the mukiad ceremonies that may •**’ o Zoroastrian presence in the muktad be as applicable to anjumans and asso- »> and articles of association of the ZTFE, newspapers, etc, comparing shopping notes, walking out for fresh air or re ­ freshments. He also notes that on one ciation can vote on any resolution affect ­ ing the Association, hence a referendum occasion while the 1989 muktad ceremo- of the community will be ineffective and nies were in progress, two officials of the managing committee were busy on a fund collection drive. “What we are doing is asking our priests to get on with Association on behalf of its members and physical presence. This is not religion are duty bound to safeguard the religious but mere religiosity. ” Observes Captain in his above-quoted large. ” letter, “Religious fanaticism brought Cowasjee ’s letter of October 23, 1989 countries to a position of near bankruptcy ¦'Do we as an association and a commu ­ nity wish to go that way? ” WITH BEST COMPLIMENTS FROM J.M.BAXI & COMPANY Steamship Agents, Stevedores, Licensed Custom House Agents & Transport Forwarders 16, Bank Street, Bombay 400023 Telephone: 2863871,2860381 Telex: 82549,83439,84172 Fax: (22)2619908 Branches at all the East and the West Coast Ports of India We specialize in transporting ODCs over long distances, difficult terrains, weak bridges etc. J. M. Baxi & Company are pioneers in carrying 400 tonnes Ammonia Convertor at distances over 1,500 kilometers from Kandla to Guna in M. P. for National Fertilizers, Vijaypur Project. J.M.BAXI: GETS THINGS MOVING 30 Parsiana August 1990bl ZOROASTRIANS ABROAD BEING PARSI GIVES OBJECTIVITY Arnavaz S. Mama zz Bapsi Sidhwa views the community through the eyes of a novelist “In our countries the written word still groups of Iranis and Parsis. According to carries a lot of weight. In the West, f “ ‘ ‘ _ _____ people throw the book away after read- offended very fast. (It is) very difficult to that their dreams have misfired^ When ing it,” says novelist Bapsi Sidhwa. In work with them (yet) they socialize a lot they stick together (there ’s) a network to the course of a freewheeling interview with Parsiana on December 28, 1989 Zoroastrian heritage, feels Sidhwa. In Sidhwa shared a number of observations, < particularly about the community as a lives: “There ’s only mom, dad, kids and whole and its experiences in P^istan, TV” and “they definitely tend to look her home base, and the US where she has down upon us. ” been teaching creative writing and re ­ viewing books. The Pakistani Parsis are “thriv- ing, prospering, ” says Sidhwa. | “There is still a strong entrepre- . | neurial spirit. Those going abroad., are doing so in fairly good style. Probably the climate in India is L’ much more competitive than in f Pakistan where Sidhwa says Mus- lims prefer to employ Parsis be ­ cause they have a reputation for honesty. Sidhwa ascribes this fa ­ vored status to the community ’s re ­ stricted numbers — 3,(XX) in Kara ­ chi and 92 in Lahore. “If we were I 60,(X)0, we might have come in for I attention and envy! ” Sidhwa says she was shocked to discover that Americans do not con ­ sider Zoroastrians among the South Asian minorities, but feels that Par ­ sis are much better off in India and Pakistan than in North America: “I ' through that experience again!... can ’t speak ofindian Parsis but those rea- land, ” Sidhwa says, the Parsis “think “We are also becoming fundamentalist sonably well off have a better quality of they ’re going to mix with the whites. ” But — arguing and quarrelling about little life in Pakistan. (There is time for) hu ­ man interaction, for leisure... ” The com ­ munity in the US consists of splinter % ?» 32 Parsiana August 1990 I their culture is akin to American and Brit- Sidhwa, the Iranis are “very touchy, get ish culture, but once there, they realize with Parsis. ” Socializing is a part of our fall back upon. (Otherwise, there are) too „ . I many cases of Parsis dying in isolation, contrast, the Americans lead isolated being found only after three or four days. ” ' ..........................She recalls a family from Lahore that left soon after Partition, now scattered — iso ­ lated, unhappy individuals in North America. In the context of the Parsis ’ declining numbers, Sidhwa refers to the expe­ rience of children of Parsi fathers who see their non-Parsi mothers almost ostracized by the community and begin to resent their faith. “If the community accepts the mother (into the religion) a lot more (of the children) would remain Zoroastri ­ ans. ” People argue that children should be counselled into marrying within the fold, says Sidhwa who recounts how she had prevailed upon her daughter, who wanted to marry an American in Lahore, to give up the idea. “But without friends and connections, you cannot find anyone suitable. ” Though mother and daughter dutifully made a trip to Bombay, Sidhwa found it a ‘humiliating experience. I wouldn ’t want to put any daughter of mine Referring to the “very utopian dream of Parsis that America will be (their) ¦' H W' III i mMI... land, ” Sidhwa says, the Parsis “think the average American whites think differ- things. ” She refers to the controversy in ently. “Traditionally and culturally (we) London about non-Parsi spouses no can ’t interact with them... Parsis feel longer being allowed to attend thef I muktad ceremonies and Farvardian jashan shifted to Houston, Australia and other tion, adopted by the lone Pathan who sur- on grounds of ritual purity since the past places. Sidhwa recalled Lahore ’s Navroze vived that particular bout of carnage and three years, an attitude which Sidhwa de­ scribes as “suicide for the community. ” As Sidhwa reasons it, ‘Tarsis haven ’t pation — a good meal cooked and served marriage to a tribal Pathan and her flight gone in for much literature; their concepts by Parsis. “Last year, for the first time, and thought processes have become ar ­ chaic. The anachronism is particularly apparent among those “with strong west ­ ern pretensions (who) still keep up with piano playing and learning the ballet! ” Those going abroad may pioneer new rules, feels Sidhwa, but they may be too few to affect the community. The re ­ forms should come where the community is concentrated as in Bombay or Karachi. In Lahore, since the past two years, a handful of men and women living around with. ” So this year they combined the hore, uncannily highlighting the unin- the agiary have been looking after the young and the old and organized sporting tended humor in Parsi life-styles and fire. A few months ago they managed to events “which even middleaged women acquire a mobed from Singapore after an intensive search and, she adds, he gets a free house and a very good salary. Nee quired her to pass the matric privately and Martins Press in the US, followed by pa- Bhandara, Sidhwa ’s father ’s family can trace their roots in Lahore over more than 200 years, she says — “a little Parsi fam ­ ily tucked away in Muslim society. ” At write 18 years ago. The first book to be are, they ’re slightly marginalized, ” says Partition there were more than 300 Parsis written. The Bride, recalls the fate of a Sidhwa. Her latest novel. The Ice-Candy- in Lahore, but now a lot of families have girl orphaned by the dementia of Parti- Man (see review by Geeta Doctor on get-togethers for a day of sports which did raised in Lahore, the “Paris of the East ” not exclude the inevitable Parsi preoccu- The girl ’s second nightmare began on her from a life and code of conduct she could neither comprehend nor accept. The tale, told in a bare 245 pages, was prompted by a story Sidhwa had heard while on a holi ­ day in the inhospitable North West Fron ­ tier Province. But the book collected re ­ jection notes. Its “locale and timing were too remote from what Americans are used to, ” says Sidhwa. Nonetheless a second book followed — The Crow Eaters', a rambunctious ac- there were no young people to hold sports count of a pioneering Parsi family in La- Parsis’ concepts and thought processes nave become archaic” (( habits — which was initially published in like me could indulge in. ” Pakistan. Within three months it was Sidhwa ’s secluded upbringing re- also published by Jonathan Cape and St “picked up everything while I just lived in perback editions, my books as a child. ” She claims she was an ordinary housewife when she started to their environment because wherever they “Parsis are ideally suited to reflect 1 “Wow!" What a fantastic- wonderful World! Asiatic Travel Service The House of Travel 12, Murzban Road, Fort. Bombay 400 001 Ptxxie: 204 8151 \\ G-3, Konark Apartments, 175 Dhole Patil Road, Pune 411 001 Ptwne; 668493, 666431, 667943 This denizen of the skies needs NO TRAVEL PLAN....... YOU DO!! That ’S where ATS will help you to discover the delights of our enchanting Planet, We plan and arrange exciting, happy holiday ' packages and trouble ' free travel!!! In the service of the Traveller for 43 eventful years APM'ATS-B9-2I Last year, for the first time, there were no young people to hold sports with” (( lished in their own country. It gives their career a boost, ” she advises. Sidhwa was in India at the invitation of the Indian Council of Cultural Relations, thanks to noted journalist Khushwant Singh. However, her Bombay stay was not altogether pleasant. That very day she had lost her handbag with pens, money and credit cards in a taxi, in the course of a shopping expedition. Fortunately her passport and green card were safe at the Oberoi Towers. And Sidhwa took it all in her hospitable, gracious, gregarious stride... Bapsi ’s husband Noshir is involved in page 92) is a view of life in Lahore where into fiction writing, music... In the US, she grew up, as seen through the eyes of a the loss of a sense of identity is common Parsi child, reflecting the great convul- to Hindus, Muslims and Parsis. The emi- sion of Partition as it must have appeared grant experience of parents and commu ­ te Bapsi as a child — an amalgam of hor ­ rific history and daily trivia: “The Parsi child is a useful ploy because she sees the world without prejudice, sees people as people. Being Parsi gives objectivity. It has been termed unique because harrow ­ ing scenes... burst into the comedy of The Crow Eaters. As soon as I write about Parsis everything bursts into fun and hu ­ mor. (We’re) basically fun-loving, gre ­ garious people (who ’ve been) brought up nity interactions with other minorities and in the tradition of Parsi nataks (plays) host societies ” finds a ready market for business in Houston. And while she was which, despite being crude or vulgar, publishing. there with him, reviewing books for TAc were great fun. ” The works of Indians and Pakistanis Houston Chronicle, people at the Univer- Even in India and Pakistan where the living abroad are being published by the sity of Houston “got to know there ’s a Parsis interact with other communities, universities, says Sidhwa. “To live in “come out in their own voice... not Pakistan and be published there is a mir- (only) mimic the West, we are not en- i ' " ~ trenched in the indigenous milieu. ” The Sidhwa spent collecting rejection notes graduates at Columbia University. ... * _ . • With two daughters and one son — of her. “You get embittered when you ’re whom only the younger daughter is un- When one is “not absolutely not read, ” she confides. The publication married — Sidhwa attributes her fulfilling new writer in town ” and she got into teaching creative writing there. She also acle. ” The seven to eight years that conducts creative writing programs for resulting objectivity is “very necessary was an unhappy, frustrating period for to the author (as it) creates strong ten ­ sion. ” ............................. happy, (the state of mind) is conducive to of The Crow Eaters in Pakistan “gave it life to destiny. “I couldn ’t have done it on . my own... Definitely Fate, what else? ” creativity. (It seeks) an outlet, bursts worth. Young writers should first be pub- DINSHAW SHAPOORJI & CO 414/3, Kasarwadi, Bombay-Poona Road Pimpri, Poona 411034 Branch Office Bombay Grams : Phone Telex Poona Grams : Pimpri Phones : Phone Poona Telex : 92-C Mohamedali Road, Bombay 400003 “Motor Truck” 323977,339718 011 76597 DSA IN “Truck” Poona 87033, 83055, 83056 662052 0146 204 DIN IN TRANSPORT CONTRACTORS LUXURY COACH & STAFF BUS OPERATORS I 37 Parsiana August 1990ZOROASTRIANS ABROAD made payable to “Vancouver Foundation, J. K. Pavri Fund ” and addressed to #230, One Bentall Centre, 505 Bunard Street, Vancouver B.C. V7X 1M3, Canada. An The Pavri Memorial Fund The Jamshed K. Pavri accompanying slip must bear the date of Memorial (JKPMF) has been es- dress, amount and the currency in which tablished in memory it is remitted. Receipts issued directly by of the lat^ community the Foundation will be valid for taxation chronicler, long-term purposes depending upon the law in the honorary secretary of the Zoroastrian So- donor ’s own country, the letter notes, ciety of British Columbia and father fig- . , ure to all Zoroastrians in the New World. ParslS aS image bUlIdcrS Initiated by his wife Roda and son Yezdi “There are many factors which COTStitute with a deed of gift of $ 10,000, the Fund our image. What we think about our im- will be administered by the Vancouver age and what the public perceives could Foundation, a non-profit, non-govem- be two entirely different things, ” noted mental public charitable foundation computer expert Maneck Bhujwala, past whose board of directors consists of 12 president of the Zardiushti Anjuman of distinguished British Columbians, includ- Northern California (ZANC) in his ad- ing the chief justice of the province, in- dress delivered to the first Pacific regional forms a note from the Pavris. The Foun- convention of the National Federation of dation holds as a perpetual endowment Asians of Indian Origin. the capital gifts, bequests and assign- Fund contribution, the dcmor ’s name and ad- the capital gifts, bequests and assign- “Today die nation ’s economy is rela ­ ments of more than 420 trust funds, they tively prosperous. Tomorrow may bring a inform. depression. If we neglect building the The investment income from the right image today, we will not have the JKPMF will be distributed in equal meas- majority support when we need it most, ” ure to the late Pavri ’s four favorite chari- Bhujwalla told the assembled Indians at ties/activities: the Canadian Red Cross; the Hyatt Hotel at Palo Alto, California Operation Eyesight Universal, Calgary to and recalled the “alienation, harrassment, be directed to Operation Eyesight for violence and officially sanctioned dis- work in India; the Zoroastrian Society of crimination ” which Indians suffered in British Columbia for the purchase of lit- Uganda, Kenya, Zambia, Malaysia, Eng- erature wi Zoroastrianism for the library land and the Fiji Islands because they ne- of the Society and to promote study of glected their image. The violence of the Zoroastrianism among children, youth Dotbusters (anti-Indian teenaged gang- and adults; the Canadian chapter of the sters who mugged Navroze Mody to Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of death in New Jersey in 1987) was nearer North America (FEZANA) to provide as­ sistance to a worthy student studying :_________ . ; til this chapter is established, the amount of the initial landing in Sanjan, Bhujwala due to it will continue to revert to the cor ­ pus of the endowment). “With the Vancouver Foundation man ­ aging the money, not only will there be and the pursuit of hard work, honesty and accountability and security of funds and charity and urged Indians in the US — easy availability of receipts for the con- whom the American hosts do not distin- tributors, but a considerable saving of guish as Parsis, Buddhists, Sikhs, Hindus, administrative expenses (as) the adminis- Muslims, Marathis, Gujaratis — to send trative fee that the Foundation charges “a clear and resounding message... that against an endowment is only about 2.5 we are Americans first and we will work percent of the income accrued to it,” in- hard for America ’s prosperity and (that) forms the Pavris ’ missive. we want to be equal partners in this enter- Welcoming contributions in any prise called the USA.’ amount, the Pavris ’ directive states, that _________________ cheques, drafts or money orders must be CompUodbyAmavazs. M«m> home, he reminded. Recounting the arrival of Parsis in In ­ Zoroastrianism at the university level (un- dia and the fabled sugar and milk episode went on to illustrate the successful inte ­ gration of Parsis in India via the adoption of Indian dress, language and customs 38 Psrsiana August 1990 APPOINTED VALUERS OF JEWELLERY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA GAZDAR PVT. LTD. Taj Mahal Hotel Bombay Tel: 2023666 2023366 Ext 3204 Telegrams: MANUSCRIPT’RELIGION COVER STORY Maachi: the throne Gustasp Irani To the devout, the ritual feeding of the sacred fire at the change of the gah is a fuller expression of gratitude The sun slides off the sky; a ball of golden red dipping behind a curtain of molten amble: the leveling of the ash on the sur- water. The sleepy township of Udwada face of the afargan (fire holder), the dust- prepares to retire for the day. Two ing, the washing of the marble pedestal on the throne is constructed with six plus mobeds, seemingly bowed by the weight which the afargan stands. Next the one extra stick of sandalwood. These of their flowing grey beards, hobble past a mobed offers the maachi — nine large seven sticks, according to a dastur goat scratching its back against the iron sticks of sandalwood placed in layers scholar, represent the seven Holy Immor- gate of a quaint one-storied building. The over the glowing embers that burst into tals, the Hama Spentas. “There is no road leading to the Iianshah is deserted: brilliant flame, the red-yellow tongues re- special significance as to why the no beggars, no sandalwood peddlers, no fleeted in the polished brass bars set into Udwada Atash Bahram uses nine sticks oatora-biscuit handcarts; only a litter of the masonry that cordons off the holy of and the others seven. It’s just a matter of pups sucking desperately at their impa- holies. The mobed breezes for a moment dent mother ’s teats. Inside the Iranshah before the fire, his white-gloved hands Atash Bahram, there are no electric lights; only divas (lamps), rows and rows, kisses the lip of the afargan, the other Kotwal, High Priest of the H. B. Wadia cradled in bulbous and bowl-shaped glass clutching the metal tongue of a suspended Atash Bahram, Bombay. lamp shades suspended by chains and pul- bell. He strikes. First once, then three se- leys from the roof of the hall. In the soft quences of three bells each. There is feel that the difference is significant, glow of this quiet divinity, the shackles, something mystical and primeval in the “The Udwada fire has come from the the woes of our daily life, melt away. We ritual. A playful child devotee stands still ninth heaven, ” says Ervad Jamshedji slip into the right frame of mind for the in awe, then softly creeps up to lean Andhiarujina, an Udwada priest. maachi we are about to offer in thanks ­ giving for a boon granted. In the inner sanctuary by the entrance, the pealing bells reverberate, sits the mobed; his aged limbs stretched out on an easy chair. His only compan- Every gah (the five parts into which a ions, his thoughts and the sacred fire he Zoroastrian day is divided) we perform being consecrated by the first Parsi ^- ' tends. It is a faint glow now, but the pres- this ceremony in which the badshah is tiers in India, Dastur Neriosang DhavaTis ence of the fire fills the empty, luxuri- enthroned. We call the Iranshah (fire) the believed to have led a team of 16 mobeds ously carpeted room. The mobed ac- badshah — the king, ” says Dastur to the Barot hills. Here he made them knowledges our presence, rises and Kaikobad Phirozeji, High Priest of the stand in eight pairs facing north, south, scuffles to the sanctum sanctorum to per- Udwada Atash Bahram. In Udwada, east and west and the four corners form a maachi at the behest of the laity. It could be an offering of devotion, a plea construct the throne. The first two are side of a stone-carved qfargan which had for divine favor, a thanksgiving for a placed while the mobed is facing east, been filled with dry sandalwood. As the boon granted... “Anything you want, ” the next two while facing south. These sun set, the congregation of priests says one dastur scholar, “but generally it form the four legs of the throne. The started to pray a special nirang. Dark - is an offering of thanksgiving. ” next four form the seat and are placed clouds mass^ overhead and, soon Then commence the rites. First the pre- with the mobed facing west, and right on top is placed a single stick, the backrest. In ^1 the other atash bahrams in India a difference in customs and ceremonies that exist from atash bahram to atash outstretched: one holding the ladle that bahram, ” says Dastur (Dr) Firoze However, many of the Udwada priests An against her mother, the two silhouetted in atash bahram fire is consecrated from 16 the crackling glow of dancing flames as different fires, Andhiarujina explains, 15 being earth fires and one heavenly, "Maachi in Gujarati means throne, namely fire from lightning. When the Udwada Atash Bahram was Udwada Atash Bahram. nine sticks of sandalwood are used to thereof. He stood in the middle by the 40 Parsiana August 1990 kList of atash bahrams in India The list of atash bahrams in India is as 2. Navsari (1765) follows [the year of consecration in 3. Dadyseth, Bombay (1783 — Kadmi) brackets, provided by Dastur (Dr) Firoze 4. Modi, Surat (1824) Kotwal, High Priest of the H. B. Wadia 5. Vakil, Surat (1824 — Kadmi) Atash Bahram, Bombay]: 6. Wadia, Bombay (1830) 1. Udwada (Uncertain though popularly 7. Banaji, Bombay (1865 — Kadmi) believed to be consecrated in 790 AD) 8. Anjuman, Bombay (1895) 8. Anjuman, Bombay (1895) - Timber - Sawmilling - Panel Doors/ Windows - Pallets & Packing Cases - Kiln Seasoning - Chemical Treatment B.F.WADIA &SONS 142 Reay Road Bombay 400010 TEL:8721934,8720235 FAX:8558873 TLX: 11-74571 BFW IN 42 Parsiana August 1990 enough, a shaft of lightning slashed ration of an atash adarian. However, in across the sky and straight into the stone the mid sixteenth century, when Kamto carved afargan where the sandalwood Shapur listed the 16 different fires that , 71___-______ ¦ had 10 he used to build an atash bahram, ordinary lighming, the lighming the fifteenth was listed as the fire from lighming. In his footnotes the author adds: “In India all the atash bahrams have been consecrated with the fire of light- across the sky and straight into the stone burst into flame. “The other atash bah ­ rams use ( , _ for the Udwada fire came from heaven it­ self — the ninth heaven, ” says Andhia- rujina. _ „ “Legend, ” says Kotwal as he dismisses nmg, among other fires. the story. The other dastur scholars con- J. P. F. Shroff records in his essay cur; there is no documentary evidence to Consecration of Iranshah Atash Behram support the story. tit Sanjan, how, at the time the H. B. Details of the 16 fires that constitute Wadia Atash Bahram w^ being built in amongst the Parsis that a fire from light* _____ __________ __ ning was needed. A leading Parsi resi- mazyar Framarz and Others by Ervad dent of Calcutta, Naoroji S. Ban^l^ on that recwds responses given by Iranian the city had caught foe after being s^ck Zoroastrian priests to queries sent to ............ • h— them by their Indian counterparts on what constitutes proper Zoroastrian reli ­ gious rites. In the last quarter of the fif­ teenth century, Nariman Hoshang rec ­ ords that the fire of lightning cannot be used in the preparation of an atash bah ­ ram though it can be utilized in the prepa- J. P. F. Shroff records in his essay support the story. Sanjan, how, at the time the H. B. Details of the 16 fires that constitute Wadia Atash Bahram was being built m an atash bahram fire (see box, “Conse- Bombay (1830), word^ w^ _sprMd cration of an atash bahram fire ”) can be " found in The Persian Revayats ofjlor- Bamanji Nusserwanji Dhabbar, a book hearing that a tree m a Astant suburb o^ by lighming, rushed there to collect the fire which he kept aglow with a constant feed of sandalwood. Later he arranged to have the fire transported by land from Calcutta to Bombay. The other notable difference in the maachi ceremony of Udwada and the other atash bahrams is in the striking of Consecration of an atash bahram fire “The ritual formulated for the consecra- does not explain why, how and when the tion of the sacred (atash bahram) fire differences in the two lists occurred. The seems to have been developed from cer- second list is as follows: Fire used in tain passages in the eighth chapter of the burning a corpse, from a dyer, from the Vendidad” writes J. J. Modi in his book house of kings or ruling aristocracy, from The Religious Ceremonies and Customs a letter, a brickmaker, a fakir or an as- of the Par sees. cetic, a goldsmith, a mint, an ironsmith. The list of fires enumerated there is as an armorer, a baker, a brewer or distiller follows: “Fires used in burning of a or idol worshipper, a soldier or traveller, a corpse, in burning filth, in burning dirt, shepherd, from atmospheric lighming and An atash adarian fire, according to Modi, comprises four fires from: the households of an athoman or priest, a military man, an agriculturist and an arti ­ san or trader. The atash dadgah comprises of only He one fire, any household fire. the fire used by a potter, a glass-blower, the household of any Zoroastrian. a coppersmith, a goldsmith, a silver- ‘ smith, an ironsmith, a steelsmith, a baker, a furnace-worker, a tinsmith, a shepherd, a military man or soldier and a neighbor. ” Subsequently, Modi lists “different fires now collected in practice. ” T'? the bell. “It is only in the Udwada Atash bell is struck. “You must concentrate on Behram that the mobed first gives one the Almighty and the victory of good over stroke of the bell without praying any- evil, ” says Kaikobad. He clarifies, how- thing. He only thinks of the Almighty, ” ever, that there is no hard and fast rule as says Kaikobad. “Only then does he start praying ” with the recitation “Dushmata, duzukhta, duzvarshta (bad thoughts, bad words, bad deeds), ” strik ­ ing the bell three times as he recites each which the holy fire is replenished with word. The maachi ceremony in other divine power, ” says one Udwada mobed. atash bahrams commences with these According to him, as devotees pray be- words. The resonance of the bell is sup- fore the fire they keep drawing on its posed to drive away all evil. One nor- store of divine blessings which is replen- mally does not make a wish when the ished at each maachi ceremony. Hence, .w to what constitutes the proper response of as the bell rings. “You do not make a wish during a maachi because it is the ceremony by How to get a maachi done ‘Don ’t make a vow to perform an ply the boiwalla with the sandalwood: Udwada maachi unless it is very neces- either half or a full kilogram of it. Cur- sary, ” people caution you against treating rently the cost of sandalwood is around a maachi lightly. The reason is simple: a Rs 350 per kilogram and one normally vow made must be kept and the demand pays the priest performing the ceremony for the Udwada maachis is so great, it is Rs 35 or more. difficult to find a free slot — there are only so many days in a year and five gahs allotment procedure is different. Every each day. year, on three predetermined Sundays in The Udwada Anjuman is the govern- September and October, applications ing body which decides for whom a from community members desiring to maachi may be performed at its Atash have a maachi done in the coming year Bahram, says Ervad Jamshedji Andhia- are accepted. The full year ’s quota is rujina of Udwada. Requests have to be normally filled in on these three Sun- addressed to them at least three months in days. However, one may always take a advance. If there are more applicants chance and see if there is a single slot than maachis on any specific day, lots are going abegging. “If you are lucky, you drawn to decide the five lucky ones. might find a few midnight maachis Normally, however, one writes to a free, ” says a priest closely linked to the resident of Udwada to secure a maachi for Atash Bahram. oneself. The reason for this is that a per ­ son living in Udwada can check to see the started a scheme whereby a person may days when a maachi slot may be free, or make a payment of Rs 2,000 for the privi- the applications few so that the chances of lege of having a maachi offered annually succe^ing in the lottery are better. The for a period of 21 years. The interest Anjuman charges only registration fees from Rs 2,000 covers the cost of having and the ceremony is performed on one ’s the maachi performed. The Wadia Atash behalf only when one hands over the reg- Bahram has reportedly started a similar istration slip to the mobed tending the scheme. fire. The cost of the sandalwood used in the maachi and the boi charges to the atash adarian. However the demand for priest, who performs it and prays the a maachi at an atash bahram is greater Tandarosti at the end of the ceremony, is borne by the devotee. ' Obtaining a maachi slot at the H. B. Wadia Atash Bahram in Bombay is option of performing an oar maachi. simple, but only relatively so. According Here, the devotee approaches the to Dastur (Dr) Firoze Kotwal, High Priest boiwalla directly to construct a sandal- of the Atash Bahram, one should ap- wood throne for the Almighty after the proach the boiwalla at least three to four regular maachi has been performed. In weeks before the date when one wishes this ceremony there is no tolling of the to have the ceremony performed. There bell and only a Tandorosti is prayed. “It is no charge for allotting a maachi. A is a kind of consolation maachi” says person asking for the maachi must sup- Andhiarujina. At the Anjuman Atash Bahram, the The Anjuman Atash Bahram has also Maachis may be also offered at an and more so at Udwada. For those unable to get a maachi, at the Udwada Atash Bahram in particular, there is always the 45 Parsiana August 1990 With Best Compliments From NARIMAN NALLASETH PVT LTD Engineers & Consultants 27, Tamarind Lane, Rajabahadur Compound Apollo Street Bombay 400023 Phone Nos: 270066, 272986WITH BEST COMPUMENTS FROM MAZDA MEDICAL ELECTRONICS BURJIS N. KHURSEDJI & CO. 104 Amit Industrial Estate 61 Dr S. S. Rao Road Parel Bombay 400012 Tel: 4135468 Telex: 1171233 MAZD IN Fax: 430 0464-Attn 010 422 0189 - Attn 010 47 Parsiana August 1990 says the priest, it is a ceremony of thanks ­ giving during which you do not draw power from the fire but restore it. Scrap the belief/theory, say the high priests. “It’s all wrong. The power of the holy fire never decreases; in fact it in ­ creases as more people pray in front of it.” says Kaikobad. The tolling of the bell has another sig ­ nificance too. “Very likely the tolling sound announced the change of guards on duty,” writes the late Dastur K. S. Dabu, High Priest of H. B, Wadia Atash Bahram, Bombay, in his book Handbook of Information on Zoroastrianism. S'dys Kotwal: “In rural Iran the people used to pray five times a day. They would stop whatever they were doing and pray every time the gah changed. They had no watches then and it was only from the tolling of the bell that they knew that the gah had changed. ” A day is divided into five gahs or parts. The first, from sunrise to 12 noon; the second, from 12 noon to 3 pm; the third, from 3 pm to sunset; the fourth, from sunset to midnight and the fifth from midnight to sunrise. All time is cal ­ culated on local time. The gah in which the maachi ceremony is performed is important because accordingly the num ­ ber of Atash Nyaishes prayed by the mobed after striking the bell could vary from 11 to 6. “In an atash bahram a maachi must be compulsorily performed at the change of every gahf says Kotwal. It may also be performed at an atash adarian but here the ceremony is optional. An atash bahram, he points out, is the holiest of fires and is also known as a fire of victory. “You will notice that on the walls of any atash bah ­ ram there are swords, shields, maces...weapons of war. They symbolize the victory of good over evil. ” The depic ­ tion of these weapons of war, according to Kotwal, probably goes back to ancient Iran when the coronation of each new king was marked with the consecration of an atash bahram in his honor. Naturally, the symbols of his authority — the sword, the axe and other weapons — were en ­ shrined with the fire. The legend of Dastur Neriosang Dha- val ’s miraculous lightning bolt aside, there is no documented record of how the Iranshah was consecrated. Says Kotwal: “In the records of the ceremonies and. rituals in Udwada, you will not find any evidence of how the atash bahram fire was consecrated. ” However, he states that the fire was not brought from Iran. With Best Compliments from White Cloud Filter Pads Pvt Ltd Pioneer Manufacturers of Finest Quality Machine Made Filter Pads in the Country 412 Gultekdi Road Pune 411037 Phone 432236 Gram: Filter Pads JMATRIMONIAL Parsi widower with net take-home pay of Rs 4,000 per month invites matrimonial alliance with unmarried Parsi women and also from widows and divorcees 40-50 years in age. Fair, homely and good-looking main consideration. Write with copy of photograph to: The Advertiser Matrimonial (16) Parsiana GPO Box No 892, Bombay 400001 AHAPPy NAVRO ZE From Nargish Art and Printery Private Limited 275-J, New Cama Bldg, 2nd Floor Tardeo, Bombay 400007 Tel; 388096 Dastur (Dr) Hormazdyar Mirza. High Priest of Udwada, in his book Outlines of Parsi History quotes extensively from the Kisseh-e-Sanjan to establish the undis ­ puted fact that the fire was built in India and not brought by the fleeing forefathers from Iran. The Kisseh-e-Sanjan does, however, record that the settlers in India sent emissaries to Khorassan, Iran, to bring back the alat or tools of ceremony required to consecrate the fire. When? The dates are- confused. The issue involves the date of landing of the first Parsis in Sanjan. Popular belief holds that the refugees reached Sanjan in 785 AD and established the Atash Bah ­ ram five years later. Kotwal believes that the actual landing took place around 936 while the building of the Atash Bah ­ ram must have taken more then five years. The historic records of the establish ­ ment of the second atash bahram in India is readily available. Built in Navsari, it is significant for, according to Kotwal, it established the basis on which subse ­ quent atash bahrams in India were conse ­ crated. At the time, scholars and dasturs sat together and searched the scriptures 1916 to 1990 W Years of Quality & Service PARSI DAIRY FARM 261-63 Shamaldas Gandhi Marg Bombay - 400002 Tel 313633-34 48 Parsiana August 1990 Lcleaning machines! 1923-1990 Sixty-Seven years of clean service! DIANA-ECLIPSE For all your carpet and upholstery cleaning. ? "Parag" 27, Peddar Road, Bombay. Tel: 4941987, 4945302 and all the available literature to deter ­ mine the correct Zoroastrian procedures for building an atash bahram. Once an atash bahram has been con­ structed, a commitment has been made: a commitment to keep the, flame alive, a commitment to enthrone the Almighty in maachi five times a day no matter what the inconvenience. And inconvenience it is to the mobeds who lovingly tend the flames. First they have to undergo the purification ceremony before they can en ­ ter the inner sanctuary where the fire is kept; nine days and nights of isolation and trial. “We can ’t touch anyone...we have to eat with gloves... ” says Andhiarujina, giving us a glimpse of the ordeal he has to undergo during this period. We witness the ordeals that follow as he rolls out his mattress on a tabletop and sets his alarm clock. For a few hours he will rest his aged bones. At midnight he will rise and enthrone the king again. While the rest of the township sleeps, in the Atash Bahram an intense and personal act of devotion unfolds as the mobed performs the maachi while the devotees who offer it, look on. STERLING & WILSON ELECTRICALS PVT. LTD. LEADING ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS AND CONTRACTORS REGD OFFICE 70, NAGINDAS MASTER ROAD FORT, BOMBAY-400023 CITY OFFICE ESPLANADE HOUSE, 2ND FLOOR 29, HAZARIMAL SOMANI ROAD FORT, BOMBAY-400001 TEL NOS. 2044177/ 2041882 TELEX NO. oil 5153SWILIN J 50 Parsiana August 1990TRADITION AN INJUSTICE AT DOONGERWADI Arnavaz S. Mama By refusing a Parsi Zoroastrian lady the right to consign her body to the towers of silence, the Punchayet trustees have sparked op a major controversy The high profile that the name Roxan not spelt out. None of them had the dig- When BPP chairman Dr Aspi Jashan Committee, the Iran League, the Golwalla was informed, he allegedly Dadar Jashan Committee and the Coun- took recourse to a so-called BPP resolu- cil of Vigilant Parsis (COVP) among to Nazir, that a Parsi lady married to a on its stand. They also suggested that the non-Parsi cannot be admitted to doonger- Punchayet rescind its tentative proposal wadi for the last rites. In fact, the resolu- to admit in future the bodies of Parsi ­ tion refers to non-Parsi Zoroastrians Zoroastrian women married to non- Zoroastrians. The Bombay Samachar broke the sat for the geh sarna ceremony in the To add insult to injury, Dastur (Dr) Firoze Kotwal, High Priest of the H. B. unjustifiable at law. ” The trustees re ­ sponded with another gaffe in their re ­ ion on the subject in which he alleged, sponse published by The Samachar on The high profile that the name Roxan not spelt out. None of them had the dig- The Punchayet trustees in turn c(mi- barshan Shah has acquired in death nity to check with the parents of the vened a meeting of the orthodox groups might have dazed the shy, retiring, 25- child, ” he added. — the Athoman Mandal, the Bombay year-old girl. Her tragic death on July 27, 1990 in a car accident on the Bom ­ bay-Poona Road propelled her into a ma ­ jor community controversy when her tion passed in 1974 that stated, according them — who congratulated the Punchayet parents, in deference to her wishes, at ­ tempted to consign her body to the tow ­ ers of silence and were refused. They had no option but to have her cremated. That rejection of her inherent rights being denied the right to sit in the bun- set off a legal and emotional tussle that glis while the prayers were being recited, saw thfe community divided between the amongst other things. The resolution had story in its issue of July 29, 1990 under orthodox and the liberals as only once been passed when the orthodox move- the title, “Inhumanity in the name of re- before in the past 20 years. The last time ment was at its strongest following an ligion. ” The following Sunday it pub- a similar confrontation occurred was in incident in which the American daugh- lished a letter from Vakil, legal advisor 1973 when Dr Aspi Golwalla and Shi- ter-in-law of Major (Dr) Adarbad Irani to the House of Tata ,and former BPP avax Vakil, then cotrustees of the Bom- sat for the geh sarna ceremony in the trustee, stating, “The act of denying bay Parsi Punchayet (BPP), entered the bungli. dokhmenashini to a Zoroastrian lady dokhma and Vakil wrote about the unhy- To add insult to injury, Dastur (Dr) married to a non-Parsi is an inhuman act, gienic conditions prevailing there. At the crux of the refusal by the Wadia Atas Bahram, gave a written opin- Punchayet to consign Roxan ’s body to the towers was the allegation that she had among other things, that according to the August 12: “It was not possible to take a renounced her religion by her marriage Vendidad, “to marry outside the fold is snap decision... ” they pleaded. to Darshan Shah, scion of a business ori- ijext to adultery. ” This raised a storm of Presciently, The Samachar, in its Au- ented Jain family. That allegation turned out to be a false one as she was married cUdgels against under the Special Marriage Act of 1954 through The Bombay Samachar's “Parsi dated February 15, 1981. Sawant had which does not require either party to tari arsi" Sunday column. overruled the lower court and upheld the give up their religion. “After marrying under the Special Marriage Act they Daruwala, attacked Kotwal, labelling sis but professing the Zoroastrian faith, went through a symbolic ceremony, ” him “obscurantist and fanatical ” and his said Roxan ’s father, noted surgeon Dr ideas as “mischievous...intolerant...ano- Adi Nazir. “They went round the fire gant... If things are left to the discretion without filing the discriminatory affida- four times, not seven. Neither husband of Dr Kotwal and persons of his ilk, he vits the Punchayet demanded. Since the nor wife took any vows. The (BPP) trus ­ tees said ‘It was presumed that she ’d re- heaven for the true Zoroastrians accord- over the impact of this judgement, which nounced Zoroastrianism and taken up ing to his own distorted concept, ” The they had not contested and under the Hinduism. ’ Their ‘reliable sources ’ were Samachar commented. shadow of which the 1981 Anjuman i ext to adultery. ” This raised a storm of ptest from the liberal lobby who took up gust 5 issue, had already reproduced the Kotwal, primarily High Court verdict of Justice Sawant tari arsi” Sunday column. The editor of The Samachar, Jehan right of Parsi women married to non-Par- to have an equal say in Punchayet elec ­ tions with the rest of the community. may perhaps begin to issue permits to BPP had nine and a half years to mull heaven for the true Zoroastrians accord- 53 Parsiana August 1990Committee elections had been conducted, again an arbitrary spot decision? they could have judiciously reformulated “ . their policies to obviate the need for any Jam-e-Jamshed's Navroze edition of Au- “snap decision. ” On behalf of the Nazir family, solici- bay Samachar on August 26) refers to the against Zoroastrian women married to tor Dinsoo Zaiwalla wrote an official let- problem of ensuring that the women con- non-Parsis while Zoroastrian men mar- ter to the Punchayet stating that “the tinue to be Zoroastrians after marrying ried outside the community, together Zoroastrian rites to which (Roxan) was entitled were denied to her and therefore the trustees need to explain; ” charging tion to record the statement of the advo- that “the trustees (had) failed to apply cates of the concerned Zoroastrian ceremony. They justify this practice on their minds, ” and requesting “a copy of women married to non-Parsis regarding the grounds of the Daver-Beaman judge- the purported resolution repeatedly men- their clients continuing to profess the ment of 1910, according to which the tioned by Dr Golwalla. ” Zaiwalla further Zoroastrian faith and a subsequent letter term Parsi denotes a patriarchal race, noted, “To Dr Nazir and his family the ““ damage is already done and I wonder how it could be reprieved. But, he feels that to remain silent when there is duty to speak is more than default and there would be many similarly placed ladies as Roxan to whom this pain could be avoided... What do the trustees propose to do henceforth or would you still insist that a Zoroastrian body be consigned to the sacred fire which would be against the principal tenet of the Zoroastrian relig- from the concerned attorneys in this be- ion? ” In response, the trustees revealed that of the use of doongerwadi facilities, such represented the Punchayet. The meeting the much mentioned resolution was the a statement in court would be out of was minuted, informed Mistry who com- familiar set of “rules ” yellowing on the question. A good solution could be the mented, “The COVP was the most vocal walls of every bungli of the doonger- affidavit of a near relative to confirm that because its representatives knew all the wadi: “Resolved that the bwiglis are the lady concerned...has not renounced legal points. ” Mistry proposes to move meant for the exclusive use of Parsi or the Zoroastrian faith. ” the court to “undo the harm ” done by Irani Zoroastrians. From the time the sachkar ceremony is started until the response to the BPP’s request for direc ­ time the charum coonony is completed, tions, notes, “I am concerned to no non-Zoroastrian shall be permitted to read...that the trustees have taken a tenta- be present in the hall of the bungli or in its retiring rooms. ” down by the Zoroastrian religion. ” Here it is pertinent to note that while Kotwal castigates all inter-community gust 24, 1990 (reproduced by The Bom- marriages, the BPP discriminates only Trustee Eruch Desai ’s article in the into another community. Referring to Justice Sawant ’s direc- with their children if initiated by the navjote ceremony, enjoy the same rights as Zoroastrians married by the ashirvad The BPP received a number of letters supporting their stand, as Golwalla in ­ formed Parsiana. So the Punchayet de­ cided to host a joint meeting with repre ­ sentatives of various religious and quasi ­ religious bodies on September 5 to ascer ­ tain their views. Among those who at ­ tended the meet were K. N. Dastoor and B. K. Mistry, Ervad Peshotan and Ervad Rooyintan Peer, Jehangir Shroff, Aspi Dadachanji, Cowasjee Dinshaw, Noshir Dadrawala. BPP trustees Golwalla, Jam ­ half to the BPP, Desai notes, “In the case shed Guzder, Desai and Homi Ranina Instead of apologising they are trying to cover up by a series of falsehoods” u M Kotwal ’s letter dated August 22, in Justice Sawant ’s verdict. Another reliable source who was pres ­ ent at the meeting informed Parsiana that everyone was of the opinion that a Parsi woman married to a non-Parsi can ­ not be interred in the dokhmas and re- The letter signed by Golwalla “for Parsi to be consigned to the towers of si- quested the trustees to revoke their in ­ self and on behalf of cotrustees ” also lence if she had got married only under terim decision, but the trustees success- noted, “The trustees have taken a tenta- the Special Marriage Act and not under- fully side-stepped the issue. The meet- tive decision that in such cases ladies of gone the nuptial ceremony or rites under ing lasted for an hour but no decision, as the community who have married outside other religions... The Zoroastrian reli- such, was forthcoming. It appears that the Zoroastrian fold under the Special gious tradition has always been that a girl the BPP has not been able to find a single Marriage Act only will be allowed the upon her marriage not only takes the instance on its records when a. body was doongerwadi facilities provided the trus- name of the husband, but is deemed to thus refused. In its search for support, tees are satisfied that she continues to fol- have embraced his religion. ” To sub- the BPP is said to have asked the ortho ­ low the Zoroastrian religion. ” stantiate his argument Kotwal then refers dox representatives to send as many let- in his acknowledgment to the to the change of nomenclature when a ters to The Samachar as possible and to Punchayet, Zaiwalla ’s letter dated Au- behdin girl marries into an athornan fam- ’ gust 8 notes, “The trustees themselves ily or vice versa! “To marry outside the have, in the letter of August 2,1990 pub- fold is next to adultery, since the mar- lished in The Bombay Samachar... riage is not solemnized according to the ried under the Special Marriage Act of asserted that they were unable to take a rites and customs of the Zoroastrian 1872 (which required the contracting snap decision. How are the trustees religion, ” writes Kotwal, citing the au- parties to abjure (heir religion) the body then going to make enquiries and thority of the Vendidad. For a woman so was consigned to the chotra (a sparsely what sort of enquiries are they going married to claim to be a Zoroastrian used square enclosure where ‘doubtful ’ to make to satisfy themselves within is “hollow, hypocritical and full of cases are consigned) in 1918 by the dis- three to six hours of death whether pretentions ” because “a woman marr- cretion of Dr Sir Jivanji Modi, then secre- the deceased continued to follow ying outside the community cannot tary of the Punchayet Ms Zarine Ali the Zoroastrian faith... or would it be observe the rules of purity as laid Khan who had married under the Special tive decision to permit the mortal re ­ mains of a Parsi lady married to a non- endorse a copy to the BPP. History on this issue is clear. In the case of Ms Soonabai Underwood, mar- 54 Parsiana August 1930MATRIMONIAL fiombay-based, tall, handsome doctor, age 25, interested in settling abroad, seeks matrimonial alliance with an attractive, educated, mature Parsi girl from a very decent family. Wiir prefer a green card . noIder or any foreign citizenship. Write in full detail. We promise confidentiality. The Advertiser Matrimonial (17) Parsiana GPO Box No 892 Bombay 400001 Mhrriage Act of 1954 was interred in the tower on the intervention of the redoubt- __________________ _ __________ able liberal solicitor Rustomji Gagrat in the way of denying the benefit of insti- who threatened the BPP with court ac- tutions... to a Parsi lady who contracts tion. Ms Mithibai Guevret who had mar- marriage with a non-Zoroastrian but who, ried a Frenchman in the American nevertheless, continues to profess the Church had retained her Zoroastrian Zoroastrian religion. (According to) the faith. According to the legal opinion of Bombay Prevention of Excommunication Sir Dinshaw Mulla dated September 3, Act, 1949...to deny to (such) a Parsi 1924: “She is...still a Parsi by race and a Zoroastrian lady the benefit of (commu- Zoroastrian by religion and entitled to all nity) institutions would amount to excom- the rights of property which a member of munication. The Act not only provides t*" be shown that either according to the ten ­ ets of the Zoroastrian religion or accord ­ ing to the custom of the community, she which amounts to w is in furtherance of ceased to be a member of the community the excommunication of any member of a on a marriage with one outside the com- community {History of the Bombay Parsi munity. I think it will be impossible to Punchayet 1860-1960 by Sapur F. Desai, prove either of these. ” pg 104).” Being assailed by similar doubts, in It is high time that the community, led 1956 the BPP had sought the joint opin- by the Punchayet, sheds its ambivalence ion of Sir Jamshedji Kanga and Sir in this regard, in the greater interest of Nusserwanji Engineer who noted, “It harmony and justice. cannot be denied that if a Parsi lady lives with a non-Zoroastrian as his (common law) wife but without going through the In the course of an interview with Par- ceremony of a marriage she does not lose siana on August 16, noted surgeon Ik the benefit of (community) institutions. Adi Nazir recounted the events of that One cannot shut one ’s eyes to the radical fateful July 27, when his pretty firstborn change which has taken place in recent daughter, mother of two boys aged five years in both political and social out ­ look... There is another serious difficulty the Parsi community has in law, unless it that such excommunication shall be void and of no effect, but provides penal con­ sequences if any person does any act A father remembers. WITH BEST COMPLIMENTS FROM ASPI IRANI ENGINEERS & CONTRACTORS Irani Building, 1st floor 80, Janmabhoomi Lane, Fort Bombay 400001 Tel Nos: 2040094,2040267 Tel No (Res): 4950087 <1 56 Paniana August 1990 LMATRIMONIAL A well-settled executive employed in TISCO, Jamshedpur, aged 33, coming from a respectable Parsi family, seeks alliance with a decent, mature and pleasant looking, educated Parsi girl capable of being a good companion. Apply to: Matrimonial (18) Parsiana GPO Box No 892 Bombay 400001 and two, succumbed to a freak accident nine kilometers from Lonavala at 3.30 pm: “I got the message at 4.45 pm and drove down with an ambulance and two friends to bring her back. We left at 5.45 and reached at midnight. Meanwhile a family representative went to doonger- wadi to book a bungli. We never thought she ’d be refused admission. When the booking was done, it was explained that she was married to a Jain under the Spe­ cial Marriage Act but had not renounced her religion and was a practicing Zoroas ­ trian. They accepted the booking. “After some time, maybe an hour or two later, a Mr Poonavala phoned to say that they ’d have to cancel the reservation unless it was confirmed by a trustee of the BPP. So the family members phoned Dr Aspi Golwalla. He categorically stated that a resolution has been passed which states that a Parsi lady married to a non- Parsi can ’t be admitted to the doonger- wadi for the last rites. Because of that they could not accede to our request. “It was explained to Dr Golwalla that she was married under the Special Mar ­ riage Act and that she was a practising Zoroastrian and used to go to the agiary continued on page 108 With Compliments From With compliments of Starlite Electrical Works Electrical Engineers & Contractors 104, Shree Hanuman Ind Estate 42 B, G D Ambekar Marg Bombay 400031 M/s ZARDUST & ASSOCIATES Engineers And Contractors 31/1, Kutika’ Pune-Solapur Road Pune 411013 Tel Nos: 670030, 670494 58 Parsiana August 1990HISTORY TRAVELS IN IRAN: 1 The land that time forgot Even in the late nineteenth century, many a ruined monument attested to Iran’s great past Manekji Limji Hataria Starting with this issue, Parsiana will seri- red thereon, the milk of those heal- had extended to the Ural Mountains in the alize Manekji Limji Hataria’s book, thy animals, the fruits and flowers of west and to China in the easL The country Rishale Ej Har Shiyaate Iran (published many varieties make human life stronger had many arts and industries and its pros- by Union Press in 1865), in six instal- and longer: even today it is so. perity was unsurpassed in the annals of ments. The Gujarati original, rendered into English by Jamshed M. Bilimoria, has been abridged, edited and recollated ables the country to command the ne- by Parsiana (courtesy, K. R. Cama Orien­ ted Institute to whom the translation manuscript was gifted). The author went to Iran in 1854 at the behest of the Society for the Amelioration of the Conditions erf the Zoroastrians of Persia (otherwise known as the Amelio­ ration Society), to report the conditions prevailing there at first hand. He re­ turned only once to India, for an 18- month spell, at the end of the first 10 years. The book is largely a publication of the speeches he then made to acquaint the Parsis in India with the wretchedness of their Iranian coreligionists and to seek help to further the cause of Zoroastrian amelioration in Iran. Having devoted the rest of his life to the task. Hataria died in Iran in 1890, mourned to this day by Ira­ nian Zoroastrians who almost wor­ shipped him as their savior (see "The redeeming of a community,” Parsiana, May 1990). and longer: even today it is so. The geographical position of Iran history. Even today no country of the in the center of the great land mass en- The ancient Zoroastrians, who lived within the boundaries of Iran, called the country Iran-Mino Nis han (sign of heaven) because of its pleasant climate and the fertility of its soil. Iran is also known as Baag-e-Behesht (garden of paradise) because of its unique climate. The mountains of Iran, the springs of sweet water flowing therefrom, the pasture grounds and the animals rea- world appears to have reached that level of prosperity. Moreover, in those happy ighboring lands; in and prosperous days of Iran, the inhabi- ancient times, the tants observed the rules of piety and pu- Iranian Em- rity of body, mind and soul. There were pire no superstitious beliefs and thus they could live a long^ and healthy life. Every Parsi knows today that kings of various Zoroastrian dy- nasties ruled over Iran thousands of years ago. But we have no rec - ord of what happened to their mighty palaces, forts and other monuments. Even those who re- mained in Iran and suffered op- pression at the hands of the Arabs had not the faintest idea of these things. Most of the monuments and palaces were destroyed by the Arabs. They were either broken down or burnt. The great library, which was a treasure house of ancient culture and literature, was ^^^B burnt by the Arabs. To travel in many parts of Iran was not safe under the Arab rule. Permission was required for going from province to province and their spies and soldiers fol- I^^B^ low the travellers and watch their movements and note down their conversation. The traveller had E The portal of Xerxes at Persepolis Photo; A.V.H. Jackson's Persia Past and Present 60 Parsiana August 1990 b> WITH BEST COMPLIMENTS FROM. MAZDA MEDICAL ELECTRONICS BURJIS N. KHURSEDJI & CO. 104 Amit Industrial Estate 61 Dr S. S. Rao Road Parel Bombay 400012 Tel: 4135468 Telex: 1171233 MAZD IN Fax: 430 0464 - Attn 010 422 0189-Attn 010 ?7 Parsiana August 1990 says the priest, it is a ceremony of thanks ­ giving during which you do not draw power from the fire but restore it. Scrap the belief/theory, say the high priests. “It’s all wrong. The power of the holy fire never decreases; in fact it in ­ creases as more people pray in front of it,” says Kaikobad. The tolling of the bell has another sig ­ nificance too. “Very likely the tolling sound announced the change of guards on duty,” writes the late Dastur K. S. Dabu, High Priest of H. B. Wadia Atash Bahram, Bombay, in his book Handbook of Information on Zoroastrianism. Says Kotwal: “In rural Iran the people used to pray five times a day. They would stop whatever they were doing and pray every time the gah changed. They had no watches then and it was only from the tolling of the bell that they knew that the gah had changed. ” A day is divided into five gahs or parts. The first, from sunrise to 12 noon; the second, from 12 noon to 3 pm; the third, from 3 pm to sunset; the fourth, from sunset to midnight and the fifth from midnight to sunrise. All time is cal ­ culated on local time. The gah in which the maachi ceremony is performed is important because accordingly the num ­ ber of Atash Nyaishes prayed by the mobed after striking the bell could vary from 11 to 6. “In an atash bahram a maachi must be compulsorily performed at the change of every gah” says Kotwal. It may also be performed at an atash adarian but here the ceremony is optional. An atash bahram, he points out, is the holiest of fires and is also known as a fire of victory. “You will notice that on the walls of any atash bah ­ ram there are swords, shields, maces...weapons of war. They symbolize the victory of good over evil. ” The depic ­ tion of these weapons of war, according to Kotwal, probably goes back to ancient Iran when the coronation of each new king was marked with the consecration of an atash bahram in his honor. Naturally, the symbols of his authority — the sword, the axe and other weapons — were en ­ shrined with the fire. The legend of Dastur Neriosang Dha- val ’s miraculous lightning bolt aside, there is no documented record of how the Iranshah was consecrated. Says Kotwal: “In the records of the ceremonies and. rituals in Udwada, you will not find any evidence of how the atash bahram fire was consecrated. ” However, he states that the fire was not brought from Iran. With Best Compliments from White Cloud Filter Pads Pvt Ltd Pioneer Manufacturers of Finest Quality Machine Made Filter Pads in the Country 412 Gultekdi Road Pune 411037 Phone 432236 Gram: Filter PadsIk f to be on guard all the time. No arms were that most of the constructions were per- ally and having seen almost every place in allowed to be carried. The task of re- feet and contained every facility for life. search in Iran is a Himalayan task and will never be completed. Many western ­ ers have interest in Iranian history and filled with awe at their equipment culture and their research work is continu ­ ous. There is a reason for this. They have can definitely say that the ancient Ira- nearly 10 years and has gathered much got means and they are supported and en ­ couraged by their governments. This fa- of life. We wonder at some of the modem cility we Parsis of India do not get. It must be home in mind that the an- known to the ancient Iranians. the Isle of Orma2 where he found an ob- cient Iranians were far superior and civi- The author, having been there person- servatory which exhibited a device to lized than the people of today. They had study the movements of nine planets. This various arts and crafts which provided Top: Sasanian sculpture at Naksh-e- was constructed by the ancient Iranians, them with their livelihood. Their trading Rustom in the vicinity of Persepolis where The ancient lighthouse near the Isle of activities were boundless. They traded Darius, Xerxes and two other kings lie with the countries of the East and the buried West and always kept good relations Photo : A.V.H. Jackson’s Persia Past and Present with others. On the whole the Iranians Bottom: A ruined Sasanian fire-temple were peace-loving people; but when oc- (circa second century AD) restored at casion required it, they fought to the fin- Neiser Iran, is in an advantageous position to Their battle arms were very strong give an account of its ancient glory, and unique. Modem science of today is Many western travellers also have made a study of the ancient monuments but the and their constructions. From all this we author lived and researched there for nians were far advanced in all walks information. On March 31, 1854, the author-travel- scientific inventions, but these were ler left Bombay and by sea route came to known to the ancient Iranians. The author, having been there person- If 1 * » « ish. In art and architecture also they were pioneers. Their edifices, buildings, pal ­ aces, forts and other monuments were not built of bricks, stones and mortar, with wood and iron as is done today. They |||||||||||||| were mostly carved in mountains, particu- larly at great heights. There were reasons for that. Iran is a mountainous country HBB and there is very little place for building extensive monuments. Also, the ancients had the foresight to know that some day their country might be invaded or overrun by some enemy. To safeguard their own position their forts were constructed on relatively inaccessible mountain tops; and so too were their palaces, courts and tow- ; - * ers of silence. On examination it is found , Ormaz still stands to caution ships enter ­ ing the harbor. Proceeding further, one comes to Abashi, Kism, Ashidor, Langa and Minab ports from where one can pro ­ ceed straight to Bushaire. All these places show some traces of the ancient Iranian greatness. Further from there, on the other side of Mount Godare Manhoor, stands the city of Dehrish. A river flows through the mountain crevices and on the top of the mountain there is an old fort in a ruinous condition. On the side of the mountain there are pictures engraved which contain Naksh-e-Zohak, Naksh-e- Ardehsir Babak and Naksh-e-Shapoor Shah, etc. These are very vividly in ­ scribed. Far below in the valley is to be seen the huge statue of Shapoor Shah. There are several cubicles carved in the mountain which show that people who came there must have resid^ there for some time. Further in the wilderness there are inscriptions of the world-famous hero Rustom and Ash Kaboos and Shaaraab-e- Behram and some other inscriptions and F tablets. Between Gajroon and Tang-e- Toorkan there are other mountains of which Kuh-e-Hoosang is well-known. The mountain top was the place for the disposal of dead bodies. There are in ­ scriptions of old. heroes of the past, their I dresses, arms, way of I fighting, etc on Mount I BarmeDalaak. I On the way from I Shiraz to Firozabad, I some old towers of si- I lence are to be seen as I also several forts in ru- I inous condition. There I is a very important and I noteworthy inscription I showin Prophet Zoroas- I ter teaching his good I Zoroastrian religion to f Shah Gustasp and his 63 Parsiana August 1990 <¦ K children. It shows how Shah Gustasp and his '* ...progeny accepted the religion. Another his children. There are ancient ruined cit- atash kadeh which was a favorite of King inscription depicts the war between As- ies of Daaredoor, Davroon, Dodrog, Kobad. In the north there are many fcKts phandiar-e-Ruinton and Arjasp. At the Refta-Sanjan, where many ruined edifices and towers of silence. Forts were proba- foot of the mountain there is an old atash ~ kadeh whose edifice is still unbroken. Near Shiraz, in the suburb named Khapar, The Kille-Kaaoos is noteworthy. In the there is an old tower of silence of Hakim open spaces around Kerman and Yazd, Jamasp. There are many other ruined there arc signs of the past glories of Kaya- monuments which testify to the ancient nian and Sasanian kings. Moving for- mony of King Lohrasp performed by Iranian glory. Near Nalook-e-Daraab, ward from tliere, one comes across Haft King Kaikhushroo, inscriptions of in a lonely mountain, there is an atash kadeh with a golden dome which is still in cities now in ruin. Tlie cave named tion of King Asphandiar, Farangiz, hero a good condition and not ruined. There is Gaare-Yazdan is worth seeing. Tlie sight Rustom with his horse Rekha in a mag- another atash kadeh in the ruined city of of all these provide testimony to the nificent manner, wars and hunting ex- Sarvasthan. Beyond Shiraz, in Istekhar power of the evil Arab sword. ploits of Khushroo Parviz, etc. there are fire-temples, towers of silence To the north-east of Kuh-e-Jamavand In the mountains near Jaenda, the and other ruined edifices. The most there are the old cities of Tabriz and mighty palace and ports of King Yazde- noteworthy arc the Takht-e-Jamshid Gajveen Sultanis. The old palace of King gard Shaheriyar are to be seen in a ruin- and Takht-e-Tagdish, Dokhme Jamshir, Jamshid of the Peshdadian clan — Takht- ous condition. There are inscriptions of Dokhme Faridoon, Dokhme Zarthosht, ' ' Kaabe Zarthosht and Naksh-e-Rustom. There are inscriptions of the coronation tainsides there are inscriptions, in Khila- ceremonies of many Iranian kings and of rokhi script, which are difficult to deci- the appointing of their successors. In vil- pher. Other ruined cities arc Shannadez, bly the Arab destroyers could not see it lages further north, there are other ruined Haavan Dhaoon, Sharooshabaad and As- • monuments, forts, towers of silence, etc. On the way from Mard-e-Seemurg-e- mountainsides at great heights, aab to Yazd, there are many inscriptions - - - depicting King Yazdegard Sheriyar and in the city of Kangavaar, there is an old timony to its glory. are yet to be seen. There are forts and li- bly constructed there for the defence of braries and domes of old atash kadehs. the country against the Turanian inva ­ sions across the northern border of Iran. In the northern mountains there are many inscriptions —like the coronation cere- ward from tliere, one comes across Haft King Azar, Aakha, Navdosaan and other old Khushroo Parvez, Takht-e-Shirin, corona­ cities now in ruin. To the north-east of Kuh-e-Jamavand Jamshid of the Peshdadian clan — Takht- e-Jamshid — and Takht-e-Suleman are Arab invasion and their fight with Irani- other historical places. Here on the moun- ans. On the top of a mountain there is a tower of silence named Kilah-e-Dawood. It is so high on the mountain that proba ­ or could not reach it. The last capital city of the Persians was Madain near Baghdad. A minaret To the north-east of Mount Demavand, built by Tehmurasp Devband stands tes- phandabad. There are forts carved in With Best Compliments From DUBASH FRERES & CO Exporters, Importers, Agents & Manufacturers of Machine-Made Precision Neutral GLASS AMPOULES, VIALS, SUTURE TUBES TEST TUBES, TABLET TUBES, ETC. t 64 Parsiana August 1990 Victoria Building S. A. Brelvi Road Fort Bombay 400001 Cables: “DUBFRERES” Bombay 400001 Tel Nos: 2860069/2860130 Telex: 11-84739 DFCO INLAW TAXING GIFTS The article examines the provisions of the new Gift Tax Bill as applicable to community trusts Homi P. Ranina Would Zoroastrian religious and commu- Regulation Act, if the donor does not re- other legal obligation. nal charitable trusts be liable to gift tax side in India. • The property held for charitable or reli- under the new Gift Tax (GT) Bill, 1990? gious purposes is restricted to the benefit Under the Bill, gift tax is chargeable Definitions of the public and no part of the income or to the person (or institution) receiving Fortunately, the meaning of the word property of the trust may be used, directly the gift and not to the donor. Taxation at “gift” as given in clause 2(xvi) of the new or indirectly, for the benefit of the settlor the prescribed rates (see box) would not Bill is different from what it was under • or other specified persons except to the only cripple religious and communal the old GT Act, 1958. Under the new extent permitted in the case of pre- 1962 charitable trusts but donors would be re ­ luctant to give when a substantial part of by one person to another of any existing voluntarily and without consideration in money or money ’s worth, and includes ated for the benefit of any particular reli- the transfer or conversion or any property. the meaning of the IT Act. ” Receipts which are income within the table purposes. The last two conditions the trust income which is applied to charitable or religious purposes, or is ac- clause, “gift” is defined as “the transfer trusts. J Further conditions apply to the chari- their donations would be siphoned off to movable or immovable property, made table trusts created on or after April 1, the government by way of tax. voluntarily and without consideration in 1962. Thus, the trust should not be cre- However, there are several exemp ­ tions: the transfer or conversion or any property, gious community or caste, that no part of • Charitable trusts which have obtained a referred to in section 4, deemed to be a the income should dire^ly or indirectly certificate under section 80-G of the In- gift under that section but does not in- benefit the settlor or other specified per- come Tax (IT) Act, 1961 (under which elude receipts which are income within sons, and that the property should be held - the donor is exempt from IT up to 50 per- the meaning of the IT Act. ” wholly, and not in part only, for chari- cent his donation) have been exempted from the payment of GT under section meaning of section 2(24)(ii-a) of the IT also apply to religious trusts created on 5(l)(viii) of the GT Bill. Further, under Act, 1961 include voluntary contribu- orafter April 1,1962. section 5(l)(ix), any temple, mosque, tions received by a trust created wholly • The exemption is confined to the part of gurdwara, church or other place which is or partly for charitable or religious pur- notified by the central government under poses. Section 12 of the IT Act also pro ­ section 80-G(2)(b) is exempt from GT in vides very categorically that any volun- cumulated for application to such pur ­ respect of any sums received as dona ­ tions for renovation or repair. • If any property is settled upon trust, the erty held under trust. This applies irre- * income from which is to be used in con- r • *¦ nection with such notified temple, up before or after 1962. mosque, etc, the amount would also not be liable to GT under the new Bill. • Religious or communal charitable trusts cent of the voluntary contributions so re- will also not be liable to GT if they re ­ ceive donations from a non-resident ex- _ temal account in any bank in India or in following conditions must also, necessa- a notice should be given to the assessing convertible foreign exchange remitted rily,bemet: officer in the prescribed manner and from outside India in accordance with • The property from which the income is the accumulated income should be the provisions of the Foreign Exchange derived should be held under trust or invested or deposited as provided in sec- tary contributions to such trusts shall be poses within the permissible limits, deemed to be income derived from prop- In the case of property held wholly for charitable or religious purposes, the accu- spective whether the said trusts were set mulation may not exceed 25 percent of the aggregate of the income from the Also, under section 11 of the IT Act, trust property together with voluntary the trusts have to spend at least 75 per- donations deemed to be income under section 12. To secure exemption of an accumulation in excess of 25 percent of ceived for charitable purposes in order to claim exemption under that section. The the trust income for a purpose of the trust, following conditions must also, necessa- • The property from which the income is 67 Parsiana August 1990 ition 11(5). In no case, however, may the income be accumulated for more than 10 years. The same rules govern those trusts where only a part of the property is held for charitable or religious purposes and the trusts have been created tefore April 1,1962. • The exemption applies'only to that part of the income as is applied — or is accu ­ mulated for application — to charitable or religious purposes in India (with two exceptions listed under section ll(l)(c) covering trusts specifically created for international welfare and charitable trusts founded prior to April 1,1952). • Where the trust property consists of a business undertaking, the conditions set out in section 11(4) and (4-A) should be complied with. • The trust should get itself registered with the commissioner within the time prescribed by section 12-A(a). The com ­ missioner has discretion to entertain an application for registration filed out of time. • The accounts of the trust should be au- • dited for any accounting year in which its income exceeds Rs 25,000 and the audit report should be furnished along with the return of income. • The funds of the trust should be in- dharamshala), or if it is donated to an ­ other charitable trust, or if it is utilized to pay back a loan taken for the purposes of the trust or to give loans for studies in the course of fulfilling the educational pur ­ pose of the trust. In the last case, in the year in which such loans are repaid, they would constitute income of the trust for the purpose of applying the provisions of section 11(1) and (2). Exemptions From a reading of the aforesaid essential conditions for exemption of income under section 11, it is apparent that all public re ­ ligious trusts and all pre- 1962 communal trusts, like the Bombay Parsi Punchayet, would also be exempt from tax if all the other stipulated conditions are met Trusts which are covered by section 10, namely, educational institutions, hos- pitals like the B. D. Petit Parsee General Hospital, etc would also enjoy the bene ­ fit of exemption from IT in respect of all voluntary contributions received by them. Further, such voluntary contribu ­ tions received by them would also be exempt under the new GT law so long as the donors do not earmark their dona ­ tions towards the corpus of the trust. Such earmarked donations are excluded When one charitable or religious trust contributes to another trust or to any per­ son, the recipient cannot be made liable to GT under the new Bill because the trust making the contribution cannot be said to transfer any property “voluntarily. ” This is because a religious or charitable trust is enjoined by the settlor and the donors to apply its funds for charitable purposes and to support the stipulated class of beneficiaries, for example, students, poor patients in need of medical attention, and generally the poor and needy. In other words, since the transfer of property by one person to another has to be made “voluntarily ” under the defini ­ tion of gift provided under clause 2(xvi) of the new GT Bill, any application of income by a religious or charitable trust, in the furtherance of its objects, cannot be deemed to be a gift made within the meaning of this clause. Hence, the re ­ cipients of charity cannot be made liable to GT under the proposed Bill. Taxation rates under the proposed Gift Tax Biii GIFTS: • Less than Rs 20,000 • Between Rs 20,000 and Rs 50,000 • Between Rs 50,000 and Rs 2,00,000 • Above Rs 2,00,000 TAX: Nil 20 percent of the amount exceeding Rs 20,000 Rs 6,000 plus 30 percent of the amount exceeding Rs 50,000 Rs 51,000 plus 40 percent of the amount exceeding Rs 2,00,000 vested or deposited in the permissible forms and modes only. — Income may be held to be applied for charitable purposes when it is finally al ­ located to and earmarked for a benefici ­ ary, though the actual payment may be ’ made later. Credit entries in the account of the donee, supported by withdrawals by the donee, may amount to application of the income. Income is applied to a charitable pur ­ pose if it is adjusted against the amount so applied in a prior year in excess of the income of that year (for example, out of the corpus), or if it is used for acquiring a capital asset for fulfilling a charitable purpose (for exaipple, constructing a from the definition of “income ” under section 12 of the IT Act and, therefore, GT would be chargeable on such corpus donations under the new GT Bill, unless the trust is approved under section 80-G. It must be emphasized that donations received by way of “box collection, ” that is, from anonymous donors, would be outside the purview of the new GT law since they are treated as voluntary contri ­ butions under the IT Act and, therefore, are in the nature of income under section 2(24)(ii-a) read with section 12, provided that at least 75 percent is spent during the year of receipt and not more than 25 per ­ cent is accumulated for a specific pur ­ pose. Welfare It is possible, however, that the assessing officer may not understand the true con­ notation of the word “gift” as defined in clause 2(xvi) and may attempt to levy GT. It is, therefore, eminently desirable that the government should amend the Bill in order to prevent litigation, by pro ­ viding that recipients of charity, whether from a communal or a non-communal charitable or religious trust, are not liable to pay GT if the total quantum of gift re ­ ceived by them exceeds Rs 20,000 in a previous year. It is also necessary that charitable and religious trusts which are not certified under section 80-G be exempted from paying GT on all donations received to ­ wards the corpus of the trust. Such trusts should be permitted to build up their car ­ pus as the welfare of the people is the cornerstone of national policy and one of the directive principles of state policy enshrined in the Constitution of India. Any law which is an impediment to this objective is not only unethical, but inde ­ fensible. H Tax consultant and advo- I cate at the Supreme Court I of India, Homi P. Ranina is I a trustee of the Bombay I Parsi Punchayet, the B. D. I Petit Parsee General Hos- ( pital and other community organizations. He is also t director of several indus­ trial and commercial con­ cerns. I t L 68 Parsiana August 1990PROFESSIONS A film producer patiently waits his turn. “Baba you don ’t mind if I keep you wait ­ ing for some more time? ” enquires for ­ tune-teller Bejan Daruwalla, full of con­ cern for his clients. Needless to say, the producer will wait for he has come to con­ sult the specialist who will advise him on the propitious moorat (inauguration) time for his next film. It is Daruwalla ’s words, the seekers believe, that can bring light to their day, fortune at their command, promise for their future. And to hear his predictions, they will come, and come again, for once his predictions come true, they would prefer to take calculated risks than random chances. The popular Poona-based astrologer is invited to Bombay for special consulta- tions. But after two months of stay in 'St ? Bombay, working even on Sundays, the numerologist is not able to determine ~ how long his sojourn in Bombay will ? ” continue. He sits in the dimly lit dining ? area of Hotel Balwas on March 22,1990, his favorite abode in Bombay, as the lone table lamp casts its light on the object of ¦£t scrutiny, whether the palm, the kundli A (horoscope chart), the reference book. The visitor narrates his problem while 12r the “podgy pundit ” — a label he has ac- quired from his wife — busies himself, refilling tobacco in his pipe. Then after ? one deep puff, he applies himself to ar- ? riving at a pre^ction. What method does he rely on? “I use seven different methods (pdmistry, nu- merology, tarot, I-Ching, ephemeris, in- tV tuition and Ganesha ’s grace included) P , then take out an average. What is com- mon has a great chance of coming ' right, ” says Daruwalla whose list of ac ­ curate predictions reached out to V. P. Singh ’s victory in the parliament elec ­ tions in India, Benazir Bhutto ’s victory in Pakistan, the release of Nelson-Man- dela and even Sanjay Gandhi ’s death. “The charting of the horoscope is by as- tronomy; factual. Its interpretation is an •Ct ait even though there art solid rules and ii ’ guidelines by which one can go, ” Daru- Sunny forecasts Parinaz Gandhi Foreteller Bejan Daruwalla insists that the twenty-first century will be the greatest ever ¦A" ? •A- ? A ? ? A ? A ? ? ? ? L, - A 'St i A ? A Ta ” of the killer instinct. When a big predic- ? tion comes up, maybe (the others) have an attack of nerves and while I being an old geezer of 58 years and having made 'A^T^'^'s2r'5Sr'5lk'iIkA's2rAA'A^ifin2r'5Sr'A'5^i^'5^'5^'52r'52r'5^iiSr'^i^'A^'^'s2r'^'^rA'ji ”si^'A ’'S^AA only big political predictions, maybe my A A walla explains. The prediction of many an astrologer has gone off the mark but Daruwalla has managed to build up a reputation of being correct on many of the landmark happenings. The reason? “You ’ve heard ¦iii' ? ? •Ct 70 Parsiana August 1990r nerves Stay cool and maybe I have, for all yourself insured?) ’” ?’___ ___ __ _ _____ my podginess, my sweet ways and grey areas, the astrologer claims to be fool of^a Parsi led'bjT'^esha has**a pud^ng face and pot belly, a terrible kil- “absolutely in love with (his) work. ” unique and powerful combination in the ler insunct that makes one go for the What about those who prefer to be- eleventh house of friendshio and eains. meat of the matter, ” says the jovial fore- caster. __ ______ ____ _____ Even if there is a horoscope, my de- about astrology “alone being the key, ” regularly contributes to are Mid-Day and gree of accuracy is 75-80 percent, ” the r~ ~ .. .................................... astrologer candidly admits. “There have as one of the keys. “You may be an ag- been cases when I have gone wrong. I i ' ’ “ am fallible as a human being. But then I convert anyone to astrology. One lesson give no excuses; no armory of protection astrology has taught me is tolerance, or defence. Even if I were to go right People come in all shapes and sizes and always, the charm and magic of life — are so exciting. Therefwe an astrologer the challenge — would be over. To me faces a different challenge each time. ” this challenge is the essence of living. I I” " . 2 .2__ „ _ ____ ______............ ..... already have name, fame, money... ” he kingpins from the business, political and y^s, accorthng to Bombay magaz^, his states. “Further, we (speaking on behalf tinsel worlds. “My horoscope says that publication was due for release in May of the others in his profession) have our I’m at my best with film stars, industrial- last. To be brought out under the Jaico own destiny too, you know, Daruwalla ists and journalists, ” says Daruwalla in banner, the book was to feature a three- acknowledges. the Mid-Day of January 23, 1990 and year annual forecast for 1990, 1991, Viewing his role in society as “de- with his characteristic humor continues, 1992; a combination of Chinese and manding, taxing, responsible. Dam- “I know why. Jupiter is the planet of Western astrology; forecasts by numeroV walla continue, I get tremendously in- knowledge, astrology and wisdom, and ogy; characteristics of the sun signs; a volved in my job. There is no objectivity. Mercury is the planet of communication, weekly forecast for all signs for 1990; the I get shaken when I see death. And Both planets are firmly entrenched in my history of jewellery; and a guide to astro- though I love to protect, if I see death chart. So where do I excel? With editors, logical gift-giving. coming, I have to say it, to forewarn, but And what ’s the final result? Not that I’m “India has quite a few astrologers in a tactful way like asking the person superior to any other astrologer but that comparable to the best in the world, ” ‘Insurance karaviyuch ke (Have you got it’s my destiny to write for more papers believes Daruwalla who then goes on to I Never mind the than any other astrologer because that _ ------— ______ ___ a ¦‘absolutely in love with (his) work. ” unique and powerful combination in the What about those who prefer to be- eleventh house of friendship and gains, lieve, “Que sera, sera (what will be, will Now doesn ’t this mean that fortune favors be)? ” The soothsayer has no hangups fools? ” Among the periodicals that he " ’ ' ’ - ' ' - “ - ‘ _____________ . —J to all problems. He recognizes astrology Bombay. He has also been invited to con- acnn»nf ------- 1-------- - ttibutc to papcrs Ukc Stof, the Pakistau nostic, sceptic, fine. I have no desire to eveninger, and Gulf News, of Dubai. “General forecasts can only come cor­ rect up to a point, ” concedes Daruwalla. Writing for newspapers and maga ­ zines may be in his cards but authoring a book doesn ’t seem to have come that eas- His well-established clientele feature ily. Laboring on his book for the past 15 ^stomer is "^always Light When he entrusts his Household Packing, Shipping, Removal, Storage..., ail his problems to B.C. Buhariwala & Sons. Make the right Move, Cali: 5 J.N. Heredia Marg, Ballard Estate, Bombay-400 038. Tel.: 2615451/3, 2620785 2613137 Tlx.: 011-75139 BCB IH. BRANCH OFFICE: 1310, Pragati Towers, Rajendra Place, New Delhi-110 008. Tel. Nos.: 5711876, 5713540. Tlx.: 031-61928 BCB IN Represented throughout the World by more than 600 offices Door to door Service 13 Parsiana August 1990 iexplain the difference in the Indian and right to disagree with Nostradamus* denly, his eyes alight, excitement audible ~ Western schools of astrology. “Astro- gloomy prediction for the next century, in his voice, he proclaimed, “I have got logy is rooted in the Indian psyche, ” he Maintains Daruwalla, “There may be it Around 1996-97 latest, do what the maintains. Indian astrologers believe that blood bath, war...but the twenty-first cen- Parsis will, they will have to be liberals seven days are named after seven planets tury will be the greatest ever. ” He also By the turn of the century the Parsis plus they take into account Rahu and sees a lucky phase ahead for the Parsi should have made a very happy about- Ketu. Western astrology also takes into community, beginning the middle of this turn in their dogmas and orthodoxy. It’s consideration planets Neptune, Pluto and year because Jupiter will enter Leo, the not that we ’ve fallen backward or we Uranus which are shown to play an im- sign equated with Zoroastrianism, and have regressed; others have progressed. ” portant role. Therefore, according to stay there for a year. “The push it will He clarifies that he would be loath to them, “there are 12 planets and the com- give will last for a long time, ” Daruwalla start a controversy, but this is what he bination and permutation of these 12 is sanguine. foresees. planets and their clusterings ” that decide More specific enquiries about the The practice among the community of one ’s fate. lucky phase for Parsis did not generate initiating major endeavors on auspicious At all times, Daruwalla is conscious of any definite response. He referred to the rojs “couldn ’t only be old wives ’ tales. More specific enquiries about the lucky phase for Parsis did not generate initiating major endeavors on auspicious the need for “underplaying any feeling of adaptability of die Parsis, their feeling of A roj must have been a major influenc- bigness. As soon as there are ego prob- security in India, the identity crisis they ing factor in life, ” he declares. lems, you get heavy and so does your in- experience probably because of the ~ tuition, ” insists the foreteller who says ‘ . that because he had “this psychic ability, trying to do its best for the community. i Daruwalla makes no secret of the fact Western influence, and the Punchayet that his “faith in Lord Ganesha is un- ¦ . shakable. At the same time I’m proud to he has never had to make a special effort The uncertainty of the Bombay Parsi be a Parsi (In fact his credibility in ­ to predict Perhaps I have not given it its Punchayet anjuman committee and trus- creases because of his Parsi background, due.” Though he may offer a talisman to teeship elections leaving many issues he says). I wear the sudreh happily: go to his clients,!, a Jewish influence on his unresolved, this would have been an op- the fire-temples also. There is no iota of thinking, and may officiate as a priest at portune moment to ask him to predict the fanaticism. ” Additionally he also wor- some Hindu religious ceremonies -- “the date for the elections. But we let this ships Amba, Hanuman. “On Tuesdays I • Hindus give to their jyotish the same re- subject pass. am a vegetarian, ” the astrologer informs, spect due to a friend, philosopher and He was then on the topic of “a Parsi For the last 10 years Daruwalla has guide” - he avoids tantras (incanta- girl being definitely a shade superior to taken up astrology as a full-time profes ­ tions), spirits and necromancy like the the Parsi boy, better equipped to face sion. Prior to that “he had two strings to plague, he informs. life... of the need for Parsis to accept his bow--teaching and astrology. ’’For “Nostradamus was any day superior people from other religions... of remo- 27 years he was a professor of English, to Bejan, ” Daruwalla acknowledges, ving the stigma against women married first in Bombay and later in Ahmedabad. however the Indian astrologer retains his outside the community... ” when sud- A postgraduate in English, from the age of 24 or 25 he started practising astro ­ logy part-time he says. “At the age of 141 was reasonably good, by 211 was an expert. ” “An only son, bom rich, ” Daruwalla informs that his feather Jehangir, a super ­ intendent of seven mills, was the only one in the family besides him who could recognize his intuitive faculty. As for the rest, “to each his own ” is the phi ­ losophy adopted. The next halt for the. fortune-teller, who is required to travel twice or thrice in the year, in the course of his duties, was England and America. He was look ­ ing forward to this trip where he would combine work with holiday. As to his ability to invdce good for ­ tune and preempt ill-luck, the pundit says, “Destiny is, let ’s say, at least SS percent important and what you can do with your life is 45 percent You can always chop, change and alter the 45 per­ cent but the basic destiny will remain, the basic being, birth, death and mar­ riage. It’s like saying that if you have an umbrella on a rainy day, at least your head will be saved. ” He was then on the topic of “a Parsi Gifts& —|ghiog5 The Friendly Gift Shop for handicrafts, festive gi^ reli^ous artefacts, executive desk sets, exclusive shell items, designer jewelry & specializing in wood & copper-enamel gifts. BOMBAY SWADESHI STORES LTD. (Mezzanine Floor) Sir PM Road, Bombay-400 001 STUDIO AKAR 6T/2660 J 74 Parsiana August 1990•u 4 1 iS FOOD ‘Dre pick; of I he chief Choice chicken concoctions for the demanding palate Bhicoo J. Manekshaw “Poultry is to cooking* what canvas is to painting. ” Brillat Savarin. Chicken is one of the best and easiest ingredients in a cook ’s hands. Be it boiled (correctly, of course) roasted or baked, served hot or cold, whole or in portions, with or without sauces, curried or sauted - it can be successful, always. The universal, classic roast chicken, is to my way of thinking, the ‘mere ’ of most continental chicken dishes. One can always judge the quality of a good cook or a restaurant by the roast chicken they produce. In India, the best yield in quality and quantity is from a 950 gm chicken. At most, one can go up to 1 kg in weight. After that the chicken gets fibrous; be ­ tween 800 and 900 gms, the chicken is all right for grills. But fw chickens less than that in weight, one pays more for bones than flesh. Then push the legs and thighs of the minutes more but turn the chickens on chicken towards the body, over the tail their breasts. When done, leave to ‘rest ’ and tie the legs to it to keep them in posi- ROAST CHICKEN (serves 6-8) Chickens (2 x 950 gms - with skin) Light stock (2 cups - made with chicken tion. necks, stomachs, hearts, one sliced on ­ ion, one sliced carrot, a few black pep­ percorns and salt, cooked for no more than 20-30 minutes.) Salt Pepper Parsley or tarragon (a sprig or ajwain - 2 tsp) Butter (100 gms) String (a piece about 6 inches long) See that the skin of the chicken is not right side with two wooden spoons so torn. Push back the skin of the neck be- that the skin is not pierced. Baste well, fore cutting off the neck. chicken well. Make a light stock of the another 15 minutes. Then turn the chick ­ ingredients mentioned above. Turn on the oven to 4(X)°F (200°C or gas mark 6). further 15 minutes. By now the chickens down through the joint and remove the Fold back the skin of the neck and flip should be golden brown and crisp and the side of the breast. Turn the chicken on the pinions at the back to keep the skin in place. Put a small knob of butter, salt, pepper and a sprig of parsley or tarragon, thigh with a thin skewer or needle to test off the center breast piece in one piece, or ajwain in the hollow of each chicken. .............. ... * .................. To truss the chicken make a half knot with the string and loop it on to the tail. in a warm open oven so that the juices may retract into the tissues. To carve, remove the string, press the Place the chickens, breast up, in a roasting tin after rubbing with pepper thigh outwards and away from the body and rest of butter. Add one cup of stock and cut at the joint. Try and remove the along with the necks, vegetables, etc and put the tin with the chickens in the pre ­ heated oven. well with stock in pan and put back in the oven. After another 15 minutes baste the chickens again and sprinkle with salt. Very gently, turn the chickens on their youngest at the table.) The thighs and drumsticks can be served as one piece or cut into two at the joint. Chop off the Wash the add rest of stock and liver and leave for ankle joints. Next cut off the pinions, ’ “ ' - ¦ - then place the knife between the carcass ens on their left side, baste and cook for a and the wing bone, and bring it right further 15 minutes. By now the chickens ‘oyster ’ which lies on the back of the car ­ cass at the joint of the thigh bone. (In the After 15 minutes, baste days when the chicken was carved on the table by the man of the house, the ‘oys ­ ter, ’ if not carved with the thigh, was given to the one he loved best or to the time should be an hour from the start of the other side and remove the other side the baking. Pierce the chicken in the of the breast. With a pair of scissors cut if the chicken is done. If the liquid that (In larger birds which one gets abroad, comes out is clear, it is done. If the liquid the breast is sliced off from either side of is pink, allow to cook for about 5-10 the breastbone in 2 or 3 slices). 77 Parsiana August 1990I Keep the chickens warm on a serving dish. Quickly scrape off all the coagu ­ lated roasted bits into the gravy and bring to a boil, adding a little water if required. It should be half a pint for the two birds. Strain. Spoon a little of the gravy on to the chickens and serve the rest in a warm sauce boat. Note: This is one of the most successful ways of roasting a chicken. The using of two wooden spoons is not an .idiosyn ­ crasy. We were told at the Cordon Bleu School of Cookery to handle a roasting chicken like a new bom babe! Under no account should the skin be tom, so that it remains moist from the inside and crisp from the outside. To make the gravy richer one can add a spoon or two of cream. Or mash the liver and add to the gravy. I would not thicken it with flour. Serve roasted potatoes and buttered vegetables or a ratatouille and fresh mixed tossed salad alongside. Do not mar the fine flavor by serving strong fla ­ vored vegetables. POULET AU PORTO (serves 6-8) This is a delightful dish from Julia Child ’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking. It is not meant for serving at parties where ill-mannered people turn up at 10 p.m. when the invitations are for 8.30 p.m.!! Because this dish cannot wait Chickens (2 x 950 gms — roasted as above but with 114 cups stock instead of 2 cups) Mushrooms (3/4 kg — trimmed and kept whole if small or halved if large) Butter (15 gms) Lime juice (1 tsp) Water (100 ml) Salt (to taste) Cream (3/4 pint ie. 15 liquid ozs) Cornflour (30 gms — mixed with two tbsp, of the measured cream) Salt and pepper (to taste) Spring onions or shallots (small Madras onions used for sambar - 1 tbsp - chopped) Dry port (100 ml) Lime juice (1 tsp) Cognac (100 gms) Bring the water to a boil with butter, lime juice and salt in a stainless steel, enamel or kaUaied>pa.n (well tinned cop ­ per vessel). Add mushrooms, cover and cook gently for about 10 minutes. Strain off the cooking liquid and set aside. Add cream and cornflour mixture to the mushrooms and simmer for 2 to 3 min- \ I [£/<{' utes. Season correctly. Keep aside. Remove chickens from the roasting pan along with all but two tbsp of the gravy with the fat. Add spring onions to the roasting pan and simmer for two min ­ utes. Add port and reserved mushroom juice. Reduce the liquid to Va pint over high heat. Add mushroom mixture and cook for a further 1 or 2 minutes till the liquid thickens a bit Add lime juice and seasoning. Quickly carve the chicken and put into a fireproof casserole along with the remaining gravy and heat thoroughly on a low flame. Ignite cognac and pour over the chicken. Shake the casserole until the flames subside. Add the mush ­ room and port mixture over the chicken. Baste the chicken with the mushroom sauce. Cover and keep on a very low flame for 5 minutes before serving. Sautdd potatoes or a well seasoned risotto and a crisp lettuce salad with a lime dress ­ ing go well with this dish. Note: This dish should not be kept wait ­ ing for more than 5-6 minutes after it is cooked. You can roast the chicken in advance and sautd the mushrooms be ­ forehand, but after the port has been added the chicken should be ignited and the sauce mixed immediately and served. v\/HAT$ rne .. FRENCH VERSION OF AiURGHI-A/A- FARCHA?..." o /y I GAI TOM KA (serves 4) Thailand is famous for its satay of beef and chicken. Here is a delicious chicken and coconut soup also called Galangal Soup. Galangal is the root of the ginger family and is used as a flavoring. It can be removed before serving or left un ­ eaten. The Indian ginger can be used as substitute. Chicken stock (475 ml) Lime leaves (2 - chopped) Lemon grass (6-8 leaves — chopped) Ginger (1 inch piece — peeled and sliced) Fish sauce (a poor substitute is soyabean sauce - 4 tbsp) Lime juice (3 tbsp) Coconut milk (150 ml) Chillies (2 small — red or green — crushed) Chicken breast (150 gms — finely shred ­ ded) Coriander leaves for garnish (chopped) Boiled rice for accompaniment Heat stock in a stainless steel pan, with lime leaves, lemon grass, ginger; fish sauce, lime juice and salt. Bring to a boil. Add chicken breast and coconut milk. Cook over high heat for 3 to 4 minutes. Add chillies and cook for a few seconds more. Then remove from fire, garnish and serve with rice. 79 Parsiana August 1990Note: The chillies can be added a little not boil. A film will form on top. Do not earlier if a spicier soup is required, but break it. Simmer for 45 minutes to 1 that would subdue the delicate flavor of hour. Then break the milk skin, scrape the soup. the sides of the pan and mix well. Re­ move chicken and joint it. Pour the HE-T’OU CHI TING (serves 4) sauce over it (it should be about a cup). (Walnuts with cubed chicken) Parsley potatoes, buttered whole A recipe from the court dishes of China french beans or caramelized carrots with created by Chen Tung Kuen — a famous baby onions and a crisp salad may be Soochow cook at the Imperial Court of served alongside. Emperor Chi ’en Lung. Sesame oil (6-8 tbsp) KOTOPOULO FRICASSEE Walnuts (12 — shelled) (serves 2-4) Chicken (600 gms -- chopped into !6 inch (Greek chicken with egg and lemon cubes) sauce) Cornflour (2 tbsp) Chicken (lx 950 gms — cut into 4 joints) Spring onions (116 tbsp - chopped along Butter (60 gms) with the green stems) Ginger (3 tsp - chopped) Soy sauce (4 tbsp) White wine or sherry (2 tbsp) Sugar (116 tsp) Salt (to taste) Heat oil to smoking point. Fry walnuts Water or chicken stock (not chicken cube for !6 minute and remove immediately. ~ 300 ml) Add salt to cornflour and roll chicken in Salt it. Fry over high heat for 2 minutes. White pepper w Drain off excess oil leaving about 1 tbsp Avgolemono Sauce in the pan. Add spring onions and ginger Cornflour (30 gms) and stir fry for a minute. Add rest of in- Water (2-3 tbsp) gredients with the walnuts. Stir fry for Eggs (2 large) another minute and serve hot, with stir Lemons (Ii6or4 limes--juiced) fried vegetables or noodles. Wash chicken pieces, dry well and saut6 in melted butter and oil. They should not brown. Add rest of ingredients and sim ­ mer till the chicken pieces are tender. Keep aside for 5 minutes after taking off from the fire before starting the sauce. Mix cornflour and water till smooth. Beat eggs and add to cornflour and beat again till well mixed. Add lemon or lime juice. Mix well. Add a spoonful of the chicken sauce into the lemon sauce, mix well, add 2-3 spoons more, mixing well after each addition. Now pour this over the chicken and rotate the pan with the Burjor Framji & Co Licensed Plumbers Sanitary & Drainage Contractors Oil (50 gms) Onions (2 medium — finely sliced) Carrots (2 - sliced) Celery (1 stick - trimmed and chopped) . Dill leaves (2 tbsp -- chopped or 16 tsp seeds - small sauf) 0 © O Marine Mansion 1st Marine Street Bombay 400002 Tel: 313207 J POLLO AL LATTE (serves 4-6) Chicken or rolled loin of pork can be made in this delightful Italian way. Chicken (lx 950 gms) Milk (1 Itr) Butter (60 gms) Oil (20 gms) Ham (lean - 50 gms -- chopped) Salt Pepper Onion (1 small - chopped) Garlic (3-4 cloves - chopped) Coriander seeds (1 tbsp - dry, roasted chicken till it is completely amalga- and coarsely crushed) Basil (or majoram - a few leaves - chopped) Fennel (sauf - 1 tsp) . Melt butter with oil and lightly fry ham and onion. Drain and stuff the chicken boiled rice or noodles. Pour the sauce, with it along with garlic, coriander and along with the vegetables, over them and herbs. Truss the chicken and rub with salt and pepper. Reheat oil and butter and brown the chicken on a medium SOUTHERN FRIED CHICKEN flame. The pan should be just wide (serves 8) enough to fit the chicken. Heat milk in another pan and pour over the chicken, sometimes called Maryland Fried It should cover the chicken. Keep the Chicken, is one of America ’s most con- chicken simmering steadily - it should troversial dishes - every Southern cook mated. Put back on a low heat and cook slowly till the sauce has thickened a little and the cornflour has cooked. Do not boil. Place the chicken pieces on top. of serve with a crisp salad. The American Southern Fried Chicken, sometimes 81 Parsiana August 1990 WITH BEST COMPLIMENTS FROM DORABJEB & COMPANY l-B, MOLEDINAROAD PUNE - 411001 PHONES: 660751, 660752, 660762, 660772 I f i JL ^Best CompCimmts J^rom * 9|e * A ‘^dC-^isfier 82 Parsiana August 1990 off the skin gently. With a shaq? knife, start removing the ribs from the flesh: press the flat of the knife against the bones and gently pull off the flesh, scrap ­ ing it off the ribs. Scrape flesh down from the wing bone. Slice the fillet at ­ tached to each breast and place it on the has her own way of preparing it with dif­ ferent garnishes but all serve it with a cream sauce. Chicken (2 x 950 gms) Salt Pepper Flour (100 gms) Oil (part bacon fat or lard optional — breast. Repeat this deboning with rest of enough for 16 to 3/4 inch layer in a heavy the breast pieces. frying pan) Milk 06cup) Cream Sauce Flour (2 tbsp) Milk (1 cup) Cream (1 cup) Salt White pepper Joint the chickens, wash and dry. Mix salt and pepper with flour. Heat oil till shape them into long cylindrical shapes hot. Dip one chicken piece at a time in about 'y6 inch thick and about 2 to 216 milk, then in seasoned flour. When all the inches long to fit into the prepared pieces are coated with flour, place them in breasts. Wrap each into a square of the frying pan in hot oil. Brown chickens grease proof paper and chill till stiff and evenly on all sides. Cover the pan and cook on medium heat, checking occasionally to see that Spread a damp double sheet of grease ­ proof paper on a board, and lay the pre­ pared breast pieces on it. Cover with another piece of damp, grease-proof pa ­ per, keeping the wing bones out so that they do not tear the paper. Now pound them with a mallet or a rolling pin till they arc about 1/8 inch thick. Cut butter into 8 long equal parts and firm. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. Place a piece of prepared butter in the the pieces do not bum or get stuck. Or center. Beat eggs and brush the edges of put the chicken pieces in a casserole with the cutlets with it. Fold over one side of a little of the oil and cover and cook in a * • • preheated medium oven till done. Drain and keep hot on a platter. Take about 2 tbsp of the oil and put in the cutlet to cover the butter. Fold in the tip towards the center. Twist the wing bone to seal the top end, to prevent the butter from escaping. Now fold over the a pan. Add flour for the sauce and make other wide side and press firmly to seal aroux. Add hot milk and bring to a boil. Add cream and simmer till slightly thick. Pour over the chicken and serve with beaten eggs and lastly in breadcrumbs, fried bacon or ham and com fritters, assuring that each layer has completely Some also serve fried bananas or no gar ­ nish at all. the edges, at the same time shaping the cutlet. Roll the cutlets in flour, then in covered the cutlet. Refrigerate for 2-3 hours or overnight. Just before frying, egg and crumb the CHICKEN KIEV (serves 6-8) cutlets again and fry in deep hot oil Kiev is know as the ‘Mother ’ city of all (frying thermometer should register Russia: there was a Kiev when Moscow was a wheel tract in the forest. It is from golden brown, this famous city that we have this popu- hir dish. Chicken breasts (4 whole — fresh -— each but the chicken may remain raw. Fry 4 weighing 2(X)-250 gms with the bones, and the wing bone attached) Butter (170 gms — chilled) Salt Pepper Flour (75 gms) Eggs (3) Breadcrumbs (170 gms — dry white) Oil (for deep frying) For garnish: fried potato matchsticks 360°F) for 3-5 minutes till they are If the oil is not hot enough, the cutlets will not fry; it if is too hot, the surface will brown quickly cutlets at a time, remove with a slotted spoon and keep warm on a platter lined with brown paper in a 350°F oven with the door open. Fry the rest and ser\e immediately so that when the diner ’s fork pierces the crisp golden coating of this classical dish, he or she is greeted with a spurt of hot melted butter. Serve with fried matchstick potatoes. (1 prefer our sali (shoestring potatoes) to Put the whole breast, skin side down on a the matchstick potatoes — this was how it was served to us when we were young in our homes — and it looked much better board. Bend it so that the center, spoon- shaped bone comes up. Pull it out. Di­ vide the breast in two from where the than matchstick potatoes. Perhaps the bone was removed. Turn over and peel Russians do not know how to make ourfamous papeta ni salii] i Na zdorovieU - to your good health are such that one can hardly afford them. -- specially after all the butter. where these are still available, the prices chicken is half done, adding water when- ", . ever necessary. Add potatoes and slit Besides, one is constantly being told that green chillies and continue to cook till it is not good for one ’s health, and re- both chicken and potatoes are completely minded to mind the cholesterol! Today done, and a thick gravy of about a cup one has to work miracles to make the /remains. The potatoes must be well PAPETA MA MURGHI (serves 6-8) (Like my mother-in-law used to make) Last but not the least, our very own Pa- blotting paper-tasting broiler taste like cooked so that they easily break at the peta ma Murghi\ I cannot remember if I chicken. have given this recipe before, and if I Chicken (2 x 950 gms - jointed) have, forgive me. Because whenever I Garlic (18 cloves) think of some of the best chicken dishes Ginger (2 inch piece) of die world, my mind automatically Green chillies (3-4 - slit) goes to this dish and like the Negro Ghee (75-100 gms) courtier in Akbar ’s court, in whose eyes Salt (to taste) his child was the most beautiful in the Potatoes (6-8 — large) kingdom, I feel the same about this dish Grind ginger and garlic together. Rub touch of a fork. Since I cannot make the dish ‘like it used to be in Amritsar, ’ I add 2 tsp of dry roasted and powdered cumin seeds and 1 tsp of turmeric powder. Nor do I half fry the potatoes, but add them to the dish about 10 minutes after the chicken has been added. _ _ My eldest grandson Rohaan, who has which the whole Manekshaw clan learnt the paste on the chicken and leave for an just turned 8, tells his mother, “but from my mother-in-law. A silent salute hour. In the meanwhile, peel potatoes Mummy, you can ’t make papeta ma goes to her. All the Manekshaw men tell and cut them in half lengthways. Heat murghi like mamai (mammal grand- Aeir wives that what they now produce oil in a pan and lightly fry potatoes till mother) does! ’’ is not the same as in their youth in half cooked. Remove from pan and add Bon Appetit! Amritsar! Usually I don ’t agree with chicken. Sautd for 5 minutes, adding salt most of their statements — but with to taste. Add cup water, cover pan, this one I do. Alas ! Where is the full-fla- 1 voured, charbidar murghi (well-fattened the lovely old-fashioned kallaied tapelies chicken) of yesteryear? And where is and dhakans (traditional, tin covered • pure ghee of the Punjab? And even copper vessels with lids) and simmer till pour a little water on the lid, if you have Manekshaw, a graduate of the presti- ¦ - . - - - -I gious Cordon Bleu School of Cookery, London, and author of The Traditional Recipes of India, has been associated with many haute cuisine organizations in the country. WITH COMPLIMENTS SEALOL HINDUSTAN LIMITED MANUFACTURERS OF MECHANICAL SEALS OFFICE: NOBLE CHAMBERS S.A.BRELVI ROAD, FORT. BOMBAY 400001 TEL NO: 2872894 / 2872638 ! 2874181 GRAM: HIND SEALOL — BOMBAY BRANCHES: POONA / DELHI / CALCUTTA / MADRAS BARODA / HYDERABAD 84 Parsiana August 1990 HlBOOKS The ritual of blessing The two reviews of Joseph Peterson's compilation, The Afrinagan Service, by Dastur (Dr) Hormazdyar K. Mirza and Dr Ali A. Jafarey, reflect two differing points of view The Afrinagan Service: The Zoroastrian Ritual of Blessing compiled by Joseph H. Peterson, 1989. Pp: 212 • Av. jaghmushtemam: “who is best able to reach ” • Av. ratufritim: “goal of satisfaction ” • Av. haithyaverezam'. “who perform their duty;” “performing its duty” In translations, very often rules of ing of libation, and not vague “hymns of grammar are set aside. Generally, one praise. ” Karda is wrong. The correct long sentence follows the, fravarane for- sentence is yazishn kard hom “I per- mula with various khshumans, but in formed Yazishn (ceremony). ” The verb translations it is broken up into various • yezisni karda horn'. “I may solemnize and execute my hymns of praise. ” Yezisni is a popular form for yazishn; and in this context it is the Yazishn ceremony with recitation of 72 chapters and offer- This advance (pre-publication) copy, contains Avesta and Pazand texts in tran ­ scription with translations of most of the texts, and ritual explanations and direc ­ tions. The compiler, in his preface, states the purpose and goal of the-publication: translations it is broken up into various is in the preterite first person singular • “This description of the Zoroastrian disjointed sentences; and this is done in form, and it cannot be translated as done Afrinagan ritual was initiated as a tool all Avesta texts. Other remarkable trans- by the compiler. for teaching English-speaking students lations: the correct pronunciation and ritual de­ tails. ” • “One goal of this project is to preserve the rituals with as much accuracy as pos ­ sible. ” Further, the compiler states “the eventual goal of encouraging standardi ­ zation ” of rituals, and normalization of ground. Very often both transcriptions Pazand text “in a very few cases. ” In so far as the rituals and their expla ­ nations are concerned, the proposed book may be regarded as a collection of di­ verse views and conflicting opinions found in various sources. Some times such explanations are vague and even translated bewildering, which can hardly be under ­ stood. The transcriptions and translations of Avesta texts are generally acceptable shtihatar (one word) “more by name, since they are based on already published more specially. ” It is an adverb in com- materials. Evidently, the compiler has parative degree, made changes in the published transla ­ tions at his sweet will. Hence in some cases his translations are mere para ­ phrase in florid and high flown language. The following examples are from pages transcription arc wrong. The same word 38-39: • Av. ashavan: “Asha-sanctified: one; ” “Asha-believing ” • Av. verethrem: “resistance ” • Av. aibigaya-. “that furthers life ” • Av. uzareshva'. “rise up” • Av. ashaone-. “of Asha ” • Av. alhro: “To Atar ” • Av. karsho-razam: “well-balanced ” So far as the Pazand texts are con ­ cerned, the compiler is on more slippery • drun yazata horn'. “I may offer damn. ” This again is wrong. What is yazata in this context? Even in popular recital it is correct yasht horn. The sentence is dron yasht hom, “I performed dron (cere ­ mony). ” • myazda hame rainam'. "friyazd which I shall accomplish at all times. ” The cor ­ rect sentence is, Myazd hame rayenam “I am performing Myazd (ceremony). ” The last three sentences indicate the and translations are faulty; in some cases transcriptions are wrong but translations are correct. Some examples are given original order of performing these three below from only one shorter text, Di- 6flc/ie, paragraphs 2-4, pages 66-67: • In paragraph 2: eight words are not performing the first two ceremonies an ­ nounces the beginning of the third. The • namchisti adar (two words): “whatever verb is in the present continuous tense name. ” Both transcription and transla ­ tion are wrong. The word is name hi- ceremonies: Yazishn, Dron and Myazd (Afrinagan). In this case, the Zoti after 86 Parsiana August T990 ‘Asha- first person singular. It cannot be trans ­ lated as done by the compiler. The same three sentences at p. 170-171 are differ ­ ently translated. This order of the three ceremonies mentioned above is observed • xajaste: not translated even today in the initiation ceremony of • xujistah: “well spent ” Navar. Further, the same order is men- • ke ra: “in each ” tioned in the Afrin of Rapithwin (page • sahiyari'. “year. ” Both translation and 180). Some other instances are briefly noted occurs in Nam Stayishn (pages 62-63), below (paragraphs 7-8): where it is correctly sheharyari, “sover ­ eignty, ” because it is borrowed from Dhabhar. • avaza: “strength. ” Transcription is wrong. The word is oj Av aojah “strength. ”• num chisti: “respectfully. ” This is one by the proposed publication. One won ­ ders what useful purpose will be served by publication of the proposed book, ex- word wrongly broken up. Namchishti, “by name, name by name, specially. ” • zenderawan-. “blessed souls. ” Wrong, cep't perhaps ostentation! * It is “living soul. ” (This review was undertaken at the re- • asat vastra-. missing in translation. quest of the Editor and it was handed • gustasp shah luhurasp Shah: “Shah over to him in December 1989.) Gustasp and Shah Lorasp. ” Hormazdyar K. Mirza • mobit shapur mobit sihryar: “Mobed Shapur and Mobed Saheryar. ” • mobit harmaz yar ervat ram “Mobed Harmazyar and Ervad Ram- yar. ” Regarding Persian Rivayats, quoting North American Zoroastrian Congress in Dhabbar ’s translation the compiler states Montreal. A year later his navjote, per- (pages 10, 12, 13, 16): “Kaus Kamdin formed by two Parsi and two Irani stated... ” “According to Kamdin mobeds, caused an uproar among the Shapur... ” “Bahman Punjia says... ” Parsi community in India {Parsiana, In these cases, the compiler wrongly March, April, May 1983). For two more assumes that the Zoroastrians mentioned years he read with tight lips all that was here are the writers of the respective Ri- written about him and the two Parsi offi- vayats. The opinions and explanations dating priests in various papers (the Irani given in the Rivayats are those of the priests were completely ignored by the Zoroastrians of Iran. In these Rivayats, Parsi community in India). Then he re- none of the three Zoroastrians mentioned tired in isolation as if he did not exist for says anything in the matter of religion, the cause he had so dramatically symbol- They only carried the questions to Iran ized. and brought answers from Iran to India. Occasional news about Peterson re ­ in the matters of recital of sacred texts vealed that, firm in his faith, he was busy and performance of ceremonies, one re- ................ . quires constant practice and experience, besides language study under expert quently occuring words in them, on to a supervision. One cannot explain or computer file. Now, seven years after understand the intricacies of these sub- the Montreal episode, he has, as silent as jects merely by reading books. Such ever, come up with The Afrinagan Serv- books, written by an expert, after proper ice, a book he has “compiled ” on a study and experience, may serve as a word processor in 212 pages, xeroxed it guide, but they cannot play the role of a in many copies, and bound it in plastic, preceptor. The books, wntten and com- only to present it to his friends and those piled without proper study and experi- who ask for it. ence, would perpetuate faulty readings and other shortcomings. It is necessary to state specially that, in the matter of all the observations in this review, there is not a single contro ­ versial item. All statements contain well details. ” True to this statement, Peter- settled facts, universally accepted. son has given in a unique collection of On the strength of what has been seven chapters and two tables: Padyab- stated and quoted above, one can with kusti, the short Gahs, Sarosh Baj, full justification conclude that the compiler five Gahs, Atash Niyayesh, Nam Stayish, has no knowledge of the relevant Ian- the Dibache, 11 Afrinagans (blessings . guages — Avesta, Pahlavi, Pazand, Per- recited in Avestan), eight Afrins (bless- sian. Total absence of language studies ings recited in Pazand), and Tan-darosti. is quite evident. In these circumstances The two tables give the number of Ahuna can one lay a claim to “the correct pro- Vairyas to be recited with each Afri- nunciations, ” as done by the compiler? nagan, and the Pazand Khshnumans or How can one claim standardization and dedications for each Afrinagan. normalization? The key to pronunciation “follows One would with regret conclude that Prof W. W. Malandra, An Introduction to the compiler ’s ambitious purpose, as Ancient Iranian Religion, Minneapolis, srated by him, would not be fulfilled, and 1983.” It comes as close as possible to his laudable goal would not be attained the Parsi way of pronouncing Avesta, » to 88 Parsiana August 1990 yar: In 1982, American engineer Joseph H. Peterson spoke of his belief in the Zoroastrian religion in subdued words to an applauding audience at the Fourth the cause he had so dramatically symbol- with his self-imposed task of transferring all the Avestan texts, and the most fre- The brief Preface of two paragraphs states: “This description of the Zoroas ­ trian Afrinagan ritual was initiated as a tool for teaching English-speaking stu ­ dents the correct pronunciation and ritual M. NUSSERWANJI & COMPANY Transport Contractors & Fleet Owners PUK —BOMBAY MAOBAS —BANGALORE Trusted name in Road Transport for over three decades Head Office: 94, Mahatma Gandhi Road Pune 411001The goal of encouraging standardization Rituals, I be- The North American Council of Mobeds, the Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America (FEZ- ANA), the religious and educational com- The author has chosen the Afrinagan mittees of every association in North service perhaps because it “is central to i America and abroad, and those who be- the outer or public ceremonies of Zoroas- lieve that Zoroastrianism is a religion of trianism. It generally invokes blessings rituals, have been advocating the compi- for the entire congregation... It also com- lation of such a book since long. Here memorates the departed members of the then is the desired project already in its community. Thus, it serves an important best possible form. It has the phonetic social function in addition to its religious texts, a fair translation in good American function. ” He mostly uses Geldner ’s English, details that will enlighten the la- " ¦ ‘ I ity and also many a mobed, and by a man (K. F. Geldner, Avesta, the Sacred Books who, unlike most oFthe converts, believes of the Parsis). Yet, whenever required, in spirituality and continuity of the tradi- he also turns to other manuscripts and tional rituals. Here it is to save many Pazand and Neo-Persian texts. The goal of encouraging standardization theZoroastrianTradition),'^.'^.Malan- Iranis should find it a little strange. The within the community. Rituals, I be- dra (An Introduction to Ancient Iranian Introduction provides details of each lieve, serve many functions: social, psy- Religion), and F. Wolff (Avesta, die hieli- service to the reader in simple language, chological, dramatic, educational, and of genj^ucher der Parsen). The Afrinagan Service has the translation course purely religious and cosmic func- on the left and the text on the right for tions. In addition to judging them on the following 179 pages. The “Refer- those terms, one can also judge them his- ences ” at the end give a fair list of all the torically. ” books available in English on the serv- "" ices. The Preface, brief as it is, says in a modest tone that this book “is not in ­ tended to supercede materials already in use for that purpose, nor should it be con ­ sidered an authorized version. There are still many issues that need to be ad ­ dressed, and all comments are welcome. Many of these issues are not necessarily standard vulgate edition of the Avesta problems in the sense that variations in ------ practice can be reported without attempt ­ ing to evaluate their religious merit. ... ___ ...... Choices had to be made for which usage writings to complete his work. For the planning bodies the duplication of a fait is placed in the body of the text, and translation part of the book, he follows accompli. All that the learned mobeds of which variants are relegated to footnotes. A. H. Bleeck (The Religious Books of the North America can do is to hold a meet- I can only state from the outset that this Parsees), Prof Mary Boyce (Textual ing to consider the book in its entirety, is unavoidable. Sources for the Study of Zoroastrianism), give suggestions for improvement and J. Darmesteter (Sacred Books of the have it published as a standard text. If East), Ervad B. N. Dhabhar (Translation Peterson was not “accepted ” by some in *“ ¦ .......................... ..... the community, his devotional work can Dhalla (The Niyaishes or Zoroastrian well be. “One goal of this project is to pre ­ serve the rituals with as much accuracy as possible. At the same time, I would ofZand-i Khurtak Avistak), Dastur M. N. like to present enough background mate- F' " ~ rial to examine variants with the eventual Litanies), G. Kreyenbroek {Sraosha in Ali A. Jafarey With Best Compliments Of HOSHANG J. BUCHIA & CO ENGINEERS & CONSTRUCTORS 4/24, Tata Mills Co-op Housing Society Ltd Elphinstone Road, Bombay 400012 Tel: 4112539 90 Parsiana August 1990bi Sweetness at noon Geeta Doctor The Ice-Candy -Man by Bapsi Sidhwa. Published by Penguin UK. Pp: 227. Price: £4. the Government house, the keeper of the lion at the Lahore zoO, the Pathan who brings her pistas from Kabul and of course the droll, ubiquitous Ice-Candy- Man with the caressing toes who has a way of looking for Ayah ’s soft spots. Each one of them represents a different lie in looking back at the past without a community, or has a personal history that desire to moralize. Children too ate sin- will be put to the test in the caldron of gularly amoral. They accept situations communal upheaval ahead of them and, as they come. Sidhwa re-creates this At the heart of every Indian child, there as they come. Sidhwa re-creates this to some extent, they are caricatures, is an ice-candy-man calling. He wanders state of looking at the world without Even the Ice-Candy-Man ’s transforma ­ in on hot afternoons selling the longed- embarrassment with a sangfroid that is, tion from the lighthearted lover to the for, but always forbidden, pleasures of at times, startling. What are we to make dreadful nemesis of the Ayah ’s fate, in ice, scraped up and scooped into a pop- of a little girl who enjoys clambering which Lenny plays a tragic part, is too side, that he expertly douses with equal onto her father ’s lap as he sits on the sudden to be entirely convincing. But parts of syrup and colored essence. As commode every morning? Or as she the range of characters is fascinating and every child also knows, lurldng in the watches with detached fascination the Sidhwa gives them enough touches of heart of this icy sweetness are the germs first waves of Sikh-Muslim separatists humanity for us to be deeply involved, as of every dread^ childhood disease. marching through Lahore, holding aloft each one of them stands up, turns and Bapsi Sidhwa ’s evocation of a Lahore “a naked child, twitching on a spear be- twists, in sudden conversions or convul- childhood, seen through the eyes of a tween (the) shoulders ” which leads her sions of belief, and is carried along or de- precocious child called Lenny, is as - sweet and enticing as the popsicles that the meltingly named hero of her novel sells. It could be argued that he is not really the hero, but his very name con ­ jures the secret world of Lenny ’s child ­ hood. As the story begins, Sidhwa re-creates the comfortable lifestyle and apparently unassailable security of a Parsi family living in Lahore before Partition. Lenny ’s is a serene childhood even though she has been afflicted with polio imitation of the cruelty, until she breaks small Parsi community lecture the others at a very young age. It is almost as if the down in sobs. on the meaning of Mahatma Gandhi ’s limp slows her down to observe people _ _ and situations around her more closely, universe in the midst of the flames of satyagraha, someone in the crowd At least it gives her a specialness, even Partition giyes the book its intensity. It grumbles, “Who does this Gandhi think within the specialness of being a Parsi. describes the ordinariness of the horror he is. Is it his grandfather ’s ocean? ” There are delightful vignettes of family as it seeps into the lives of people who life, the interludes between Lenny ’s have nothing to do with the hatred and Sidhwa ’s portrayal looking decidedly beautiful mother and gruff father, that are the pain but who will have to hate and absurd with his obsession with enemas unselfconsciously erotic in their tender- destroy in return because they have no and the bowel movements of his follow ­ ness, the squabbles between Lenny choice. Sidhwa tells the story in the ers. In one chapter Lenny is taken to see and her younger brother Adi and their most oblique manner possible. Not only Gandhi by her mother and, as Lenny re- first intimations of the conflict ahead does she reflect it through Lenny ’s eyes counts it, the entire conversation is taken which they experience when they hide but even the main protagonists are the up with the subject. Gandhi even admits under the dining table of an adults ’party. Besides this, Lenny also has the pres ­ ence of her extended family around her. ___ ____ ______ _ , There is her wonderful godmother, with homes have access to a netherworld of serves, “Gandhiji is certainly ahead of her impossible nagging alter ego named servants and their friends, whom their his times. He already knows the advan- Slavesister, and her slightly porcine parents will neither know, nor care to tage of dieting. He has starved his way cousin who obligingly initiates her into know, about. Sidhwa seems to re-create into the news and made headlines all the mysteries of adolescent sex and also this secret world with an immediacy and over the world. ” How would Lenny encourages her to put a finger into an poignancy that elevates Lenny ’s beloved know at that time that he was ahead of open electricity socket. Lenny ’s chief Ayah to the status of a rich ripe goddess, his time, one wonders. Later on the nar- characteristic is a curiosity to observe, surrounded by a pantheon of admirers rator as Lenny, or vice versa, concludes unclouded by guilt It is an attribute she formed of casual acquaintances, the mas- the chapter with another perplexing shares with Sidhwa, whose gift seems to sagewala or masseur, the gardener from aside. She describes Gandhi ’s power as It is a passionate account of Partition told through the cooling mists of Parsi humor to ritually dismember her best doll in stroyed by the river of flame that runs through the country. It is a passionate account of Partition told through the cooling mists of humor — Parsi humor one would like to say. Is humor a special weapon that minority communities such as the Jews and the Parsis have evolved to keep themselves from being sucked down into the bogs of history? One cannot say; but there are abundant examples of it rippling through the novel. Even as the leaders of the The positioning of Lenny ’s cool, calm civil disobedience movement and the salt I’m afraid that Gandhi* comes out of unseen creatures who inhabit the fringes to administering the enemas himself to of Indian society. It’s probably true that his female followers, explaining that he most Indian children from privileged is like a mother to them. Lenny ob- 92 Parsiana August 1990being a very feminine hypnotic force and then adds, that beneath it she detects the ice, that leads to all the madness of Parti ­ tion. Mohammedali Jinnah, by way of contrast, is portrayed as so intelligent and well turned out that he even manages to marry a beautiful Parsi girl of noble blood. We are told of how he is broken ­ hearted when she dies at the age of 29, which may be true enough, as a reading of Stanley Wolpert ’s Jinnah of Pakistan will show. It’s also a fact that both Jin ­ nah and his wife had separated long be- Buddhahood by P. D. Mehta. Published in 1988 by JS: WaS Zarathushtrianism free of the fore the event and it is more likely that it dogmatic element: that it was the only was lhe ice to her hnstend-s heU tat SI’’™,i;K.lS7 te: £7 95 inicreligion ’ led Ruttie Petit Jinnah to her tragically The book Buddhahood is a collection of PM: 1 think so, very largely. Of course, early end. Sidhwa ’s viewpoint on these two con ­ flicting personalities is a peculiarly Paki ­ stani one. Long after Partition, when this the quarterly journal of the Buddhist So ­ reviewer was studying in Karachi, a very cicty. Many of the essays were origi- common epithet of abuse in the Pakistani nally lectures delivered under the aus- Press, to debunk Hindus, was “pulse pices of the Society, eating, gas filled babus. ” Sidhwa con ­ tinually plays upon this image among of sound advice from one who has actually which had, for instance, the notion of a her Muslim characters. She even man ­ ages to add her two bit worth of com ­ mentary on what she feels was an unfair urban life, ” notes an introduction by edi- Reality defies description Element Books Ltd, Longmead, Shaftesbury, Dorset SP7 8BR, UK. Pp: 187. Price: £7.95 essays authored by Phiroz Mehta who, most Zarathushtrians believe it is the best for over a period of 30 years, has been religion, and the later scriptures call it contributing articles to The Middle Way, that; but this seems to be a universal characteristic of all the religions... JS: How did you first come across Bud­ dhism? PM: Just by reading books. I noticed that In this book “the reader will find it differed substantially from Hinduism, Striven to lead the holy life as a house- personal entity, the jivatman, which holder amidst the hurly-burly of modem comes back into incarnation life after life until final liberation is attained; whereas tor John Snelling. Buddhism, of course, has no such thing A retired school teacher, Mehta has as an atman in its teachings. I noticed for several years served as a lecturer and that very carefully and couldn ’t reconcile Sidhwa's gift seems to liO in lOOkinO back organized summer schools and group the two views at all... . meetings. In addition to authoring four JS: What school did you attend? at the past without a books, he has also written numerous PM: I started at the Government Training riociro mnroli?^ articles. College in Colombo, a secondary school aesire to moralize instead of reviewing this book. Par- of a very high standard that was later articles. Instead of reviewing this book, Par­ siana preferred to carry edited excerpts amalgamated with the Royal College... portrayal of Jinnah in David Attenbor- from the book where the author (PM) has JS: You had a disposition towards ough ’s film, Gandhi. Such insights tend been interviewed by John Snelling (JS). science, I believe? to hamper the smooth movement of the The author ’s background, as also his phi- PM: Yes, particularly chemistry... novel. losophy is conveyed in this passage. JS: This was in fact what you studied in Finally there is also, to Indian ears, Cambridge? the slight sound of ingratiation, the de- JS: Phiroz, could we begin with your PM: Yes, I did natural sciences... sire not just to amuse but to entertain and early years in Ceylon (Sri Lanka): how JS: What impact did Cambridge make to draw the approval of a Western audi- did religion affect your life then? upon you? ence. This is a common enough quirk of PM: I was brought up as a Zara- PM: I loved it right from the beginning, a person used to the colonial yoke, but is no longer necessary or evident in the younger writers of the sub-continent to ­ day. It makes The Ice-Candy-Man a little talking with them... I was always inter ­ cloying at times. But it’s well worth the ested in deeply religious matters, particu- risk of too much sweetness to savor the larly in the meaning of immortality: thrill Of Sidhwa ’s temptation. losophy is conveyed in this passage. thushtrian...but I went to a school where both the academic and the social sides. I there were boys of various different re- was accepted by the other undergradu- ligions and I naturally got interested in ates... particularly due to my music. An Indian who could play Beethoven sona- tos, Chopin and Lizst on the piano!... jS: Did music and science ever eclipse whence did we come and whither do we religion in your life? go after death? Later on we had a Theo- PM: No, religion played the greater part sophical friend in our family who used to in my life always. come and see us, and I got very attracted JS: Following Cambridge. I suppose you Bapsi Sidhwa was bom in Karachi and brought up in Lahore. An active social worker among Asian women, she represented Pakistan at the to the idea of the unity of religions as far embarked upon a career? Asian Women’s Congress held in 1975. She . - . - - — ---------- - has published two other novels, The Crow Eat­ ers and The Bride, Sidhwa,divides her time be­ tween the United States, where she teaches, and Pakistan. as the fundamentals are concerned. That PM: Yes, I studied under Solomon, the was how I came to read about other relig- great pianist, for eight-and-a-half years. I ions and to study them and practise gave one or two little recitals here and meditation... there but nothing great until in 1934 I 94 Parsiana August 1990went to India and gave my first public recital in Lahore... I (married) Silvia, daughter of Dr J. H. Shaxby... in England in July 1939. When World War II broke out, I applied to join the R.A.F. (but was rejected because)... I contracted severe neuritis, which lasted five years. JS: If the R.A.F. was out, what other vo ­ cation did you find for yourself? PM: Lecturing... John Heure, professor of geography in Manchester University.,, suggested that I might be usefully em­ ployed writing and lecturing on Indian culture and philosophy. He therefore got a group of people in Manchester Univer ­ sity who were holding an extramural conference to invite me to give a lecture on the theme of Race, Religion and Poli ­ tics in India... Inside three months I was lecturing every day of the week, by rc- quest, giving in all hundreds of lectures during the War years. After the War... began my school teaching career. In later years I confined myself to chemis ­ try because that was the subject I knew really well... JS: To return to the religious side of ' things: did you ever have a teacher or belong to a group? PM: No, I never had a special guru or any such thing. It was all my own study, my own practice, my own observation. That is how I have now come to talk and lecture on the topic of holistic conscious ­ ness... You know, there are those who use the phrase: ‘Don ’t struggle hard. Leave it to God. ’ There ’s a great deal of wisdom in that... Just leave it to that which is transcendent and the Transcen ­ dent will do the needful, provided you have the good sense to let It do so. We also have statements like: ‘If you take one step towards the Divine, the Divine moves leagues towards you. ’ That is a fact because we are so completely inter ­ related and interactive with the Totality that whatever we do produces a response from Totality... JS: The question comes up now and again whether this Totality is indifferent to man, or whether it cares about his fate. •PM: These are incorrect ways of express ­ ing the matter. You see, whenever we talk like that, as, for instance, the theists do when they say, ‘God cares for us and wants us to do so-and-so, ’ then it is all nonsensical talk. Talking in theistic lan ­ guage has great limitations, for the God cited is invariably a (human) creation. JS: Is it then possible to say anything about Ultimate Reality — or are all such attempts futile? BUY THE BEST PRODUCTS OF REPUTE MAFCO’S Mutton, Beef, Pork Cold Cuts and Vegetables VENKY’S Special Tender Broilers Legs, Breast and tasty Chicken-in-Minutes products Also Chicken Liver, Curry Pcs Boti and a wide range of other Chicken delicacies AL-KABEER’S World Class Mutton Khima, Brain, Veal, Chops Beef and Meat products SHALIMAR Pork Products Always remember TARACHAND & Co COLD STORAGE OF REPUTE 80, Sleater Road N. Bharucha Marg Grant Road (W) Bombay 400007 Ph: 383691, 389531 We give free home delivery Bulk orders accepted 97 Parsiana August 1990n PM: It defies description. All description is necessarily limiting, because all lan ­ guage represents the sphere of the finite, temporal and mortal. Since we are our ­ selves existential beings, let us be con ­ tent with tending the existential in the live... right way... (There is no sense saying) * I sperm fertilizes an ovum, there is a rear- ness; and with it is associated Ameretav. rangement of the genes in such a way immortality. But, of course, Zarathushtia that the person who comes into being is never explained that immortality is to be totally different from either parent and understood and realized here while we arc from anyone else who ever lived or will alive. “ . Zarathushtra was also the first teacher ness; and with it is associated Ameretav. wnnt IS no sense saying) / I know, of course, that there are to teach that the evil-doer wUl suffer heU rS-z for all time after death and that the good- inevitable, absolute conse- doer will be in heaven for all time. Now h/a Ji egotistic nonsen^! quence...whereas the Universe does dis- I ask, ‘How is it possible for a Umited ’ P^y elasticity in its functioning. There finite human being so to live that he pro- Shakespeare. ’ If a fellow IS endowed i? element cf chance.... V/c want to " cuimncpiu with little masteiy over language and impose our concept of justice on every- is the element of chance..,. We want to duces an infinite consequence? ’ Quite 1 . r . ¦;rT — — —'—*'* «*• vtvij - impossible! These are absurd teac hin gs ® leinarkable insights, thing... Our systems of justice are ones of and I’ve said so in my book on Zarathush- he s talking nonsense if he says that.. retributive justice: paying out to others tra. . . , To live a good life just frwn fear of the real karmic process, is a healing hell is the wrong way altogether. Fear has process: a making whole; an activity never succeeded in making whole, in which moves towards holistic conscious- making holy — never! I think in the oast pACe Tf OAiriAfkiw™ 4.^ li_____ Y « « . - - t**** don ’t go and cut it out and throw it away. ne s talking nonsense if he says that.. retributive justice: paying out to others JS: Would you say that past lives prepare for what they have done. But real iustice a being for the future? .... •' PM: There is no such thing as previous or future lives for any identifiable entity. IS: But surely there must be predeter ­ mining factors preceding remarkable oc ­ currences? _____________ __ PM: The existential being — that is to lights of modem science, but that, of say, the organism — comes into existence via a tremendous process of evolution... _____________ __ passing through the stages of the reptiles, beginning. The fifSi " amibute^of Ahura the mammas, the primates and man him- Mazda is Haurvatat, which means self. We inherit all this. But when a health, wholeness, holiness, complete ­ process: a making whole; an activity 1 • ........................... something happens to my liver, I people clung to the notion of hell as a don ’t go and cut it out and throw it away, means of maintaining the social order. Sometimes I may have to according to the You just simply terrified the pop ular^ 1- - thing... Perfectly ridiculous course, is not true healing... nonsense! Finish with the fear of hell and Zarathush&a taught that right at the simply live the pure human life. Human life means the religious life in the true sense... You will find happiness and frui ­ tion thereby. Mazda is Haurvatat, which THE COMMUNITY FARES WELL AT TATAS ¦ SS: Community welfare is a social responsibility voluntarily accepted by Tatas many years ago. It was this sense of responsibility that prompted Sir Ratan Tata to finance studies into the causes of poverty in 1912, and the Tata Trusts to establish institutions like the Tata Memorial Hospital for Cancer Research and treatment and the Tata Institute ai Social Sciences. igsN-y.;:-:;:;:-:-:-::-:! H- I in fact Tatas have gone so far as to turn the entire town of Jamshedpur into a model in community living. There are wide roads, tree-lined avenues, hospitals and family clinics, and schools which any community would be proud of. TATA ENTERPRISES M >5jiH M 99 Parsiana August 1990MILESTONES The age of 2k)roastriw brides in A boy to Zarine and Siudiarukh Bombay — as listed in this issue Gnnd/i<; June 29 — ranged between 23 and 33 A boy to Farida and Dadi years, the arithmetic mean (the Unwala; July 1 total of individual ages divided A boy to Aban and Phiroz by the total number of brides) Dubash’ , July 5 being 27 years. The corres- ~ ponding figures for the grooms were 23 and 54 years, averaging at 33 years. As compared to 81 deaths in Bombay there were 19 births in the month of July. Heart dis ­ ease claimed 19 lives, pneumo ­ nia and lung disease, 15, old age and general debility, 13. Cancer July 10 claimed five victims whUe kid ­ ney failure, brain disease, hypertension and diabetes took four lives each. Two patients July 14 ' each succumbed to bronchitis, septicemia and liver disease. Among the isolated cases regis ­ tered last month were: ulcers, asthma, Hodgkin ’s disease (a neoplastic disease that is charac ­ terized by the progressive en ­ largement of the lymph nodes, spleen and liver and by progres ­ sive anemia), gastroentritis, Guilhan-'Barrd Syndrome (in ­ flammation of the nerves result ­ ing in paralysis), epilepsy, athe ­ rosclerosis (deposition of fatty Katila’ , July 23 substances and fibrosis in the A Iwy to Sabrina and Gev inner layers of the arteries) and Khergamwala’ , July 23 nervous disorder. The youngest A boy to Hoofriz and Kayomarz to die was a 38-year-Old man; the eldest, two 96-year-old women The data on births, marriages and deaths has been compiled from information supplied by Manek Keki Nagporwala and various newsletters and anju- Aspandyar Barjor Daboo’, mans in India and abroad, courts and hospitals. This information is not always complete or con ­ sistent. In the breakup of deaths according to illnesses, espe ­ cially of the elderly, death is often due to a combination of several diseases. If readers have any births/ marriages/deaths they would Sovak Banker, July 9 Jike published, some proof to Huafrish Jal Tata and Farokh ensure the veracity of the report would be required. We are sure our readers would aj^reciate this requirement and cooperate July 12 'IS- Freny Rustomji Siodia and Karl Sohrab Munshi, July 26 Behnaz Burjor Motiwalla and Firdosh Jamasp Irani’ , July 27 Pervih Ardestur Irani and Rashid Khodabux Ridjbani of Poona; July 29 L anemia). BOMBAY Born A boy to Kashmira and Sarosh Dub^h on June 28,1990 101 Parsiana August 1990 Firoza Jamshedji Gay of Baroda and Porusp Faramroze Tarapore’ , July 30 A girl to Tenaz and Firdosh Karwa’ , July 7 A girl to Dilshad and Honuyar Subedar’, July 9 A boy to Arnavaz and Joseph Thomas’ , July 9 A girl to Minme and Rolun Dotiwala’ , July 10 A boy to Dolly and Dara Patel’ , A boy, Danesh, to Shirin and Kersi Khambatta-, July 14 A girl to Villoo and Adil Mistry, A boy to Benaifer and Hoshang Billimoria’ , July 15 A girl to Jessica and Jasper Kateli’ , July 15 A boy to Benaifer and Saryay MalUk’ , July 16 A girl to Mahrukh and Cyrus Khajotia’ , July 19 A girl to Behroze and Cyrus Palsetia’ , July 20 A boy to Pervin and Aspi Panthald’ , July 20 A boy to Anaita and Daraius Dotiwala’ , July 25 A boy to Kamal and Pervez Dotiwala’ , July 25 Married April 8 Hutoxi Jal Dumasia and Darayus Jamshed Mistry of Nasik; May 17 Firuza Adi Daruwala and Ardeshir Noshir Batliwalla-, June 2 Pers 'is Manchi Baliwala of Ontario, Canada and Cyrus Behram Irani’ , July 9 Villoo Shorab Irani and Sohrab Eruch Rudina oi Bangalore; Kersi Framroze Ilataria (65), 204, Ivory Towers, Juhu Koliwada, Santacruz (W), 400054; July 9 Meherbcu Kaikobad Karkaria (92), 86, Ardeshir Dadi St, Khetwa^, 400004; July 10 Jehangir Pirojshah Balsara (75), B/25, Meherzin, Wodehouse Rd, 400005; July 12 Peshotan Framroze Raimalwalla (67), Sethna Bldg, Meherbai Wadia St, Tardeo, 400034; July 12 Dina Bejanjee Surtee (76), 51, Hill Rd, Bandra (WX 400050; July 12 Firdosh Maneck Vajifdar (40), Wadia Agiary, LaUiaug, 400012; July 12 Piroja Pestonji Wadia (80), Taher Bldg, Jalbhoy St, Chami Rd, 400004; July 12 Rustomji Ratanji Contractor (81), 183/A, Maker Towcts , Cuffe Parade, 400005; July 13 Kaikhushru Jamshedji Dastur (63), 104, Kavrana Bldg, Marine Lines, 400020; July 13 Shirin Burjorji Desai (89), B, Simla Hse, Nepean Sea Rd, 400036; July 13 Lily Cawasji Engineer (77), 347/ C, United Chmbs, Grant Rd, 400007; July 13 Khorshedbanoo Ardeshir Patel (93), Gulab Simo Vihar, 759, Rd No 7, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; July 13 Died Erach Phirojsa Irani (40), residing at Petit Chawl, Thakurdwar, 400002; June 29 Rusi Navroji Bharucha (58), Shirin Mans, Sleater Rd, 400007; July 1 Dhunjishaw Shapurji Poonawala (88), 1, Pushpa Vihar I, Colaba, 400005; July 1 Hirabai Nariman Amrolia (82), 7/B/4, Tata Clny, Tardeo Rd, 400034; July 2 Phiroze Hormusji Mahwa (75), 12, Malcolm Bang, Jogeshwari (W), 400102; July 2 Marzban Hormusji Patel (87), 1/24, Dhunbai Wadi, Dadabhai Rd, Vile Parle, 400056; July 2 Shirinbai Jalejar Adajania (79), Malegaonwalla Bldg, Mahim, 400016; July 3 Perin Framroze Cooper (77), Neel Kamal Bldg, Proctor St, Grant Rd, 400007; July 3 Gulistan Rusi Billimoria (69), 30, Sethna Bldg, Thakurdwar, 400002; July 4 Motan Framroze Karai (80), Khalakdina Ter, Gowalia Tank, 400036; July 4 Behram Rustomji Mistry (72), Navyug Chmbs, 165, Laming- ton Rd, 400007; July 4 Jehangir Pestonji Bhathena (81), A, Jer Bang, Dr Ambedkar Naval Hormusji Pafch (80), Rd, Byculla, 400027; July 5 Khorshedbanu Cawasji Cooper (94), 60, Shivlal Motilal Bldg, 400008', July 5 Roda Phiroze Meherji (65), Sidhwa Bldg, 281, Princess St, 400002; July 5 Shera Sovak Oomrigar (96), 9, Carnation, Kadeshwari Marg, Bandra (W), 400050; July 6 Dosa Jal Nanji (74), A/604, Nestle, Lokhandwala Complex, Andheri (W), 400058; July 7 Ruttonshaw Pestonji Bhathena (95), C/604, Laxmi Nivas, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; July 8 Minoo Khurshedji Canteenwala (58), RBin/7/5, Railway Qtrs, Koliwada, Sion, 400022; July 8 Gooloo Jinwny {Jamshedji} Jeejibhoy (62), 51/B, Paradise Apt, 44, Nepean Sea Rd, 400026; July 8 Hilla Kekobad Patel (78), 63, Ocean Crest, 85, B. Desai Rd, 400036; July 8 Adville, 34, Ridge Rd, Malabar HUI, 400006; July 13 Piroj Maneckji Daruvala (71), 1, Master Bldg, Mori Rd, Mahim, 400016; July 14 Mehernosh Minoo Ichhtytoria (38), 4, Siddhi Vinayak Apts, Mulund (E), 400081; July 14 Keki Byrarhsha Pardiwalla (65), 4/30, A. H. Wadia Baug, Parel Tank Rd, 400033; July 14 Jehangir Khodadad Sasani {Ti), 204, Old Sitaram Bldg, Princess St, 400002; July 14 Pesi Bomanji Mistry (76), F. S. Parukh Dharamshalla, 34, Hughes Rd, 400007; July 15 Sapal Framroze Bhandari (62), 11, Mody Bldg, Gamadia Clny, Tardeo, 400007; July 17 Jehangir Jamshed Mistry (68), 5/2, Nasvanji Tata Bldg, S. V Rd, Bandra, 400050; July 17 Roshan Maneckshaw Sethna {’ll}, 9/5, Sorab Bharucha Rd, Colaba, 400005; July 17July 21 Namdar Kaikashroo Irani (65), 66, Mistry Park, Warden Rd, 400036; July 21 Dina Nariman Kelawala (76), Tehmurusp Pallonji Wadia (83), 12, Surti Chmbs, Ehrd Dhobita- lao Lane, 400002; July 17 Hormusji Jehangirji Jasumani (78), Room 13, M. P. Contractor Chawl, BycuUa, 400027; July 18 13, J^eghat Clny, Hughes Nasservan Navroji Bharucha (89), B, Shirin Mans, Gamadia Clny, Tardeo, 400007; July 19 Kavas Jamshedji Boga (77), 651/5, Karanjia Bldg, Dhobita- lao, 400002; July 19 Dinshaw Jehangirji Makhania (66), F, Dalal Est, Bombay Central, 400008; July 19 Jeejeebhoy Nanabhoy Marshall (95), 71, El Cid, 13. Ridge Road, 400006; July 19 Darabsha Sorabji Bharucha (81), Petit Sanatorium, August Kranti Marg, 400036; July 21 Ruby Rustomji Bharucha (70), 12, Ratan Tata Bldg, C. J. Clny, Tardeo, 400034; July 21 Freny Mino Bhathela (68), 95, Eruch Villa, Almeida Rd, Bandra, 4(X)050; July 21 Roshan Faredoon Delkhah (40), 135/13, Sindhi Soc, Chembur, 400071; July 21 Boman Behram Irani (77), Wagla Cooper Bldg, 12th Khetwadi Lane, 4(X)004; Rd, 400007; July 21 Minoo Rustomji Mistry (15), 3/32, A. H. Wadia Bang, Parel Tank Rd, 400033; July 21 Tehmina Dossabhoy Sahukar (88), 14, Petit Block, Marzban Clny, Gilder Lane, 400007; July 21 Gool Hormasji Vesuna (72) bl6, Faredoon Ter, Katrak Rd, Wadala, 400031; July 21 Naval Dinshaw Banker (63), Wimbridge Hse, 20, Sleater Rd, 400007; July 22 Jamshed Sorabji Billimoria (82), Brightlands Glow, 195, Turner Rd, Bandra (W), 400050; July 22 Khodaram Aspandeyar Hush- mendy (75), 401, Wavelash, Perry Cross Rd, Bandra, 400050; July 22 Faramroz Sorabji Keravala (82), Palia Mans, 622, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; July 22 Maneck Khurshed Antia (13), 12, Shangrila, Colaba Post St, Tardeo, 400034; July 28 Rustom Hormusji Engineer (82), Sereneham, 661, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; July 29 Nergish Khurshed Gandhi (53), 220/E, The Reward, Tardeo, 400007; July 29 Uomi Jehangir Patel (15), Kanga Bldg, Dr Ambcdkar Rd, Dadar, 400014; July 29 Shirin Mino ocher Soonawala (86), 1/A, Sagar-Sangeet, 58, S. B. Rd, Colaba, 400005; July 29 Jerbai Eruchsa Bengali (85), 511, Kanak Vihar, Adenwalla Rd, Matunga, 400019; July 30 Khodaram Khodadad Bonya- nian (89), 302/A, Kishan Bldg, Gun Powder Lane, Mazgaon, 400010; July 30 Manijeh Hormuzdar Bharucha (96), 67, Rajal Apts, Mt Pleasant Rd, 400006; July 31 Avi Behram Cassinaih (58), 69/F, Amadi, Breach Candy, 400026; July 31 Sorabji Rustomji Gamadia (41}, Office, 400005; July 23 Kali Kaikhushroo Divecha (76), 903, Cumballa Crest, 42, Redder Rd, 400026; July 23 Homi Dhunjishaw Haladhwala (79), 11, Wadia Bldg, Malcolm Baug, Jogeshwari, 400102; July 24 Perin Noshirwan Kershaw (63), 12/A, Rustomjee Bldg, 17, Sleater Rd, 400007; July 25 Sorab Ratanshaw Bilimoria (73), 1/34, A. H. Wadia Baug, Parel Tank Rd, 400033; July 26 Najamai Bomanshah Mehta (92), Zenith Mans, 11, Nuserwanji Petit St, B alaram St, 400007; July 26 Hirabai Dhunjishaw Wadia (85), 6, Geetanjali, S. V. Rd, Borivli (E), 400066; July 27 Homi Kaikhushroo Bharucha (74), 16, Sethna Bldg, 216, Princess St, 400002; July 28 Adi Manchershah Captain (81), 17, A. K. Nayak Marg, Fort, 400001; July 28 . - Fardunjee Hormusjee Daruwala Windsor Chmbs, Cawasji (69), Daruwalla Chawl, Nargardas Rd, Andheri (E), 400069; July 28 Erachshaw Sorabji Engineer (92), Dubash Bldg, Kashinath Patel St, Fort, 400001; July 31 Roda Munchersha Nalawala (82), 19/A, Rustomji Bldg, 17, Sleater Rd, 400007; July 31 With Best Compliments From A WeU-WisIter 102 Parsiana August 1990CALCUTTA Married Sheena Chakhaiyar and Farhad Master; July 6 Died Dorabji Ardeshir Panthaki-, March 23 MOnek Keki Coachman (68), mother of Parvez and Nargez Viraf Marfatia; July 13 POONA Died Dhanjishaw Rustomjee (67), 15, Elpheston Rd, Dapodi, 411012; July 8 Bahadur Feroze Antia (66), 3/33, Guruprasad Hsg Soc, 24, Bund Garden Rd, 411001; July 9 Boman M. Pithawala (83), Bldg 1, Ardeshit Irani Rd, Nanapeth, 411009; July 9 Tehmi Pesi Engineer (78), Chidraihi Apts, Salisbury Park, 411001; July 11 Shirin K. Katrak (96), 1115, Canopus Apts, Boat Club Rd, 411001; July 11 Phiroze Jamshed Mehta of 'Allahabad (53), 203, Sidharth Towers, Fatima Ngr, 411013; July 21 CAMBRIDGE, UK KENT, UK Jehangir Hormasji Kaikobad Died Died (86), 19, Mody Clny, Synagogue Minocher Shavakshaw Oomrigar Firoze S. Dorabjee (JS), 5, The St, 411001; July 29 (77); March 21 Birches, Famborou^; May 15 Rustom Munchersha Daruwala (78), 36, Welsley Rd, 411001;- July31 SURAT Died Dhunmai Burjorji Karanjia (82), Vaki Bordi, 395003; July 4 Nergishbanu Ardeshir Vesuna (70), Nilappa Apts, Kalapesi St, Nanpura, 395001; July 5 Najoo Jehangir Meherji (68), Nariman Home and Infirmary, Shahpore, 395003; July 12 Banoo Mancherji Ghadialy (89), Wadia Hse, Maachli Pith, 395003; July 14 I^eki Dinshaw Kadva (80), Nariman Home and Infirmary, Shahpore, 395003; July 27 « « « BIRMINGHAM, UK Born A girl, Natasha, to Shenaz and Malcolm Batki-, June 7 CAMBRIDGE, UK Died (77); March 21 CHICAGO Married Cathy Godfrey of North Carolina and Cyrus Bamji; Jvme 3 Died Ardeshir R. Vajifdar (71), father of Pesi, Gool and Yasmin; June 8 DETROIT Married Bepsy Tavadia and Pesi Sanjana of Chicago; June 8 KARACHI Died Tehmina Rustamji Gamwala (83); May 3 Khorshed Fakirji Ghaswala f75y. May 4 Homi Khurshedji Bharucha (65); May 7 Dhunmai Maneckji Cooper (93); May 26 Rohinton Hormusji Dosabhoy (56); May 29 LONDON Born A boy, Dinyar, to Nilufer and Kobad Byramjee-, March 1 A boy, Cyrus, to Roshon and Mehernosh Khorshidchehr-, March 21 Married Ruby Shahiwalla, daughter of Dhun and Rusi, and Firoze Nari­ man Kapadia of Bombay; April 14 SUSSEX, UK Died CawasJehangirJi Bam (67), husband of Freany; May 10 TOTALS (for this issue) Births: Boys 16, Girls 8 Marriages: Parsi 12 Intercommunal 2 Deaths: 106 Compiled by Roxana H. Kaka Steamship agents — master stevedores dubashes — lighterage contractors Darabshaw B.Cursetjee's Sons (Bombay) Pvt. Ltd. Darabshaw House, Ballard Road, Bombay - 400 038. Grams: 'DEADWEIGHT Telex: 5824 DBCB IN Phone: 260021 (4 Lines) (Dock Office: 262230) Also associates at Calcutta, Vishakhapatnam, Kakinada, Mangalore, Bhavnagar, Bedi-port, Navlakhi, Veraval, Porbunder & Kandla. Also sole Government Landing contractors at Jamnagar, (6edi) Bhavnagar. 104 Parsiana August 1990IN MEMORIAM Taraporewala ’s im-print causes: the F. B. Taraporewala Memorial from where he graduated in philosophy. Fund, named after his father, that was Died: Arjasp Fram- . _ _ roze Taraporewala,88, Fund, named after his father, that was A widower for the last 37 years of his long-standing .presi- jointly founded by his family members life, since 1974 he started concentrating dent of the Madras and the proceeds of which go towards the more on his social work activities and for Parsi Zarthosti Anju ­ man and also the Ma ­ dras Parsi Associa ­ tion, and publisher of Naoroji Trust, on which he had served as four editions of the trustee, helped with scholarships for ladaroo. and brother Purvez Byramshaw. Khordeh Avesta in Hindi, on April 15, 1990 at his resi ­ dence in Madras following old age and source. He was also connected with the debility. Guild of Service and the Madras School “Even during his last days he was so of Social Work, worried about the future of the commu- ~ nity and wrote us a very moving letter his religion and prayers and never missed requesting us not to postpone our agiary celebrations if he should pass away, ” remembers Ms Mani Clubwala, joint Nalladaroo. honorary secretary of the Jal Phiroj Club- Hindi transliteration of the Khordeh wala Dar-e-Meher Eightieth Anniversary Avesta were considered “a labor of Celebrations and Fund Raising Commit ­ tee. For 27 years he had served as trustee of the Dar-e-Meher and in its eightieth pelled to learn Hindi... this book will be year celebrations his name headed the useful for Parsi children who cannot read list of patrons. Gujarati and to whom pronunciation in “His generous and silent contri- ~ .................... . . - • . butions...for a period of 60 years...not only to the Parsi community in Madras early years the habit of regular bandagi and elsewhere but to the poor and down- (prayers) that they will realize the tre- trodden and other institutions, ” were mendous power of our holy manthravani recollected in the condolence resolution (incantations). ” in his honor passed at the meeting jointly maintenance of the Dar-e-Meher and the last nearly 10 years opted to retire awards for excellence in education, sports, gallantry, etc. from his business, handing over the reins The Hormusji to his nephew Byramshaw. He is survived by his sister Dilla Nal- technical and industrial training of Zoroastrian students, informs a family “From childhood he had great faith in Tuning in to Masani !¦ Died; Ms Mehra Rus- H tom Masani, 76, first H director of the Exter- nal Services Division ¦ of All India Radio H (AIR) and subse- ¦ quently director of the Leslie Sawhny Train- ing Centre in Deolali, on April 6, 1990 in Roman script will be difficult... It is only Deolali following a prolonged bout of when the children acquire from their rheumatoid arthritis. “Mehra Masani seemed to symbolize what the radio stood for... a new medium of expression geared to all that is best in the intellectual and artistic world, ” wrote her colleague P. C. Chatterji in Pulse, convened by the Madras Parsi Zmthosti printing line. He had had considerable Number 118, the newsletter of the Leslie Anjuman, Madras Parsi Association and experience with the setting up of Aspy Sawhny Programme (LSP). As director the Jal Phiroj Clubwala Dar-e-Meher. Litho Works and Perina Printers that of the External Services Division she is For 10 years he was the president of the undertook litho press and letter press credited widi having provided the “back- - • ¦ ’ — .------- ixme ” in the form of The General Over­ seas Services in English which is bn the air for nearly 12 hours a day. “It was she dras Printers ’ and Lithographers ’ Asso- who was responsible for woiking out the ¦ ¦ ¦ " ¦ staff structure and program content which eral years, notes a write-up detailing his has remained largely constant ever since, ” informs Chatterji. Her familiarity with the workings of the broadcasting setup was so well- a prayer or a jashan till the time he (was incapacitated), ” recalls his sister Dilla The four editions of his love. ” As he explains in his preface, “Because every child in India is com- Taraporewala was not new to the printing jobs. He was better known in business circles by the name A. F. Byr- Anjuman, for nine years its vice presi ­ dent, and for three years its honorary sec ­ retary. As the first honorary treasurer of amshaw. A founder member of the Ma- the Madras Parsi Association, an off- d—" shoot of the Anjuman, organizing social ciation, he served as its president for sev- . and sports activities for its members, his < \ _ involvement with this institution spanned achievements. Before joining the print ­ several decades, serving as its president ing business Taraporewala had been as- for 20 years. During his tenure as presi ­ dent, Clubwala, who was then the secre ­ tary, remembers, “Whenever there was a loss in any function we held, he would II. pay for the deficit... or he would quietly buy tickets for all those who could not afford... ” His philanthropy extended to other 106 Parsiana August 1990 sociated with his father ’s business as a motorcar dealer and subsequently took known that she was appointed member up military contracts during World War secretary of the Chanda Committee that oversaw the performance of AIR. In ad- The Tarapur-bom Taraporewala had dition, she labored over the Masani Com- spent a major part of his life in Madras mittee Report that attempted to formu- where he studied at the Christian College late norms for manpower requirement for School and the Madras Christian College different AIR programs. When she wasthe deputy director general, she had the conveyed her “interest in broadcasting as INJUSTICE AT DOONGERWADI privilege of being the first AIR official to a tool for education, both general educa- page 58 be included in the Indian delegation to the tion and education for democracy. _ _ _ . UNESCO General Assembly in Paris in 1968, the write-up lists her achieve ­ ments. For nearly 40 years Masani was asso- „--------,------------- . ciated with the AIR After obtaining a the later years. Named after the late Col Tehemton Udwadia s wife Khorshed is master ’s degree from the London School Leslie Sawhny, the husband of Rodabeh Nazir ’s sister), my mother-in-law Mehra of Economics she began her career as pro ­ gram assistant in Bombay in the late ’30s, rising to the rank of station director in 1949 and finally retiring a year prema ­ turely around 1970, the highlights of her fessionals and others, professional life are mentioned in Chat- 1' terji ’s reminiscences. - L Management consultant Aspi Moddie rity, ” notes a write-up in Pulse. recalls his impressions of Masani: “She presence made all the difference to the “Roxan married in February 1984. We carried herself with the quiet confidence Centre, ” notes Russi Lala, director of the had no reservations at all. We were all of a poised, competent, insightful person, .i u.. o «« retaining her charm... No matter how dif­ ferent her views, she expressed those she had values and principles apart from a views with modesty, clarity and friendli ­ ness. ” Compliments Moddie, “If we are struggling towards an autonomous corpo- ratitMi in the public media today...it is —j------------------ r ------------- - - . _ nartlv because upright people like Mehra years when arthritis started crippling her. ism why should I want Zoroastnan rites.' * , * w 1 - ________ _ _____ — —.1.J ?xx kmrA TJtn/Il'l XAllcIltTl /’if* laid the groundwork. I----- -----, - . . , u Msisani's book. Broadcasting and the bore it all with patience and dignity, men- Chnstian ntes. That s where they are Peop/e, published by the National Book tion her colleagues. going wrong... ” Trust during the Emergency, makes a f' plea for an autonomous broadcasting Minoo, Keki and Pesi. setup and for freedom of information. Through the book she is said to have a tool for education, both general educa- It is towards building an institution in and was operated at the (B. D. Petit) citizenship, development and demo- Parsee General Hospital after mamage, cracy, run by the Leslie Sawhny Pro- but he held on to hiS resolution business, gramme, that Masani devoted herself in Tehemton ’s wife (noted surgeon Ik R.D.Tata and a champion of civil Mehta and Keki Khambatta, my wife ’s liberties, it speards the message of lib- cousin, all tried, but Golwalla responded eralism through camps and seminars, like this to everyone. Now it transpires Participants include tribals, students, pro- ’ ' *¦ ’ — ____ As director of . _ _ the Training Centre in Deolali “she in- gise arid bring everydimg to end,^they terji ’s reminiscences. ~ spired discipline, leadership and integ- Management consultant Aspi Moddie rity, ” notes a write-up in Pulse. “Her recalls his impressions of Masani: “She presence made all the difference to the that there is no such resolution! “Instead of being big enough to apolo- _ - are trying to cover up by a series of false- ‘Her hoods... Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, in a condolence very happy about the man — he ’s an ex­ letter. “One felt secure with her because cellent boy (from) an excellent family. “Roxan probably had a premonition of warm heart, ” he adds. death. A child of 25 does not speak of Remembered as being tall and elegant death, but she had mentioned once or with a mop of thick black hair, she report- twice that she ’d like to be interred in the edly maintained that poise until the last 10 dokhma. If she ’d given up Zoroastrian- Even then, she never complained, but I’d prefer to have Hindu or Muslim or Masani is survived by her brothers Written by Parinaz Gandhi Dastur Kotwal’s letter and an editorial on the subject will be published in the Sep­ tember 1990 issue o/Parsiana. I For Pure Diamonds JEWELLERS 324. GRANT ROAD. BOMBAY 400007. TELEPHONE; 371483 APPOINTED VALUERS BY THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA