Feb 1992

'.F 1 "’^^¦¦BH®! [ I 1^ r I S'i \^- lRUARY1d92 Rs12 -4W?." VMMMI r ;C A 1 ^.S!5 itf ij€?>i*i'5' ,) ««( <¦? "f h !l \ IFebruary 1992 Volume 14 Number 8 EDITOR Jehangir R. Patel MANAGING EDITOR Amavaz S. Mama EXECUTIVE EDITOR Parinaz M. Gandhi ASSISTANT EDITOR Roxana A. Mirza 3 Readers* Forum 10 Events and Personalities DESIGN Kranti Shilotri, Varghese Fernandez MARKETING DIRECTOR Veera Patel ADVERTISING MANAGER Zarin Mistry ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE Cheryl Sequeira CHIEF EXECUTIVE Rustom ThanavaJa FINANCE B. L. Arora EDP Rohinton E. Darcga CIRCULATION Behram Umrigar MANAGEMENT Minoo Patel, Jasmine Driver 14 Zoroastrians Abroad 18 Nagpur Youth Conference by Jehangir Bisney 22 SoonI Taraporevala’s scoring scripts by Gustasp|rani 26 “Things fail into place” by Arnavaz Mama 33 Faruk Irani: A lesson in leasing OFFICE Rajendra P. Nayak, Khurshid Panthaki, Patricia D’Silva, Bakhtavar Batliwalla, Nowzer Batliwala, Bindu Pillai, Sugatha S. Kurup 35 Books < 39 Milestones 43 In Memoriam Cover: Outside the Anjuman Atash Bahram Photograph by Sooni Taraporevala 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, S^ir Process. All rights reserved. Phone: 2048730 Fax: 2042922 For editorial enquiries; 2048183 Telex 11-85710 RABO IN Annual inland subscription Rs 100 for one year (12 issues); Rs 180 for two years (24 issues). Foreign subscription rates; Sea mail Rs 260/US $ 12AJK E 7 for one year, Rs 475/US $ 20/UK £ 12 for two years (please allow six months or more from the time of publication); Air mail Rs 550ZUS $ 24/UK £ 14 (for Pakistan, Indian Rs 290) for one year, Rs 1,050/US $ 45/UK £ 26 (for Pakistan, Indian Rs 560) for two years. For Indian upcountry cheques add Rs 5 for bank charges; for US cheques add $ 5; for UK cheques aii £ 3. 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 1. II READERS’ FORUM 111 11)11, . , I * * * * H » « > I ruM .»»»»«« t >•>>Ii ,grri 111 >* (u . « H « H j| •i I* ytHHt it bfttbti it fl (»1 IP*’ , " >’ A ** iWW&l s I*”* 'T, retired judge of the Bombay High Court, an opportunity for higher studies abroad, acclaimed for his integrity. Justice Lentin It was the first Tata benefaction by Jam- !»» will thus function as an honorary ombuds- setji. man mi matters relating to accommoda ­ tion allotment. Mr Justice Lentin has agreed to enter ­ tain the following types of complaints, if Tata Endowment, Bombay House, Bom- routed through the trustees: bay 400001. dinshah KMAmrAMVALA ° _____!_________...uu Director I* 'I *?' 1 »• If I M Hal. All J. N. Tata scholars are requested to send their present postal address at their early convenience to the Director, J. N. I i •Where an applicant is aggrieved with the decision of the trustees in not allotting him accommodation and his appeal for ParaSlK3 reconsideration is also decided against Such an application may be addressed ber a painting hanging on the wdl, left of to Mr Justice Bakhtawar Lentin (Retd), the first floor landing. The painting de- C/o Trustees of Parsi Punchayet Funds picted a Parsi couple. When I grew up, and Properties, 209, Dadabhai Naoroji reports came in about the dwindling Parsi Road, Fort, Bombay 400001. population, and the joke going around at •The trustees may refer any complaints the time was that very soon^the last Parsi regarding irregular/non-allotment of ac ­ commodation appearing in the Press, or otherwise brought to their notice, which see the Parasika exhibition. At the exhi- casts aspersions on the trustees. bition I searched in vain for that painting It is clarified that no complaint will be nor was it on the staircase landing of the directly entertained by Justice Lentin and Museum. I contacted Dr Joshi, the cura- only the parties concerned will be allowed tor, and after several visits managed to see the painting. It was in an excellent condition. It is an oil canvas painted by . Pestonji Bomanji, Bombay, December If a complaint is upheld by Mr Justice 1886. - _ ___ __ ____ _;;; __ ;______ "1 In the painting, the female, apparently measures he suggests. Where Justice sick, is lying on a big trunk (no G^cj Lentin differs from the trustees but the ' ’ '* ** latter have some additional information or other valid reason, the trustees may for- ward the relevant data for further consid- (matha banu), long sleey^ shut (baaian), eration of the matter. If, however, the complaint is found to As a child when I was taken to the Prince of Wales Museum by my school I remem- will be the one seen in the Museum. I visited the Museum after 40 years to to make any representation or appear be ­ fore him. This procedure shall be manda- Readers* views are welcome on any subject ol interest to the community and should be sent to the Editor, Readers’ Forum, tory^ Parsiana, G.P.O. Box 892, Bombay 400001. T" Letters are subject to editing for reasons of Lentin, the trustees will take the remedial space and clarity. Unsigned letters or those without an address will not be published. In the painting, the female, apparently storwels in those days) covered with a Persian carpet, and she is wearing the typical dress of the time. Sari, scarf BPP appoints ombudsman —...--------------------------------- - In iryinglo improve the method tor allot- eration of the matter. the head TOting on a pill™, its case ment of accommodation, the trustees of If, however, the complaint is found to down with laces (te). The mai, sitting the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) have be false, frivolous or vexatious, it shall be on a stool, tending the fire in the incense • • •• r - burner (afarganid), has a prayer book in the basis of which applicants are rated suggest to the trustees to set back the his lap and is hanging ^ds (tasbi) with . '¦ --------------. his right hand while Holding, in the left, a typical corrugated palm fan. He is wear ­ ing a black velvet cap with gold rimmed due in the normal course. ................................. oval spectacles (S la Cartier), well ironed Both parties will be bound by the ulti- pyjama (lengd) and leather sandals (ra ­ mate findings of Mr Justice Lentin. pat) which we hardly see nowadays. During childhood when one of the brood (yes a regular brood, not the lone child of today) used to fall sick, the grandmother would sit next to the sick adopted an elaborate merit-rating scheme within Mr Justice Lentin s discretion to on! ---------.-'-I-' ** " objectively by a retired senior official of complainant ’s application for accommo- the Bombay High Court. Those scoring dation for a period ranging from one to the highest points are investigated by the three years from the date it would become field staff and interviewed by all the this- **¦ ’ tees. The names of such shortlisted appli ­ cants are then put up on the BPP notice board and published in the Parsi Press in order to enable interested, knowledgeable persons to bring concealed evidence to light. Sometimes persons who have been Calling i ata scholars „ . excluded after such scrutiny may have In April 1992 the J. N. Tata Endowment child in the quiet of the evening, fortify some grievance in the matter. for the Higher Education of Indians com- herself with a pinch of snuff, make the Since the trustees do not consider pletes 100 years of service to the student child hold the edge of her long sudreh and themselves infallible and wish to ensure community in India. The Tata Endow- pray from the Avesta. Her sing-song, that no iniustice is done to anv aoolicant, ment was founded by Jamsetji Tata him- wobbly tone invariably drow^ the child into a deep sleep. She would put some alum in the incense burner and observe R. K. ANKLESARIA Chief Executive, BPP for the Higher Education of Indians com- _ ___ _____ ___________ -I 1-'- - - s community in India. The Tata Endow- that no injustice is done to any applicant, ment was founded by Jamsetji Tata him- they have now decided to refer such com- " ‘ plaints to Mr Justice Bakhtawar Lentin, a self in 1892 to “lift up the best and most gifted ” of Indian students by giving them 3 Parsiana February T992 IOUR WORLD OF VACATIONS - 1992 Lala tours announce the opening of bookings for summer 1992 package tours. * Shimla-Manali * Nainital-Mussourie < * Darjeeling-Sikkim * Mysore-Bangaiore-Ooty * Mysore-Bangaiore-Ooty & Kodaikanal * Goa * Singapore-Bangkok-Pattaya * Mauritius * Sri Lanka Lala tours » I Also tours to: * USA * Europe * Australia New Zealand * Japan * Hong Kong * Malaysia * Maldives * South America Note: Subject to GOI/RBI approval. FTS/NTS passengers only. For details contact us or your Travel Agents: H. K. LALA & CO Capitol Cinema Bldg, Murzban Road Bombay 400001 Tel: 2045094/5744/3006 Fax: 022-2046925 Telex: 11-83680 the way the alum would swell, predicting therefrom whether the sickness is ebbing or on the increase. Psychology or not, it had an effect: usually the temperature went down! The painting brought vivid memories of bygone days when religion formed a major part of our upbringing- and was a strong factor in keeping the community together. I hope someone would copy the painting and publish it so that every Parsi family can fr^e it and display it in their homes to remind themselves and the younger generation of their roots. A re ­ cording of Chopin, whilst observing the painting, will enhance the feeling of nos- talgia. I request Dr Joshi once again to put Bomanji ’s painting on display, z- m. zend Iran and Zoroastrians An article Speared in The Bombay Sama­ char of November 3,1991 titled “Where angels fear to tread ” with some translation from the Bulletin of the Islamic Parliament of Iran which has been quoted by Ervad Darius Sethna (“The purifying prescriptions, ” Readers ’ Forum, Par- sianoy January 1992). The Samachar re ­ port makes no reference to the'number, month or any citation of the Bulletin and thus no one can verify its authenticity. The article has attacked Dr Ali Jafarey, a scholar of high respect Since such an article always arouses undue emotions among Parsis and also the Zoroastrians of Northern America, I would like to quote some paras from a very recent book. The Zoroastrians of Iran — Conversion, Assimilation or Per­ sistence, 1990 AMS, New York by Janet Amighi: “When rioters attempted to destroy symbols of Pre-Islamic Iran, such as Persepolis and Pasargade, they were con ­ tained by Moslem" leaders. Ayatollah Mahallad and others (Beeman 1983). In 1979, Ayatollah Sadughi, speaking in Yazd (a stronghold of anti-^roastrian- ism) proclaimed: ‘The Zoroastrians are the roots of Iran, we Moslems are like the branches of a tree. If our roots are cut off, we shall shrivel up and die. ’ In the same year the nationalist leader, Bachtiar, held an anti-Khomeini meeting in Los Angeles on the day of the Zoroastrian fall festival, Mehergan, in tribute to true nationalism. Thus all major factions, though opposed to each other, either enthusiastically or re ­ luctantly accepted the Zoroastrians as a symbol of Persian nationalism and rejec ­ tion of their opponents ’ view (Kesten- DATTARAM-LT 1/92 < Parsiana February 1992washed; the dharamsala has been par ­ tially replastered, its roofing repaired pro- berg-Amighi 1980, pg 229).” In 1975, 40 Muslims in Abadan, pri ­ marily employees of the Iranian Oil Com- visionally and the toilet walls repaired, pany, declared their desire to convert to The complete dharamsala premises have Zoroastrianism and form their own been whitewashed, electric fittings anjuman. The Anjuman of Tehran sent changed in certain rooms and minor re- them literature about the religion but once pairs undertaken. again refused to sanction conversion. The Muslims applied for help and Mobed 23,743 which has been met with the Shahmardan, who had studied and lived above donations plus Anjuman funds, in India, came to perform the initiation But a lot more needs to be done and we rite for them. In order to assuage the fears request the readers to extend a helping of the Anjuman in Tehran, they called hand to the community of Jhansi so that themselves Mazdayasni (an ancient term for Zoroastrians, not well-known among Moslems). Ms Amighi says further, “I anjumans. had the opportunity to spet^ with one of the converts when he came to Tehran to acquire more literature for the group... one of his customers said ‘We are Irani- ComiTIOn NcW Year 1992 This has entailed an expense of Rs we can continue to thrive and not become defunct like some of our neighboring M. ANKLESARIA Secretary R. J. DICK President ans, not Arabs, why should we accept the The suggestion to have a common Parsi religion which was forced upon our New Year on the next Jamshedi Navroze ancestors...Our conversion cannot be for Shehenshahis, Kadmis and Faslis stopped, ’ he declared, ‘not by Moslem from March 21, 1992 (“Shall we unite in prejudice nor by Zoroastrian fear ’ (pg 230).” “Zoroastrians, like other Iranians, were again. Yet nothing has been done, no ac- affecied by the spirit of revival of religi ­ osity. Three thousand Zoroastrians at ­ tended the 1979 Jashne Meheregan fall on how to change over to the Fasli year. festival, a record number. Close to 200 students enrolled in Fravahar religious the Fasli year, I have made some inquiries classes.-In 1979...80 Zoroastrians under ­ went the sudreh-pushi initiation rites... These are all record numbers (pg 363).” “By 1984...the concept of Ttoroastrians undergo three nahns, one after the other, being 'najes' has been ignored and once over a period of a month. again Zoroastrians command respect (pg 366).” As can be seen from the few quota ­ tions I have given (there are many more) kadeh and offer some sandalwood and ask even the leading Ayatollas have spoken for forgiveness. favorably for the Iranian roots of Zoroas ­ trianism so the said article of The Bombay not be changed. “Why change? ” he says. Samachar telling us that “Zoroastrians... are being looked upon by Iranian Govern ­ ment as the political activist against the interest of the country and perhaps even trying to subvert it ” does not jive. 1992?” Readers ’ Forum, Parsiana, No ­ « * ,1”^ r» I 'I IJu- IlIlHlhiJ ¦ if vember, 1991) has come up again and .vj tion taken to educate the common man on its importance, or explain the procedure For those who want to change over to with learned scholars. I have been told by one learned person that to changeover from Shehenshahi to Fasli a person has to A dasturji informed me that there is no such requirement, only you should have faith in the new Fasli year, go to the atash Yet another dastur tells me that it can- “continue as you are practising now. We have no authority to change the calendar. ” So what does a layman do? Will some learned scholar, dastur, mobed, please guide and let us know PALLAN R. iCHAPORiA through your columns what is the actual Womelsdorf. Pa. USA proccdure or requirement for change over to the Fasli New Year? It seems to be the only correct one as it is in tune with the seasons. Besides we will be in agreement with Jhansi Anjuman’s response We the members of the Zoroastrian com ­ munity of Jhansi thank our well-wishers for their generous response to our request the Zoroasirians of Iran who follow the for aid for repairs to the dharamsala and Fasli year. asfandiar soiirab aramgah (Readers ’ Forum, Parsiana, Pune May 1991). Thanks to the aid we received, the “A miracle that he lives” boundary wall and old graves at the ar- Members of the Lioness Club of Byculla amgah have been repaired and white- wish to express their profound thanks to 5 Parsiana February 1992 iif iitiimyl s I J, haveri Bros., stands for the ever- popular classic collection of silver-plated ware since 1914. Visit us today for quality and dependable silver-plated ware like Diva-nu-glass,Khumchi,Sopara, Gulabdani,Phigani,Chipio,Chamcho, Afargal iu .teasets, trays, salvers, tumblers, bar accessories.cutlery etc. Also available is a wide range of sports cups, shields and medals. X JHAVERI BROS. 1914 •S,Metro House.Dhobitalao.Bombay 400 020. Tel : 29 14 23, 29 70 26. •345,Abdul Rehman Street,Bombay 400 003. Tel : 32 00 65,32 61 96/97. o 2 m m -t <0 CD f /i1 the Charity Commissioner, and we are glad to announce that the sacred fire has little Hormazd Nowrojee a new lease of already been installed in the nearby prem- life (“A miracle that he lives, ” Readers ’ Forum, Parsiana, October 1991). Hormazd and his mother Feroza Now ­ rojee proceeded for open heart surgery to of repair costs in the meantime, the trus- Miami Children ’s Hospital, Florida. It tees feel that more funds will be required was scheduled to be performed by emi ­ nent pediatric surgeon Dr S. Subrama- niam on December 12,1991. The Lioness Club of Byculla was suc ­ cessful in mobilizing the funds required cash or by cheque drawn in favor of the for the operation in just one and a half “Cawasjee Byramjee Atash Behram months ’time. Ms havovi gandhi “ ~ ' President philanthropists and well-wishers who so generously donated to the cause of giving ises and repairs to the main building have begun. However, due to the heavy escalation to complete the job. We, therefore, once again request you to contribute gener ­ ously. Contributions may please be made in Trusts Repair Fund. ” Since the Trust is nesweni Certified under section 80G of the In ­ come Tax Act, 1961 donors of amounts Conditions of entry over Rs 250 would be entitled to a 50 When our forefathers landed in Gujarat percent rebate of the donated amount as- many centuries ago, the Hindu ruler al ­ lowed them to settle there on the condi ­ tion that the new settlers refrain from con ­ verting the natives to Zoroastrianism. Am I right? This raises an interesting point: Surely quested to make generous use of the the Hindu ruler ’s “condition of entry ” ap- same. k. m. gherda plied only to Gujarat, and only to that part Chaiiman of Gujarat over which he had control; not , to the rest of India, and certainly not to A ZoFOastrian in Japan Iran, Pakistan, the USA, the UK, Can- The late Mr Rustom Pirojshaw was a ada... This ruler has had an incredible in- product of the New High School, Bom- fluence over us! JEIIANGIR RANDERIA bay. After passing the matriculation ex­ amination he had joined the old and re ­ nowned firm of Messrs J. E. F. Kavarana and Company, Bombay, which was trad- suming it is within 10 percent of the do ­ nor ’s gross total income. A donation box for the purpose has also been installed on the premises of the Banaji Atash Behram and donors are re- same. JEIIANGIR RANDERIA London, UK (No such condition was made. The Kis- seh-e-Sanjan states five conditions. The ing with China and Japan. Soon he be- king demanded; an explanation of the came the active partner of the said firm. Zoroastrian religious beliefs and customs, the renunciation of Persian and the accep- age, and after having stayed for a short tance of the local language; the accep- time in Hong Kong, he went to Kobe tance of the local dress by the women; a (Japan) where, with his brother Fram- renunciation of the use of arms; and the roze, he established the firm of Vasunia holding of marriage ceremonies in the and Company which carried on very lu- evening only. None of them pertain to crative business with China, Japan and conversion. — Editor) India. Mr Rustom Vasunia had lived in Ja- Repair at Banaji’s pan for nearly 20 years, becoming thor- The Framjee Cawasjee Byramji (Banaji) oughly conversant with Japanese. Atash Behram was founded nearly 147 years ago, in 1845, to serve the needs of well-known merchant of China and was the Parsi community. Sometime back its living in Shameen, a British colony near trustees had appeal^ to the Parsi Zoroas- Canton, for many years. His daughter, trians for contribution towards its repair. Ms Daulat H. Doongaji, is the propri- In response, the trustees had collected Rs etress of the New Activity High School in 6,33,373 from the community within a Bombay. i m. bilimoria short period of time. However, before the work of repairs could be taken in hand, Mcniordblc tCdChCF attempts were made by some persons to After 80 hard and strenuous years Mr prevent the trustees from moving the Framroz N. Dandiwalla died on July 26, sacred fire to the adjoining premises by 1991, unknown, unsung. For 28 years he approaching the Charity Commissioner. had served the Grant Road Education So- Their application has been rejected by ciety whence he retired as vice-principal He sailed for China at a very young Rustom *s father, Pirojshaw was also a 7 Parsiana February 1992 With best wishes from Farah & Tanya <( ( 'I Ir » education at all and women were confined driven by society to a life of loneliness to their homes. The Parsi samaj accepted and misery. They have none to turn to. and continued with the system over the Leprosy is completely curable today with years and the Parsi trust funds kept on accumulating over the years. The apex body and its electoral sys ­ tems have all by now become outdated. _________ Adult franchise is now the law of the ^ereiter he fell land. Why then cannot the highly liter ­ ate Parsi community exercise one person one vote and elect their own leaders to it 1 s. in 1986 after the government had given him an extension of five years. Mathematics was his forte and he helped poor or middle-class children without any discrimination of caste or creed for over 40 years in his home. Poor Parsi children received free tui ­ tion in mathematics till the SSC level until August 1988. '------------- -- -- prey to a long illness until his death. Bom in Billimora, Gujarat, Mr Dand- iwalla was educated in the Tata School the Parsi Punchayet? there and went to M.T.B. College in E.— -— -------------- Surat and took a teaching degree (BT) ticipate in this process from Broach. His memory may - - hundreds of h^ students. His high ideals sions regarding the and religious outlook may enlighten many a budding heart Writing on the wall of the time and cannot read the writing on The history of the Parsi Punchayet (BPP) the wall, time pushes them into oblivion, reveals that this apex body was founded phirozea.bana and established by some wise and learned ____ men of our community way back in the Help leprOSy patientS 17th century when there was hardly any “T ?' their homes. The Parsi samaj acc&pted and misery. They have nmie modem drugs and that too within six months to two years ’ treatment. We must shed social stigma as leprosy is like any other disease, capable of complete cure. A pale patch or patches on the skin with loss of sensation can be leprosy and there is no need to panic. Consult a doc ­ tor. Treatment for leprosy in govern ­ ment and voluntary agencies is com ­ pletely free. About 80 percent of pa- Even the commonest Parsi could par- pletely free. About 80 percent oi pa- of election based tients are non-infectious and do not pose The word must spread in the public inter ­ est Help a worthy humanitarian cause by 111 UllO w* v-wfw.. ------ -- . , , , —11 U person one vote, and could have a threat to public health. TeU^ others. on one v ___ be cherished by hissayinthepolicyformationsanddeci- There shalfbe currents and cross-cur- rents and also orthodox resistances, but donating your mite byno 7477, 11 Hardevi Society, Bombay 400060. Donations are eligible for tax exemption under section 80G. Prof A. R.K. PILLAI Prendent, Indian Leproay Foundation Edited by Amavaz S. Mama Ms SCXJNOO J. VESUNA when people become blind to the realities to the Indian Leprosy Foundation, P.B. About three million leprosy patients are s I I MATCH YOUR AMBITION TO A CAREER To do so we offer you: 8 Diploma Course in Business Management (Postal) (IMC) # Banking CAIIB Course (Postal) # Executive Secretarial Course ? Private Secretarial Course # Personal Assistant’s Programme (Working Stenographers) ? Shorthand & Typewriting (English/Hindi/Marathi) ? Telephone Operating & Receptionist Techniques sjc Electronic Telex Operating Electronic Typewriting & Word Processing »!< English Conversation & Writing Skills LATEST ADDITION: COMPUTERS I Enquire at: Sir J. J. College of Commerce 5 I ,A. 14, Nanabhoy Lane, Hutatma Chowk Bombay 400001 Tel: 2871185 I i 8 Parsiana February 1992Events and Personalities I shared by the philanthropist and the Pe- > S! « 5 “ ’'i I Founding the Joklu wing the critCTia as defined by president Homa was then the Hospital^ s jncsident, as . "‘May his (Shapurji's) soul rejoice that his dream and ours is being translated into reality, ” Petit was particularly pleased to have well-wishers attending at the same time. The managing committee had taken the I WT i^S&‘ *** w I "i 10 Parsiana February 1992 I It was a proi»r Ne^ Year ’s Day. It met all tits, notably ^thej^ « I Petit of* the B. D. Petit Parsee General noted his son Homa who has yow suc- ¦ Hosfntal: a day fw remembaring, for ceeded him to the chair. I passing resolutions, making commit- «••««<’<* th I ments, celebrating... - I The morning of January 1, 1992 saw added Homa Petit fervently. I the Hospital grounds ^laze with color- Petit was particularly pleased to have I fully attired ladies and gents from Hong so many of the Hospital s donas and I Kong, Bombay, California and else- well-wishers attending at the same time. I where. The object of their presence: to The managing committee had taken the ¦ witness the laying of the foundation trouble to keep tabs on their presence in I stone of the Hospital ’s Mani and Shapoor the city. “We have received the bounties ¦ Jokhi Wing and the official inauguration of your gener^ donations (but) never J, of the computer facility jointly donated to met you all together, ” said Petit ac- » the institution by Jal Shroff, Ms Tehmi knowledging their presence with mdivi- 2 Master, the Zoroastrian Charity Funds of dual garlands and bouquets presented by Hl Hong Kong, Canton and Macao and the vice president Ms Aban Petit and others H Mani and Nariman Sahukar Trust. on behalf of the managing committee H The Hospital ’s managing committee which includes joint honorary secretaries I took advantage of a large section of the Phiroze Jhabvala and Hector Mehta, I Hong Kong based community being treasurer Adi Vazifdar and other mem- ¦ present in Bombay for such events as a bers. Petit pledged “to continue to strive B wedding, childbirth, etc to schedule the to wak the institution for the (benefit of) B function when 1992 was barely 10 hours the poa and needy ” and gently urged the H assembled gathoing to continue then B As a preamble to the simple ceremo- good wak by relating a conversation nies, the guests assembled in the foyer of about life and death between friends. A B the building housing the doctors ’ quar- good deed on the day before you die en- ters and the chronic ward. The commit- ables all else to be foigiven. ”But how do tee (able draped and decked with flowers you know which jlay you ’re going to and goodies, and the chalk and garland die? ’ ‘You don ’t! ’* on the door, transformed its normally The new building, desired by archi- austere ambience into one of bonhomie tect Hafeez Contractor, is to be (»n- and good cheer. structed on the area behind the small lift The late Joldii ’s promise of Rs 1.5 at the apex of tlto present L-shaped build ­ crore towards the cost of a new wing ing (see Intensive care at 75? ParsioM, that would house all the main services — November 1987). After the foun^on the operation theaters, the intensive stone on the spot had been laid by cardiac care unit (ICCU). the X-ray and Shapurji ’s br^a J^eki J^i, th^gaAa- 1 physiothos^y, etc —had sparked a dream The foundation stone site being readied by area flwldng the haU on Ae side h^ the Hospital stc^ while (center) donors (from left) Rosy and Purviz Shroff, Javer and Keki Jokhi watch with interest. Bottom: Patel inaugurating the computer room ing (see “Intensive care at 75?” Parsiana, the operation theaters, the intensive stone on the spot had been laid by cardiac care unit (ICCU), the X-ray and Shapurji ’s brother Keki Jokhi, the gather ­ pathology departments, blood bank, ing proceeded to the Hospital ’s main of- nhvsinthp.ranv etc —had snarked a dream fice on the first floor, in the ballroom of the original Cumballa Hotel. There, an - ... « .« been insulated and airconditioned to house the Tata Unisys computer that has been gifted by the Sahukar Trust and the Zoroastrians of Hong Kong, jointly and severally (see “A question of survival, ”p 1 “Despite the fact that the Parsis are a minuscule community in this southern cut by Minoo Patel, trustee of the ber 14 last year when a new team of office outpost of the country and reside at con- Sahukar Trust. bearers was elected, reports Mulla. siderable distances from each other, the It was an auspicious day in other ways Events and Personalities, Parsiana, No- both, the MPZA and The Madras Parsi vember 1991). The ceremonial ribbon Association, were convened on Septem- was ( bearers was elected, reports Mulla. Nariman F. Moghrelia took over as monthly get-togethers are well-attended, too, with two of the donors celebrating president of the Anjuman from Minoo The atmosphere is one of camaraderie and their birthdays that day and being invited Belgamvala who was at the helm for congenial well-being... ” further adds to cut the cakes with the gathering join- nearly 24 years. Working with him will Mulla. ing in with a chorus of greetings. Some be Minoo Siganporia, vice president; Per- . of the appetising snacks, notably the sev ... (vermicelli) and sandwiches, had been Shahuna, honorary treasurer; and Russie Justice Sam Piroj Bharucha ’s appoint- made up in the Hospital kitchen at short P. Ginwala and Jimmy Patel, co-opted ment as chief justice of the Karnataka notice, informed Ms Petit. members. High Court in November last makes him The Association ’s all-womra commit- the youngest incumbent at 54 years of age Change of hands in Madras tee will be headed by Ms Zavera K. to hold this post, notes the Jtm-e- “Elections have become synonymous Shahuna, president; assisted by Ms Perviz Jamshed of November 3, 1992. Priw to with rising temi^rs and perfection of out- D. Bhote, honwary secretary; Ms Jer- assuming this charge, Bharucha had witting techniques, but the Madras Parsis sheen G. Madan, honorary treasurer; and served as judge of the Bombay High conducted themselves with restraint and Ms Persis F. Dadabhoy, Ms Dhun D. Court for several years. _ _ dignity and jffoduced two committees of Dalal and Ms Fr^y B. Byramshaw, co- office bearos unanimously, ” writes Per- opted members. To maintain liaison be- vez S. Mulla, honorary secretary I I I i s I Fraternization and motivation were the dual objectives promoted at the Fifth All India Zoroastrian Youth Conference in Nagpur prayer by the Nagpur head priest, Ervad the words of wisdom of a young but bril- * • Following the liant man. Dr Shrikant Jichkar, whose ¦ • - IAS, IPS, PhD, gucsi is.ussy rwua..jMi, Rukshad MBBS, LLB,’MA in six subjects, etc — Bhagwagar, chief co-ordinator of the enabled him to find a place in the Guin- ¦ ¦ * > ness Book of World Records. Speaking on the topic “Excellence in academics and politics, ” 36-year-old Jichkar, the youngest member in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, said, “Though I stodied for so many degrees to gain the essence of various fields, it ^s not make me an authwity on the subject in which I have achieved the degree... Age is no bar for achieving excellence, ” emphasized Jichkar. Differentiating th^ two ways in which knowledge could be’ • sought, he advised the youth to p^ questions in the form of jigyansa which would enable them to enhance their learning as against questions in the form of pariksha, trying to test the other per ­ son ’s intelligence. If Jichkar was all brain, the next speaker Pervez Mistry, the karate expert, speaking on “Excellence in sports and adventure, ” was all power, stamina and concentration. Recalling the histtny of ____ _____ ______________ martial arts, he said that Kerala was the many youdi and this gives me confidence cradle of this art. Added Mistry, “Karate in the youth, ” said Karanjia. The := nf Zoroastrians felt like orphans once the mind, as a sport or a way of life.^ Excellence is Gcxl and the spirit of excel- . . lence is to rediscover the lost God within Bamanshaw Sanjana. _ . ¦ j oneself, impressed Russy Karanjia. editor lighting of the inaugural lamp by chief academic ^g^s — of Blitz, in his inaugural address. Excel- guest Russy Karanjia. p-’--*—xmn lence is going from a lower level to a F" „ _ higher level, from concrete to abstract and Conference, mentioned that he had two from practical to philosophical, opined Dr objectives in mind — to make the dele- Shrikant Jichkar whose string of educa ­ tional qualifications earned him a mention in the Guinness Book of World Records. “Excellence is the spirit of wanting to do what you want with sacrifice, ” com ­ mented karate expert Pervez Mistry. “Ex­ cellence is a preeminence which makes life and living life better, ” remarked tax consultant Soli Dastur. “The Spirit of Excellence ” was the theme of the Fifth All India Zoroastrian Youth Conference organized by the Fo ­ rum of Young Zoroastrians (FOYZ), Nagpur. Nearly 240 delegates from 26 towns and cities had converged in Nagpur, the city of oranges in the heart ­ land of India, from November 4 to 6, 1991 to rekindle the flame of excellence in all walks of life. A major development at this Confer ­ ence was I _ * * “ of Zoroastrian Youth Associations (FOZYA) with its present registered of ­ fice at Secunderabad. Membership is open to youth wings of anjumans and youth associations of Zoroastrians duly British left India, recalled Karanjia, a and properly formed. r . ............................. Under the leadership of a no-nonsense get back the zeal and pioneenng spirit, president Ms Khurshid Dalal, counsel he added. He then released the Confer- THE SPIRIT OF EXCELLENCE !ALL INDIA ZOROASTRIAN , YOUTH CONFERENCE co ___ ___________ gates more determined and motivated, the launching of the Federation and creating friendship and fellowship. •- *----- —- “I am pleasantly surprised to see so I £ ! The is for health and hairiness, peace of Mis ­ try ’s short talk was followed by his video ----- 1-------------------------------_;„i “Js jfue that sportsmen are bom and not made? ” enquired Homi Gandhi of Delhi. In mar ­ tial arts which required a lot of training, this does not hold true, replied Mistry. The morning of November 5 began _ ______ ____ Dastur, an eminent tax consult- haraSura ” chief minister ’s message, the ant and senior advocate of the High Court and Supreme Court, speaking on “Law as and a load of advertisements. He categorized law into four divisions: as The audience was then entertained by a career; as a teacher; as a motivator for presentation on martial arts. 1 enquired Homi Gandhi of Delhi. In mar- member of the Rajya Sabha. “We must get back the zeal and pioneering spirit, ” Shiraz Gimi, an organizing committee ence souvenir. With its jet black cover consisting of Ms Taubenda Bhagwagar, designed by Sohrab Kanga of FOYZ, Rukshad Bhagwagar, Sohrab Kanga, Nagpur and edited by Ms Diana Hor- Cyrus Watchmaker and their band of en- musjee, the souvenir contained the Nfe- thusiastic volunteers, the Conference of- I-------------------- - - fered varied fare: speeches by eminent FOYZ president ’s message to the dele- . . speakers, workshops, an open session at gates, a handful of articles, a list of donors an instrument for achieyng exceUence. the end, and a lot of entertainment. '''' He cateconzed law intofour divisions, a The Conference commenced with a 18 Parsiana February 1992trepreneur for tomorrow — beyond medi ­ ocrity. ” Chairman and managing director citing horizons for Parsi entrepreneurs. ” Though not an entrepreneur himself. Shroff considered himself a catalyser of of Real Value Appliances Pvt Ltd, manu- entrepreneurs. “I am a great believer in change; and in its abstract form. “Law exposes you to life, ” he in ­ formed and added, “A lawyer has to be a psychologist. ” Dastur mentioned that a lawyer has to solve his clients ’ problems the counuy ’s destiny, ” said a confident which may be legal, self-created or per ­ sonal. “No experience in life will not be was exciting. Suggesting landscaping, essarily an invention, it requires being en- useful to a lawyer, ” emphasized Dastur. agriculture, poultry farming, broiler and trepreneurial in everyday life, he be- Great academic brilliance is not required egg business as the potential business ar- to be a lawyer; what is required is a reso- eas. Shroff warned that the first three to lution to succeed. But “law is a jealous four years of any new business would be a mistress, ” said Dastur, as its pursuit slog. He said, “There are no shortcuts in meant late evenings, no weekends and business and one must not compromise on various other compromises. “Law is the comer stone of everything to him. Shroff said that since independ- facturers of Ceasefire, Engineer said that the man in demand is the one who gets Shroff. Shroff predicted that the future things done. Entrepreneurship is not nec- was exciting. lieved. According to him, “Only a dream or idea does not take you anywhere. Con ­ version of the idea into acceptance is im­ portant. The ability to constantly inno ­ vate and look for human dissatisfaction is quality. ” In response to a question posed the essence of entrepreneurship. ” Engineer, an optimist, defined luck as we do. Law requires integrity and the ence the other communities in India had that moment in time when opportunities courage to stand u^,” he stressed. In favor moved forward faster than the Parsis and meet {H'eparedness. Environment and of a uniform civil personal law in India, we were unable to keep pace with them. experience molds a person; education and Dastur argued, “If persons who go abroad accept the law of that country, then why not in India? ” Lamenting that in In ­ dia there are laws but no en ­ forcement, Dastur said, “We are not law abiding because our legislators have no respect for the law. ” The brainchild behind the success story of the Diner ’s Club credit card, Ms Perveez Aggarwal addressed the dele ­ gates on the tr^ic “What arc entrepreneurs made of? ” Pres ­ ently the managing director of DBS Corporate Services Lim­ ited, Aggarwal advised, “An entrepreneur has to enter the business at the right time and leave at the right time. ” An en ­ trepreneur starts a business where there was no one before. Entrepreneurs arc mercurial characters. Said Aggarwal, “Success breeds more suc ­ cess. ” Describing her business success as “luck and pluck, ” she felt disappointed that Parsis had lost their self-confidence to succeed. In the short question-answer session that followed, Cyrus Aibara from Nagpur a^ed, “You had the initial capital to start your business. But what about those who do not have the money? ” Aggarwal replied that it wasn ’t necessary to have one ’s own money as it could be arranged Top: Invitees to the youth meet (from left) from banks or financial institutions. Shroff, Kanga, Soli and Armaity Dastur It was now the turn of Minoo Shroff, Below: Enjoying the final dance financial consultant to the J. K. Group of Industries and trustee of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) to speak on “Ex- we were unable to keep pace with them. 19 Parsiana February 1992 The last morning saw 33-year-old Phi- roze Engineer articulate on “The Parsi en- knowledge are also important. “Learn to share money, power and ego satisfaction, ” advised Engineer. On behalf of his ctxnpany. Real Value, he then offered to help prospective Parsi entrepreneurs by funding one venture every two years with a condition that the funded jirenture, if successful, would similarly fund another venture once every two years. Just like the previous youth conferences, the afternoon ses ­ sions attracted a small audi ­ ence. Jamsheed Kanga, IAS who is trustee of the BPP and a father figure for FOYZ, Nagpur in the organization of this Conference, led the discus- sion on “What are the rights of Parsi women marrying outside the community? ” Giving a brief on the history of conver- sion, Kanga mentioned that there were two opinions - firstly, that conversion did take place and a ^ond opinion that Mazdayasnis became Zoroas- trians and thus the Mazdayasni Zoroastrians could not be re- garded as converts. Citing the legal case of Petit v/s Jejeebhoy, Kanga went on to ^^B state the religious view on this ^^B subject. He quoted passage ^Bpi 64(18) of the Vendidad which the religious scholars inter ­ preted as the mixing of the seeds of the clean and the unclean, which displeases Ahura Mazda. To deliberate on this subject further, four workshops of about 25 delegates each were organized. Each group leader was to mention the final outcome. Sur-F imy w^saivii. Chairman Jehangfr Bisuey the delegates to launch a meinbership from Secunderabad, who had attended all drive for Parsiana in their locations and _________ - Porus Karanjawalla from Ahmedabad felt HJidu wife'^ of Rukshad that since the majority of the Parsis in his __________ ____ - ¦ city had orthodox views, they would not by mOTrioning*that ’she h^ no prob- agree to the Uberal views of Parsiana. 113 uiv»u».e "«• __--—--y Before the delegates parted company. Ms Taubenda Bhagwagar, a formw asked Bisney, “At Ae conference have tory session. the four previous youth conferences, was get advertisements for them. However, «• . ••_____ •___ *nA^A.re.A. AtiffnA/labsi/l fA.lt I I * 4 1 prisingly, unlike the majority opinion in the previous two conferences, most of the delegates in Nagpur felt that it was - . - . unfair to be prejudiced against the Parsi in charge of channelizing rUs^ssions. lady and her children in the event of a mixed marriage. They were of the opin ­ ion that the children of a mixed marriage where either of the parents is a Zoroas ­ trian, should be brought up as Zoroastri ­ ans if the parents so wished. Another debatable topic “Should Par- . sis get special rights and privileges? ” glamorous j^ and the city of Bomtoy to was scheduled for the second afternoon. ««» «¦ „« n Gev Avari, MLA and ex-MP, speaking on the subject, mentioned that there were two schools of thought One, we have been surviving for all these years, then why should we ask for special rights? Two, if the government is willing to help the minorities, we should accept it Av- mtuTta^services and their impressions of the Fifth MMndia backseat dtitingthediscussiraa St,:; He'^nentioned dm, a disdne- 2i,r<«s,^ Yotdh Tjej- tion should be made between reservation, and minority status where a special con ­ sideration is shown to a minority com ­ munity which is small in number. Kanga One cwnot say opined that at least one seat should be re- j served in the Rajya Sabha for a Parsi. V-------- „ Later the delegates, numbering about days in the first week of November can 50 were divided into two groups to de- justifiably be termed as a ‘conference liberate on this topic. The final outcome because ‘conference ’ raises in mind a pic- .. . showed that about half the number of ture of a serious, gloomy, monotonous erated along the discussions. delegates were in favor of a special right gathering of people having officious dis- sharing should have been ernphas^jJ _ ______ ____ ________ have be«i preferable to allow partici- Entrepreneurship se^ed to be the pre- pants to speak on any relevant subject in ­ dominant theme in the conference and the stead of directing the flow. factor of hard work was succinctly con- Mhow’s Ms Arnos Bhote writes: veyed by Phiroze Engineer in an ajrt state- The wokshops were conducted on topics Monica, the -------- Rhag wagar of Nagpur thrilled the audi ­ ence L, ..... - lems bletKling with her husband ’s family. airhMte^^tii Air India7spol» on her we really int^ted? ” Youth Conferences _ • • -------- ------------------- 3 — inter ­ action and imparting knowledge, he ex- _ plained. Further, delegates who attend Commenting on the importance of these conferences, widen their men^ media. Bisney informed the audience that horizon, make new friends and make experience of leaving a lucrative and are mainly held for two reasons settle down in Nagpur with her husbmid. Commenting on the importance C. Parsiana must be protected and requested themselves better persons. Youth perceptions Sane other youths have also submitted and othw intangibles thanlduUy took a cerots that we are carrying reflect their shops. The workshops were held simulta- sentiments. Bhopal's MehernoshDhunjibhoy writes: Zfttv _ --- - Katherine and interaction which took votes after group discussions. Itwasun- give statistical date (how many in favor and how many not, etc) rather than going into reasons their groups might have gen- neously with the discussions which I • found more stimulating to attend. One whether the collective problem however was cojmting of pla ce amongst the young Parsis for three fortunate that die group leaders chose to justifiably be termed as a ‘conference ’ } I E in education and jobs, and the other half cussions in a dry manner. The activiues were against However, most of them atNa^jverejnythm^butteat. felt that a representation in Parliament u.., was necessary. On the subject of education, a work- shoD on “Opportunities for studies ab- ,vjv»* «zj * —e------ -------------------- -— — j . . . „ road" was W by Dr (Ms) Dina Dalal, ment ihai “24 l^ ot expenence can Ute care ers “¦ c"?. counsellor, foreign education counselling never be gained m 23. service. A break from the scheduled talks and discussions came in the form of an excel- --------------- - . .. , lent slide show and commentary on the charged with strong^ einottons andjugn “African Odyssey ” by Ms Meher Heroyce s'' different programs, r/wse were rhe dto ’s. honest and refreshingly mtrwpecuve doing extraordinary Ihmgs. a beautiful presentation by the Nagpur ideas. Also, it may not be out of context tka »rr«na«menL« mr Parsi Gymkhana and the FOYZ had the here to state that the real benefit of re- delegates watching in rapt attention the days of the daglis, ijars, gaias, old cricket- Ay^’SbkXdCTSOT^eo^tekhteof aify'^intcgraLing them into our daily life yarthi Gril^ '^e rv uip iw ___ thft ffwt delicious and the hosts Nagpur for a vanety entertainment by and behavior. delegates from different cities, firework Jamshedpur ’s Mediomah Patel writes: display campfire and dinner was another This was my first youth conference. favorite besides the customary d^r and i™P«^Jy_il. The topes of dance held at the Billimoria Brothers Dharamshala Hall on the last night. An eye-opener for many youths was the open session, following the valedic- services, opportunities for studies abroad, To the pleasant surprise of everyone, etc. These closed sessions were really including the participants themselves, the vCTy interesting all of us had a chance discussions were, to put it mildly, not just to put forth our views. Ciimsvu «.u. -- -lo-i 1110 theme around which the confer- ciicr nwuyvv Spirits (no, not of the inebriating land), ence revolved was “The Spirit of Excel- enlivened by but had strong undercurrents of logical, lence ” --^e^bited 2>y ordinary people The arrangements made to make .1V.V «/ ______ _____________ our stay comfortable were voy gooc frShing ideas teid opinions of this kind (all the delegates were housed at the can be derived not by confining them to MLA Hostel, a five-minute waUc^^ the mere discussions and debates but by actu- C------------- etc. Conference venue — the Jawahar Vid perb, the food delicious and the hosts hard work has definitely paid dividends Far h and every one of us has returnet discussions were pertinent and there was healthy participation. There was no “ho ­ lier than thou ” attitude. Moral, fanatical as they did... in the hope that in future we too will b able to host a youth festival as efficientl 20 Parsiana February 1992 i ¦»J ! CINEMA COVER STORY I I * I I 3 W TARAP0REVALA5 scoring scripts Winner of the best scriptwriter award at the Venice Film Festival 1991, Sooni Taraporevala ’s present preoccupation is with an internationally funded epic on Gautam Buddha Gustasp Irani ,5 I 8. ?¦ I I »n Films are often seen as a medium for actors and directors. What ’s nice about the award is that it makes people realize that films are written by people. ” Emerg ­ ing from the wings is Ms Sooni Tarapore ­ vala, winner of the best scriptwriter award at the Venice Film Festival 1991 for her text for Mississippi Masala. “An award is always nice to receive, ” laughs Tarapore ­ vala, and especially this one since it came as a surprise. “At Venice they had Golden Bells and Silver Bells and weird kinds of awards. But I did not know that they had something for ‘best scriptwriter, ’” she says, that is till one of the bells started ringing for her. Freckle faced and bright eyed, Tar ­ aporevala, like her scripts, can be light ­ hearted and serious at the same time. “No, ” she protests, “I don ’t think my scripts are autobiographical in a very di ­ rect way.” Though her writing may not be a reflection of her life, the underlying philosophy is similar — serious moments dealt with humor and objectivity. “People read things into my writing: I’ve seen it happen at discussions on Missis ­ sippi Masala. I believe that the text, the final product, stands by itself and is open to interpretation, ” adds Taraporevala. The above, she believes, is also true of the film Salaam Bombay — her first effort at scriptwriting, which propelled the Mira Nair-Taraporevala, director ­ scriptwriter team to international fame when it won an award at the Cannes Film Festival of 1988 for being the best first feature film by a young director. “I knew Salaam Borr^ay would be good. But then, it took off beyond our wildest expecta ­ tions. It has b^ome part of cult cinema. It has taken on a life of its own that goes beyond you, ” she says. The paradox of creator and creation aside, the movie tele ­ scoped Taraporevala into the big league itself — Hollywood. She has done the script for Johnny Be Good, a film on a black homeless kid in Hollywood, and for A Brothel in Nevada for actress Demi More of Ghost fame. In addition she has scripted a 30-minute film on the fall of Vietnam, presenting the Vietnamese point of view. She is reportedly working on an internationally funded epic on Gautam Buddha for Italian director Bernardo Ber ­ tolucci of Last Tango in Paris and Last Emperor fame. A script, according to Taraporevala, is the starting point of any movie. “It is a movie on paper before it is shot. It ’s like a play, ” she observes. There is a distinc ­ tion between the two forms though. “In a play the written words are holy and you can ’t fool around with them. In script ­ writing you can forget about your words being holy, ” she laughs. Often during rehearsals, actors complain: T just can[" say those lines. ’ “I don ’t see why the', can ’t, ” Taraporevala protests and then rewrites those “damned ” lines anyway. But she is open to suggestions. She refers to her interaction over the script with Denzil Washington who played the lead role in Mississippi Masala. “I have great respect for him as a person and ac ­ tor and most of his suggestions were most helpful. He was a thorough profes ­ sional in his work. ” Yet she did not incor ­ porate all he had.to say; in particular there was a scene towards the end of the film where Washington felt that his role was too weak. “I had to fight him on that be ­ cause I thought that scene belonged to Sunita (the girl who plays Washington ’s lover in the movie). ” It is all part of scriptwriting, says Tar ­ aporevala, incorporating, without com ­ promising oneself, the views of the direc ­ tor, the producer, the actors and others involved in making the film. It is for this reason that most Hollywood script con ­ tracts require that three drafts be submit ­ ted. “You ’ve got to realize that the filmmaking process is a collaboration. It ’s like getting together an army. You ’ve got to raise the finances, get together the r * 22 Parsiana February T992part of the revenge? Taraporevala laughs. “For Mira, none. We have beat good friends for 15 years. ” They first met at Harvard University where they were studying on scholarships. For years they had tossed around the idea of doing a film together including one on Nair ’s child ­ hood in Orissa. It was during a meeting at Hyderabad while attending a film festival actors, the crew... Mira is very good at it, ” and Taraporevala leaves her and her other directors to their own devices once her script is done. “I disappear once the re ­ hearsals (are under way) and the final script is submitted, ” she states, though with Salaam Bombay, her first child, she stayed with the unit right through. Unlike India ’s Bollywood where one mjinri sees the names of different people on the UCIliy 11VII y that they decided to do a film on the kids posters taking credit for story, dialogue, living on the streets of Bombay. It was a script, etc, in the West the scriptwriter bum. My schedules are different from the street that would lead to fame and ac- must do the entire job. The starting point rest of the world ’s,” says Taraporevala. claim. of any undertaking is research which for Like most forms of writing, script- Taraporevala, by her own admission, Salaam Bombay and Mississippi Masala writing too is a lonely process. The main did not study scriptwriting in any formal took about two months, examining the difference is that there are expectant and way. Her BA in liberal arts from Harvard lives and environment of the people the anxious filmmakers in the wings waiting in 1980, MA from the New York Univer ­ movie was to be eventually structured for those words which they could trans- sity Film School in 1982 and her stint as a around. The next stage is writing the first late into visuals on celluloid. “In a script still photographer on her return to Bom- draft which took Taraporevala six weeks it is easy to write ‘rain ’ or ‘storm ’ or put bay all seemed to gel together for script- of continuous writing, in both cases. She in an extra character or two which you writing. “And luck, ” she adds. “I know ¦¦ ” • as a photographer that you have to be in aporevala, adding, “But it ’s a different the right place at the right time and at the story when that one word costs the pro- ! , In scriptwriting you can forget about your words being holy” cc must do the entire job. The starting point rest of the world ’s,” says Taraporevala. ¦ .................• Like most forms of writing, script- Salaam Bombay and Mississippi Masala writing too is a lonely process. The main lives and environment of the people the anxious filmmakers in the wings waiting in 1980, MA from the New York Univer ­ movie was to be eventually structured for those words which they could trans- ! , _ does most of her writing late at night, probably can ’t do in novel, ” says Tar- “That ’s probably because I grew up in ~ _ _ Bombay and that is the only time when it story when that one word costs the pro- same time you ’ve got to be prepared to is quiet. People call up at 11.30 a.m. when ducer an X number of dollars. That ’s the take that photograph. ” Tartqjorevala ’s ca- I am still sleeping and think I am a lazy scriptwriter ’s revenge. ” reer in photography (she did extensive In Mississippi Masala there arc 79 work on the Parsis) did riot focus but her speaking parts which means a minimum 79 characters. How many of them arc Taraporevala captures the Parsi ambience in this photogrc^h attempt at scriptwriting clicked. On her return from the USA she de- ¦ 23 Parsiana February 1992 -k V-,voted her time to capturing the nuances of the community on film. National Geo­ graphic, she informs us, gave her a whole lot of film to do a feature on the Parsis but nothing ever came of the venture. (The shot outside Bombay ’s Anjuman Atash Bahram on the front cover of this issue is from Taraporevala's collection of photos on the community.) “I am bad at doing photo stories. My photographs are single lem... What we are really saying is: ‘Keep English teacher at Queeif Mary ’s School, image shots. My collection is quite per- i ' “ sonal and full of idiosyncracies, ” Tar- vala, noting: “I might add that they (the write no matter how “weird the topic... I aporevala admits. Can we expect a film characters) could well have been Parsis. I think parents and teachers are very impor- on the Parsis soon? “No, ” states Tar- don ’t think Parsis know what racism tant when you are growing up. 1 have par- aporevala who is too close to the commu- means. They see it vep^ much as part of ents (Freny and Rumi) who encouraged nity to be objective about it “The image the system; that Parsis are superior to me all the way and the most wonderful of this (community) is much more fantas- other Indians. ” She points out that when a grandparents a girl could have, ” acknowl- tic than anything lean translate onto the Parsi marries a Westerner it is okay but if edges Taraporevala. She traces the migra- screen, ” she states. he should marry a Hindu or a Muslim it is tion of her family: from Udvada to Tar- She advises Parsis to see Mississippi frowned upon. apore (from where the surname origi- Masala which is more than a simple story “An ungrateful Parsi is like a black tur- nated), to Manor! (where they traded in about discrimination of whites against nip, ” Taraporevala quotes an old proverb fresh fish), to Malad, to central Bombay, KI—1 ...K.* . where her grandfather and his brother „ - were the first in the family to obtain a col- from Uganda who have resettled in the sanctuary for so many years? ” This is also lege degree. “My granduncle never left USA and run a mQtel in Mississippi. It is true of Parsis settled in the West. “Once Sleater Road and he knew all about the great fun till the black carpet sweeper and they go abroad they cease to think of world through the books, ” says Tarapore- their daughter fall in love; then die true themselves as Indians and see themselves vala. And, “even though I am in the film color of racism emerges. “We as Indians "" *— — ----------'--------' ' ’ *¦ ’ can be as ‘racist ’ as anyone else and the film examines our attitudes to this prob- \Ne as Indians can be as ‘racist’ as anyone else cc ff don ’t have that in me. It ’s just certain atti ­ tudes I can ’t stand. There is a lot of good in the community. We need to critically re-examine ourselves. ” Looking back at her childhood as she breezes in and out of Bombay to Europe, to the States or to wherever her talent is required, Taraporevala, as yet single, zooms in “with love and gratitude ” on her away from our women, ”’ says Tarapore- Ms Rati Wadia, who encouraged her to vala, noting: “I might add that they (the don ’t think Parsis know what racism tant when you are growing up. 1 have par ­ means. They see it vepr much as part of ents (Freny and Rumi) who encouraged he should marry a Hindu or a Muslim it is “An ungrateful Parsi is like a black tur- nated), to Manor! (where they traded in blacks or whites against Indians. The and re-examines it “Then why are we so story, in brief, is about an Indian family ungrateful to the country which gave us as free-floating Zoroastrians which I find business, I feel sad that kids today are los- very odd... “Having said that. I’m not a ing out on reading because of TV and Parsi hater, ” Taraporevala clarifies. “I video. ” •nr Best Wishes From RUSY & PURVIZ SHROFF ? 24 Parsiana February 1992WELFARE i J I ^Things f all into place Arnavaz S. Mama zz I s I The organizing of some of the largest Zoroastrian functions in Bombay has been the concern of community activist Ms Homai Modi £. i I 1 I I' I “When Dastur (Dr Maneck) Dhalla ar- tense commitment. Modi had been con- maintain the bunglis and odier structures rived at a sociad or religious gathering, ferred the Federation ’s Shiavax Nar- like the nasakhana and the bodga (where everybody stood up. ” TTiat is one cherished memory of the in social and community service, two years that community activist Ms Homai Modi spent in Karachi as a young girl. The other is of |^B| hearing the assembled Parsis sing Chhaiy^ Ham£ Zarthosti for ^^B the first time. Both were to form a leitmotif in the later life of the ^^B erect, controlled woman who has ^^B helped (H-ganize some of the ^^B most prestigious community events of the past decade. The J^B recollection of community disci- ^^B pline and respect for authority |H|I remain etched in her mind, sur- facing during the interview in ^^B the emphasis on prq;)riety and ^^B obedience. ^^B golwala Memorial Award for excellence nassessalars change out of the garments they wear inside the dokhmas) which Apart from these periodic highlights, were recently redone. Quality paint work was executed by Naval Davar ’s I sons Hormuzd at M concessional informs. I The committee has just I renova^ng one part of the « Bhabha bungli thtuiks to funds forthcoming from the fSunily and other donws, she says. Much more funds are requii^ for all that always needs to be done at S«> doongerwadi — masonry, car ­ pentry and electrical repair; the dotmgerwadi accounts are al ­ ways in deficit, she adds. The association between the Museum and the Institute is a The joint honorary secretary long-standing one. Curator Ms of the K. R. Cama Oriental Insti- ¦¦¦ Kalpana Desai and director Dr tute (KRCOl) has just seen the Sadashiv Gorakshkar of the ccxnpiction a year-long cele- POWM had not only presented bration of the Institute ’s plati- papers at the International Con- num jubilee, climaxing with gress but h^ participated in its Parasika — the Zoroastrian Story organization. And IQ- num jubilee seemed to her to be just the by the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) at praisal of applications and filial allotment occasion to project the K. R. Cama name ' . When Gorakshkar too the Rayomond Committee, of which she seemed amenable to the concept. Modi mooted the idea to the Institute ’s trustees - president Jehangir Shroff, vice presi- Bhabha bungli thanks to funds I Ex! * 7 the behest of the Federation of Parsi of flats goes on as a part of the work of in that way. Zoroastrian Anjumans of India and, in be ­ tween, as chairperson of the B. D. Petit is a member. The BPP’s matrimonial bu- Parsee General Hospital ’s fund raising reau expects her to help arrange their committee, had helped that august institu- functions and picnics. Some time each dent Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy, Dastur (Dr) tion collect much needed funds amount- week has to be reserved for meetings of Kaikhusro Jam^Asa, Capt Hormazdiar ing to the tune of over eight lakh rupees in its 75th year. In recognition of this in- the Doongerwadi subcommittee of which Desai, Noshir Cama, Munchi Cama and she is a part. The committee seeks to Adi Ripon Daruwalla. 26 Parsisna February 1992 I¦Si Quite at a loss to explain her success at cipline. Modi asks, “If we are all black sheep, where arc we going to get the organizing a variety of events. Modi says, white sheep from? And if a white sheep “I always feel that if my motives are cor- comes, will we get better or will we just rect and I start out with my prayers, things kill the white sheep off? ” fall into place. ” The tone is humble. As an Modi tries to tread the middle path, example she related the background to the KRCOI’s International Congress in 1989. With the Institute in deficit, she had “the temerity to suggest that I do it. ” But along came Rusi Bhamgara to arrange comfort ­ able accommodation for the visiting scholars at the Garware Guest House; Dr (Ms) Katy Dalal who provided food at rock bottom prices and free teas twice a day through the four days of the Con- “There are times when one needs to be gress; and dinner invitations to all the Initially the gentlemen were not enthu ­ siastic, admits Modi. The question of fi ­ nance was crucial and the trustees were not in a position to contribute. But, con ­ tinues Modi, “they had faith enough in me to embark on (the) project, ” so Modi and her friends swung into action, col ­ lecting resources. Modi ’s reward was a spectacle that “clicked with a lot of people ” leading to a demand for the exhi ­ bition ’s perpetuation. However, midway through the year-long celebrations, Aspi Moddie, chairman of the celebrations committee resigned and the exhibition it ­ self led to much disharmony behind the scene. The great granddaughter of Jamshedji liberal; there are times when one needs visitors on three nights — one from a Madan, the pioneer film distributor of to be conservative. One must learn to ad- ~ Calcutta and Sir Cowasji Katrak of Kara- just, ” she says, refusing to be typecast^ chi. Modi, nee Minocher-Homji, had a strict, traditional upbringing with manda ­ tory piano and ballet lessons. With an outlook on the world, changes. You Modi ’s debut as organizer was made ingrained respect for authority. Modi automatically learn what all the great re- during her undergraduate years at Jai feels that the community must respect its ligions have come to teach...You learn to Hind College. When she joined the insti- high priests — “the office if not the per ­ son ” — because then “something within becomes geared to respecting people bet- Modi, noting her fondness for philo- Nadir Modi and Khurshed Sheriar who ter. ” Commenting on the community ’s extreme individuality and lack of self-dis- “Living in an orderly manner your outlook on the world changes ” non-Parsi whom Modi did not even know! Smiling at the memory Modi “Living in an orderly manner as God notes, “That ’s how we do it — with very has created, your whole way of life, your little money and a lot of goodwill! ” outlook on the world, changes. You ligions have come to teach...You learn to live a different kind of life...You don ’t tution the Young Collegians ’ Zoroastrian get bogged down with trivialities, ” says Association (YCZA) had been started by sophic and religious literature and the were both professors there. Her trustee ­ need for meditation. ship of the j^sociation was cemented FIRDOS & S. CAMBATTA CO. 'Cambatta Central', Bharat Bobins Ltd Premises Rakhial Road, Ahmedabad 380023 Agents in Gujarat for: MZs ION EXCHANGE (INDIA) LTD - For INDION Water Softening Plants, Demineralisers, Cation & Anion Resins, Filters, Chemical Dosers etc ? ? ? J Sole concessionaires in Gujarat for: MZs INGERSOLL-RAND (INDIA) LTD For Air Compressors and Vacuum Pumps 28 Parsiana February 1992made it a national anthem to the tune of of the YCZA. The second was organized Blue Bells of Scotland. We tried to ex- under the YCZA banner with ZS help, she I with her marriage to Nadir (the marriage, with three children, was to end in a di ­ vorce) but the group, whose membership plain that there was none other... ” recalls, had almost reached the 500 mark, began Marzban tried to find someone to com- 4 I I t I' I 1 / The first two ghambars were held on to decline drastically so that they could pose a proper anthem, recounts Modi, but the lawns of the Cricket Club of India no longer afford to hire a hall and meet- nothing came of it. In the meantime the (CCI), with catering by Bomi Patel. The ings with four to five members attending YCZA boys v/ho had acquired small first was a roaring success. The second had to be held in their small flat at Tar- bands and were perftxming at navjotes chaotic with black-marketing in tickets deo, she recalls. When the family shifted and weddings, began playing it as a part and stampeding crowds. But it taught to Modi Lodge at Gamdevi, Modi says of their repertoire. The official status of Modi to organize the paats (sealings) they slowly rebuilt the membership to the song was established when the BPP with entry chits assigning first, second or weekly get-togethers of nearly 400 indi- called on the Modis ’ group to sing it at the third sitting to the diners even as they en- viduals. ~ “ By then, Chhaiyi Hami Zarthosti had become a recurring refrain in Modi ’s mind. The two verses from a song in a play — the th>d verse is never sung be ­ cause it ’s a part of the play, informs counter drug addiction and VD. There (the late) Framroze Pavri. He never took Modi — “had moved me tremendously would even be an annual jashan by the a single pie, not even out-of-pocket ex- and I tried to look out for the song when navar maratabs within die group, re- the YCZA came up again. ” Strumming at counts Modi. A number of YCZA mem- it on the piano, singing it after every func- bers were present at Bombay House to Freny and (the late) Rohinton Godiwalla tion, by the time of the YCZA’s silver attend the first Zoroastrian Studies (ZS) who “not only charged the lowest pos- jubilee in 1977 the two-verse pamphlets lecture organized by Khojeste Mistree. It sible rates but threw in an extra vani had been printed and distributed at their led to the holding of the first ghambar. (course) on the house, ” the lady remi- functions so that people could memorize Modi doesn ’t remember “whose idea it nisces. it “(The late) Adi Marzban was there (at was - Khojeste Mistree ’s or Keti and the jubilee celebration at Allbless Bang), Fredie Mehtas ’” but Modi was invited to holding of similar functions by the ladies and he mentioned in the Jam^ that we had organize it, which she did, with the help continued on page 44 Third World Zoroastrian Congress , 1978. tered the grounds. YCZA activities included excursions and hikes to the Bahrot Caves, treks, pic- but the location shifted to the Parsi Gym- nics, debates, fancy dress as well as lec- khana grounds which were provided free tures on religion, on mental health to of cost. “We got tremendous help from Five or six more ghambars followed, penses, ” Modi recalls gratefully. Another source of support was the catering team of The success of the ghambars led to the 1 ! i For Pure Diamonds JEWELLERS 324, Grant Road, Bombay 400007. Telephone 371483 Fax 3099648 APPOINTED VALUERS BY THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA 30 Pmiana Ftbruary 1S92BUSINESS A lesson in leasing Gustasp Irani f I The success of Faruk Irani's First Leasing Company resulted in a flood of leasing companies r security, since the leased out asset tech ­ nically belongs to them, they save time in documentation. “We should grant one crore rupees within three weeks as against three months that banks would take to document and process a similar account, ” says Irani. Businessmen rec ­ ognized a good deal when they saw one. The simple principle on which a leas ­ ing company operates, according to Irani, is hire-purchase. The fine tuning of the operations allows for depreciation, inter ­ est rates, opportunity costs, tax and other considerations. One understanding is that As manager of the corpo- there is an interna- the lessee purchases the financially depre- rate branch of Citibank, tional first too. “Nowhere ciated asset at the end of the lease period. Bombay, the career of else in the world was a Faruk M. Irani was full of company launched with promise. It was aposition SRh the sole purpose of intro- equipment is repossessed by the leasing most people would have ducing leasing, ” says Irani, company. “So far we have not had any cherished. Having worked In the West, he explains, aircraft or oil rigs on our hands, ” Irani with the leasing section of the industry evolved out of laughs. Citibank in Hong Kong, other considerations. “In It is to avoid this eventuality of repos- Singapore and the Philip- the US, leasing had a re- sessing 'special purpose equipment that pines, Irani had a compel- birth after World War II,” leasing companies prefer to deal with ling vision — to introduce he states. Airlines wanting general purpose, durable assets; comput- leasing in India. Irani pro- to purchase high cost air- ers, cranes, even cars, refrigerators and posed that the bank pro- craft could not get banks to household appliances. Tatas, Mafatlals, mote a similar venture in Irani: in a high risk industry finance their purchases as Johnson and Johnson are only some of India. “They thought it they could not meet the the big names that are clients of the FLC. was premature. I did not, so I resigned, ” conditions that these banking institutions “We are referred to as a congeneric ac ­ recalls Irani. He then started a venture, new and untested in the country. In 1973, they needed. So these airlines approached organization, ” says Irani. Irani was instrumental in forming the first other companies and corporate bodies leasing company in the country. He recognized that he necked organ- craft and then lease these out to them, the companies, but not before FLC won a izational backing to translate his vision airlines. court ruling (another first) — thanks to into a reality and this he found in A. C. In India the story was slightly differ- the efforts of eminent jurist Nani Palkhi- Muthia of the Madras-based M. A. Chi ­ dambaram group of companies. Irani put here with the vast banking network and vestment allowances. In effect, it allowed more than his expertise on the line; he where the market is full of fmancial in- leasing companies to claim certain crucial signed a promissory note of one lakh stitutions like the Industrial Develop- allowances which wottld make them fi- rupees to cover the costs of setting up the company office. “I came prepared to put nance Corporation of India, the Industrial my own money on this new venture, ” he Credit and Investment Corporation of In ­ states. The First Leasing Company of dia, the Unit Trust of India...? ” Irani an- India Limited (FLC), of which Irani is the managing director, was established that these institutions finance up to only and registered on September 10, 1973 in 75 percent of the value of a purchase. Madras. — - First is more than part of the com ­ pany ’s name. Apart from being the first crores. The borrower would have to put their operations. “At that time I made a leasing company in India, it was the first Rs 2.5 crores of his own money. We (the representation to the Reserve Bank of of such companies to be over-subscribed leasing companies) turned around and India pointing out that this was a high by more than 50 times when it went pub- said that we will take the entire risk. We risk industry. People were learning leas- lic in 1980, the first leasing company to will purchase the equipment for Rs 10 ing at the public ’s risk rather than their declare a bonus issue and the first in the industry to get an AAA credit rating. Technically, if a party is unable to meet his commitments, the leased asset or It is to avoid this eventuality of repos- 33 Parsiana February 1992 conditions that these banking institutions required before granting them the loans tivity; in effect we are a financial service The success of the FLC was to lead to with the proposition that they buy the air- a flooding of the market with leasing In India the story was slightly differ ­ ent. “How did leasing get a foothold vala — that permitted them to claim in- ment Bank of India, the Industrial Fi- nancially viable. “Once we won that con ­ cession it was the green signal for others to enter the market. What happened was that it was a kind of gold rush. Four swers his own question by pointing out hundred leasing companies got registered in the early 1980s,” says Irani. Most of the new companies pointed to the success of the FLC and went to the “For instance for a Rs 10-crore equip ­ ment the banks will finance only Rs 7.5 stock market to raise money to finance crores and lease it out to you. ” Further own. ” Irani proposed that promoters of because leasing companies do not require leasing companies should demonstrateAll it encourage a Parsi to advance. takes is one hour every evening. The Parsi bank clerk must take the first step; MATRIMONIAL Matrimonial alliance invited from good­ looking, domestically- trained ^roastrian girls of good family background for son aged 32, having his own accommodation and established business, earning handsomely. Reply with full details to: The Advertiser Parsiana Matrimonial (Feb/8-92) GPO Box 892 Bombay 400001 MATRIMONIAL Matrimonial correspondence invited from educated and well-settled Parsi boys, up to 28-30 years of age, by well-to-do professional parents for their educated and homely daughter, aged 24. Apply with details and preferably photograph (returnable) to: The Advertiser Parsiana Matrimonial (Feb/9-92) GPO Box 892 Bombay 400001 their ability to run such institutions before going public. The warning was prophetic in a way for out of the 400 new companies, today that ’s all there is to it -- that first step. ” only about 15 remain as leasing compa ­ nies, the rest having diversified into other community is not officially accepting activities or... “The problem was that they children of Parsi ladies married to non- did not do their homework well, ” says Irani. FLC did, and for seven years before it went public in 1980 when it was oversub ­ scribe by 53 times. “At that time it was dren because of this, ’’ says Irani, adding, very unusual to e that high ly oversub ­ scribed, ” says Irani. Today from an initial investment of Rs 2.5 lakhs, it has an equity base of Rs 17 crores. Its as ­ sets are about Rs 150 crores, the revenue last year was Rs 33 crores and cash profits who has been residing in this city for the Rs 19 crores. In November 1991 the com- past 19 years, is about 300 strong and pany script was quoted at around Rs 45 on doing well. There has been a growth in the stock exchange. And being “the first the numbers but more a result of migra- Icasing company to get two AAA credit tion than of an increase in the size of the ratings from the ICIRA (Industrial Credit families. “There is a lot of opportunity and Information Reporting Agency) ” has for Parsis in Madras. If Bombay Parsis put them in an enviable position in the are prepared to move they will be in de ­ industry — the top. I . Looking back at his career, Irani can- highly respect^ here, ” says Irani. And not hide a hint of awe at the course it housing will not be a problem. A comfort ­ look. “The last thing I expected to do able two-bedroom apartment can be had was become a banker, ” he says. “I was into pure economics and philosophy; my feet were off the ground. I wanted to become a part of the planning commis ­ sion of India. ” His career plans took a help, speaks English. “You can get by turn when his late father Meherji was with only English. I don ’t speak Tamil, ” struck by cancer. He had to abandon his he confesses. His wife Shema and his plans to join the London School of Eco- daughters Farah and Lia do. nomics and opt for a management posi- ’ tion with Citibank immediately after vide, not at least in the two communities graduation from St Xavier ’s College, settled in India. “There is no difference Bombay, so that he could be close to his between the two. The only difference is father and mother Gool during those in the timing (when the two landed in In- trying times. dia) and in our prayers. The differences It was a career choice that many of his are too small to matter. What is important community opt for. While the Parsi bank is that we worship the same God, ” he ob- clerk is a much abused tribe, Irani dem ­ onstrated that banking and finance can be a dynamic and rewarding career. “The a cup of tea at the pavilion of the Bombay Parsi bank clerk should not think his job Gymkhana. The waiter taking the order is is the end of the world, ” he says. Head- vises them to join evening classes or cor ­ respondence courses so that they may join the management cadre. “The Parsi is still visit to Bombay is brief and exhaustive, highly regarded for his integrity. There is such a fund of goodwill that people will Irani ’s other concern is that the Parsi Parsis into its fold. “My own conviction is that religion is learnt from the mother. If you lose her, you lose the child and we are depriving ourselves of waves of chil- I 34 Parsiana February 1992 ** ¦ "v. -'/ah :)¦ »»*• “I believe that the mingling of Parsis with non-Parsis will, like evo- lution, lead not to degenera ­ tion but regen ­ eration of the community. ” The Parsi community in Madras, according to Irani lewereleahfi^' I mand in a city like Madras. Parsis are « * for a monthly rent of Rs 2,500 - without a pagri or deposit payment The language is no barrier, according to Irani. Everyone, even the domestic Irani does not s^ any Irani-Parsi di- serves. The interview over, we settle down for offhand and we see a flash of the famed Irani temper. The waiter snaps to atten ­ tion. Irani is a perfectionist of sorts. His He has no time and energy to waste; these assests are saved for his company. ,1 'i ]BOOKS Scriptural study - prospects and pitfalls etc) at the time of the navjote ceremony (based on an old Middle Eastern tradition which considers every letter of the alpha ­ bet as sacred), a practice which the Sanjana mobeds (of Udwada) have kept up till today. When, about 35 years ago, a high priest interpolated Kemna Mazda afto- peresat Zarathushtro ahurem mazdapt and started compelling the child to recite the same at the time of the scriptural studies. And hence this work, navjote, other high priests and mobeds of diverse clans took exception to this inno ­ vation. At that time two Bhagariya mobeds, for whom the innovator was a old work solid ground through which to demigod, came out with a counter attack! help a student of Avesta. They maintained that, over the years, their As the title page and the foreword indi- counterparts in Udwada “w«e asking the The prevailing trends are such that the cate, Jamaspasa published the first edition young initiates to recite meaningless _ ______ _______; _______22 _¦_¦¦¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ This words. ” Obviously, the intention behind take to script^ studies. ' Whereas other lithographed edition has been ably revised the charge was to sidetrack the mam issue communities, because of their numerical and enlarged by Mirza who has taught —- innovation. Of course, high priests of strength, may not feel the crunch pro- scriptural languages for nearly 50 years, diverse clans and toowledgeable laymen by these trends, the Parsis just can- He sets about his task in a scholarly man- denounced the innovation in no uncertain not afford to ignore the dangerous por- books, dictio nari es, etc, plus the scarcity unique publication, the author and his mobeds peform navjotes as per the ac- * ¦ .... .................... . * *¦'——*¦'------i methodology, Mirza has tried to elucidate the singular assemblage so ably that it merits the attention of scholars and young aspirants alike. In general Mirza has accomplished a task which he is uniquely qualified to undertake. The work is a classic demon ­ stration of the value of linguistic research and the way a well-charted study can etymological intricacies, origin of the serve not only the discipline as a whole script, Pahlavi writings, but a confluence of disciplines. It is of immense value to the thoughtful student, helpful to the budding-scholar, but of no use to those in search of aids to pseu- Faribourz Nariman Vamehade Avesta ^Avesta writing) by Pe- ; _ shotan Dastur Jamshedji Jamaspasa, Bombay Given not to mobilizing populist parochi- 1846. Enlarged second edition — Bombay 1990 (nine plates) by Hormazdyar Dastur Kayoji Mirza. Available from Dr Mirza, 4, Babulnath Road. Bombay 400007. Pp; 148. Price: Rs 110. alism or to suggest pseudo-mystical inter ­ pretations, Mirza found in Jamaspasa ’s young in every community do not readily of the book way back in 1846. tents involved. Unavailability of certain He sets about his task in a scholarly man ­ no-. Fifteen pages of his preface are terms. Today, barring a couple of follow- packed with information concerning this ers of the innovator, almost all the of proficient teachers are other factors life-sketch, purpose of the publication, cepted custom. With his scholarship and which accentuate these portents. The • dangerousness increases tenfold when the high-ups in some institutions, estab ­ lished with the aim of encouraging scrip ­ tural studies, revel in playing politics by adopting a hostile attitude towards some of our internationally reputed religion ­ ists. It need hardly be added that such an attitude dissuades the young aspirants from taking to scriptural studies. The precarious position is given an- Avesta script, Pahlavi other perverted twist by some twilit mys- Manichaean writings, langu^e studies in tics who pompously sermonize: “Thou ancient Iran, priestly activities in India, shalt not study Avestan, nor shalt thou etc. read a translation of our scriptures. ” Our Jamaspasa ’s original work in Gujarati domystical. rigmaroles. ~ ................. The quality of paper and printing suits the purpose. Some printing errors here Our ancient heritage is becoming less comprehensible shalt not study Avestan, nor shalt thou etc. ancient heritage is becoming less and has bean translated into English by Mirza less comprehensible as the study of Old who has taken care to embellish the sec- . . _ Persian, Avestan, Pahlavi-Pazand is ond edition with linguistic and phonetic and there do not mar the overall value of more and more neglected by members of notes, a table of conventional and modem the work. Considering the escalating our “progressive ” community. In the phonetic terms, a glossary of Gujarati costs of papa- and printing, together with absence of well-equipped religionists, terms, an appendix containing the genea- the fact that diacritical marks are used the sacred texts are reduced to so many logy of the Jamaspasas and nine plates il- almost throughout the English portion of levers eminently suitable fw manipula- lustrating the Iranian scripts. the book, the prit^ spears to be reason- tion by interlopers and those desirous of protecting their vested interests. The apprehension of a mortal threat to ----------------- „ . Avestan studies — and consequently to old practice according to which a better if trustees of other trusts could ar- the future generation — tends to produce Zoroastrian child used to recite a singular range to emulate this example and decide concentration on the roots of that cher- assemblage of characters of the alphabet to sponsor scholarly publications in the ished way of preserving and enhancing (eg ka ka kakaiya, kha kha khakhaiya, near future. On one hand, the original work gives able. It is gratifying to note that the trus- a fair picture of the state of Avestan stud- tees of the Baug-e Iranshah Trust decided ies about 15 decades ago. It reveals the to sponsor the publication. It would be 35 Parsiana February 1992BOOKS Of myths and men Piloo N. Jungalwalla cited. Among these are the Zamasp- namagh or the Jamaspi, a book of pro ­ phecies much loved by both Parsi and Irani Zoroastrians of an earlier day; the Vision of Ardagh Viraz, or Arda Vircf, so freely quoted from by our grandparents; and the History of Yavisht-e-Fryan, an early legend of the gnomic variety. The '^^eEpicsof^eKhgsinAnci^tlr^ian Tra- prefixed by the East Iranian title, Kavi or exploits of Ardashir I, founder of the ditions by Arthur Christensen. Translated from — the French by Farrokh Vajifdar. Published in 1991 by K. R. Clma Oriental Institute, 136, Bombay Samachar Marg, Fort, Bombay 400023. Pp: 77. early legend of the ^omic variety. The . ’ * ’___ __j Kava. Several of these are also found in Sassanian dynasty, embodied in the Kar- the Vedas. namagh-i-Ardasher, and the book on the Christensen now describes the origin game of chess, Chatrang-namagh or Viz- of man as told in the legend of the first arishn-i-Chatrang, are both incorporated human couple, Mashyagh and in the bulky Khvadhaya-namagh. Special At the request of Zeroastrian anjumans Mashyangh, bom from a plmt, the rhu- mention is made of the Ayadg/wr-/-Zdre- abroad who ask for books on Zoroastrian barb. This itself germinated from the ran because it relates incidents from the history, legends and religion fearing their semen of the primordial giant, war between Kava Vishtasp, patron of children would grow up ignorant of their Gayomard, Gayamartan (gaya — life, Zarathushtra, and Aijasp, king of the cultural and religious heritage, the K. R. and martan — death, in other words, Chionities. Emile Benveniste, the French C^a Oriental Institute of Bombay com- mortal man). These legends and the sad scholar, was the first to point out that this missioned Farrokh Vajifdar of London to story of the murder of Eraj by his two text is in verse. translate, from the French, the 77-page brothers Salm and Tur are placed in the Mashyagh _ _ . At this point (Christensen digresses for booklet on The Epics of the Kings in An- Arsacid period. nearly six printed pages into the question cient Iranian Traditions by the Danish “The religious tradition never loses of Arabic and Iranian prosody. What in ­ scholar, Arthur Christensen. This book sight of the cosmic background, ” writes trigues the reader is the casual motion contains the Ratanbai Katrak Lectures Christensen. “The eschatology is the pe- of various stories and romances about delivered by Christensen and published riod of convergence of the events of which one wants to know more. For ex­ in Paris, 1934. Although this little clas- three milleniums between Gayomaid and ample, the Drcdcht assurigh, or Assyrian sic is dated, it contains historical mate- Zoroaster (Christensen, p.l5). ” tree, belongs to the type known as the “lit- rial not easily available elsewhere. Far- rokh Vajifd^ ’s English translation is new phase in the Sassanian epoch culmi- tree and a goat argue as to who is .supe- both readable and enjoyable. nating in the royal chronicle of the rior. One is consumed with curiosity to There are four chapters in all. Chapter Khvadhaya-namagh (Khodai Nama), the know who won the argument: the date 1 deals with the early epic and its reli- Bode of Sovereigns. This is considered a palm w the goat? The answer is in the gious and national background as found “literary monument of Iranian antiquity Journal Asiatique, 1930. Here again in the Pishdadian and Kayanian epochs, embracing the history of the Iranians Benv^iste reco^izes that the text is in The exciting story of the first man and from the beginning to the times of verse and rearranges the whole acewd- first king, Yama/Yima, is vividly pre- Khushro II (590-628) translated several ingly. Three popular epics mentioned sented. This is followed by the legend of times into Arabic during the first centu- can be traced to the family of Vishtasp, the demon, Azhi Dahak, and his con- ries of Islam (Christensen, p.15-16).” the patron of Zaratfiushtra. These are: queror, Thraetaona. Next comes the The author points out that the “recol- the Paikarnamagh, or the book of story of the curly-haired, mace-armed lection of the Seleucids had been com- battles; Rustom and Spandiyadh; and the hero, Kershasp, the Aryan Hercules. The pletely effaced, and the period of the Kay-Lohraspnamagh, Lohrasp being the exploits of Haushyana (Hushang/Hos- ‘tribal chiefs, ’ that is, the Arsacids, is father of Kava Vishtasp. Among the hang) and Takhma Urupi, “master of only a void filled with a few names, the many romantic tales of the period, Chris- men and demons who traversed the greater part of which are not historic tensen selects Vis and Ramin, Vejan and world from one pole to the other for 30 (Christensen, p.l9). ” But he also points Manijagh, Frahadh and Shirin, and the years on the back of the evil spirit who out that the “most famous from among tragic story of Rustom and Sohrabh. The had been changed into a horse, ” (Yt the Arsacid kings appear disguised as the exploits of the popular general Vahram 19.26-29) are related with gusto. Chris- great vassals of the Kayanians (ibid). ” Choben, are embodied in the Vahram tensen omits the vivid detail about Shah The first chapter concludes with a refer- Choben namagh, but of the other popular Hoshang in whose reign there was such ence to the Sistanian kings and heroes, general, who, like Vahram Choben, re- widespread happiness and plenty that Dastan-Zal and Rustom. volted agmnst the king and usurped the “the plants and the waters laughed ” (Yt Chapter II deals with the kings and throne, nothing remains except the title: 19 and Shah Namah). The description of heroes in the narrative literature of the Book of Shahrvaraz and Khushro Abhar- the pre-Zoroastrian epics closes with a Sassanian period. Various popular works vez. By far the most loved and sung list of the various kings whose names are in Pahlavi, translated into Arabic, are among popular heroes was however, Vah- “The religious tradition never loses contains the Ratanbai Katrak Lectures Christensen. “The eschatology is the pe- Zoroaster (Christensen, p. 15).” The legendary history of Iran enters a erature of controversy. ” The Assyrian new phase in the Sassanian epoch culmi ­ nating in the royal chronicle of the Bode of Sovereigns. This is considered a palm w the goat? The answer is in the “literary monument of Iranian antiquity Journal Asiatique, 1930. I’’’ ries of Islam (Christensen, p.15-16).” The author points out that the “recol- 36 Parsiana February 1992 A, Ip sanian epoch, in a literary genre known as egy in battle, the second concerns archery andarz/handarx, and pandnamagh. The and the third describes the best way of striking the ball with a stick in the game ram V, sumamed Gor, the onager or wild He is a type apart, writes Chris ­ tensen, “intrepid warrior, hunter without word, andari, is still in current use in equal, irrepressible personage, toper, Urdu. We ask a cook to put in a pinch of of polo, great lover of music and of all kinds of this or that into the dish he is preparing, entertainment (Christensen, p.35).’’ “by andarz, ” meaning by approximation. ass. Chapter IV, the concluding chapter of this little booklet, deals with the royal Besides Iranian heroes, there were This type of literature is characterized by legends as found in the Greek writings of others of foreign lineage. A Pahlavi pithy sayings, wise saws, and counsels that age. Herodotus, Ctesias and Xeno- book on Nimrod, king of Babylon, was given by a father to a son or by a ruler to phon are discussed. Legends, such as that translated into Arabic. Strangest of all, his people on his deathbed or at a time of of Zariadres (Zarir, brother of Kava the “accursed Alexander ” becomes, in ................................................................. the Alexander Romance, transformed into a glittering hero! In the Greek Lay of Aristotle, he is made fun of, a story much relished by the Europeans of the Middle Ages. There were also free Pahlavi versions of a number of Sai^^krit works, including the Panchatantra which was translated by the physician, Burzoe, under the title, Ka- lilagh and Damnagh. Moreover, the “seven treasures ” of Khushro II are commemorated in ballad and song by various Arab and Persian authors. This chapter closes with a reference to political crisis. About 15 andarz are ex- a significant new type of hero, the com- • mon man of lowly origin, who rises to chooses the Karnamagh which depicts the tached to the epic literature. The Iranian lead his people to overthrow tyranny and life and sayings of Ardashir-i-Pabhaghan, epic of antiquity iS’Comparcd to “a musi- regain their freedom. Kavagh the black- the founder of the Sassanian dynasty, for cal instrument with two strings which are smith had sacrificed 17 of his 18 sons to f " .... ... the serpents of Azhi Dahak. But he re ­ fused to sacrifice his last and youngest in the Khvadhaya Namagh, the latter harmonious accord (Christensen, p.77).” son. Leading him by the hand, he being more historical and in keeping with Although this work is of extreme the inscriptions left for posterity by this value to all Zoroastrians who want to Vishtasp) and Odatis (Hudata), based on the love story of Kava Vishtasp and Katayun, daughter of the King of Greece, as related in Firdausi ’s Shah Namah, are also mentioned, not omitting the Ro­ mance of Esther and the Book of the Wis ­ dom of Ahiqar. These last two may be read in the Jewish Apocrypha in the chap- ters on “The Bode of Esther ’’' and the “Book of Tobit. ’’ In the half-page conclusion which ends the book under review, Christensen makes two observations. Almost all the historical legends reflect the monarchic spirit in the epic and narrative literature of ancient Iran. In the Middle Iranian tant in the original Pahlavi. Christensen period, the feudal spirit becomes at- The model king is he who makes the two strings of heroism and wisdom resound in harmonious accord discussion. He compares this text with heroism and wisdom. The model king is the account of Ardashir Papakan as found he who makes the two strings resound in Leading him by the hand, he being more historical and in keeping with marched into the throne room of Dahak, and shaking his fist at the tyrant, he king. know something of their cultural heri- raised his leather apron on the point of a It is, however, of absorbing interest to tage, it is more than 50 years out-of-date, spear vowing he would find Faredoon read the Letter of Tansar/Tosar, the Tes- May I suggest there be a follow-up in (Thraetaona), the rightful heir to the lament of Ardashir and the three inscrip- two further publications: throne, and unseat the tyrant. He did so. tions of Karder/Kartir in order to relish •A volume containing The Letter of Tan- For generations, the apron of Kavagh andarz literature at its best. Christensen sar, translated into vivid, idiomatic Eng- was displayed as the royal banner, the writes: lish, with an excellent introduction, by Drafs-i-Kavayan. Persian princesses vied “Tansar is a historical personage. He Dr Mary Boyce, published in Rome, with one another in embroidering it with was herbadhan herbadh or supreme chief 1968, under the auspices of UNESCO and pearls and diamonds, rubies and sap- of the fire-temple officials under the reign the Rome Oriental Series; the Testament phires. Its jewelled splendor shone like of Ardashir. It is he who on Ardashir ’s of Ardashir, as printed in the New Cam- the Sun as the Iranian arms marched to orders, having gathered together the scat- bridge History of Ancient Iran, general battle. It was this banner that fell into tered texts of the Avesta, made a revision editor, Ehsan Yars hater; and the three in ­ Arab hands at the Battle of Nihavand of these which woe then made canonical scriptions of Karder of which the first two (641 AC). The Sassanian dynasty died (Christensen, p.43).” A cursay analysis were translated into French by Made- never to rise again, except for a brief pe- of Tansar ’s Letter follows together with a moiselle L. Chaumont and Professor Phil- riod in the reign of Reza Shah Pahlavi. few quotations from the Testament of Ar- lippe Gignoux; the third into English by We now turn to Chapter III which is dashir. Although Karder was also her- the American scholar, G. C. Cameron, devoted to “The Model King. ” The an- badhan herbadh like Tansar, and fol- All three were published in the Journal cient Iranians had a very clear idea as to lowed him, and was equally powerful, Asiatique, 1960; 1972; 1978. They the duties of a model king as we see from nothing is said about his three inscriptions should be in English in order to be widely the Shah Namah. He must rescue his as these were being studied at the time of read. country from an evil ruler, retxganize writing (1934). Mention is made, how- •The second volume could be devoted to society ravaged by evil rule, and above ever, of die Pandnamagh ofVuzurghmihr the legends and romances mentioned by all, he must shine as a spiritual guide, a - — - sage whom his people can look up to. ter closes with a brief reference to three What a treasure house of history and This conception of the good ruler was extracts on “the science of weaponry. ” legend, heroism and wisdom, the two embodied, towards the end of the Sas- The first extract deals with military strat- proposed volumes would be. It is, however, of absorbing interest to of which a Pahlavi text exists. The chap- Christensen, ter closes with a Ixief reference to three 37 Parsiana February 1992 IBOOKS Runaway Raj Burjor K. Karanjia gang aft agley — in the instant case, largely due to the machinations and blun- derings of: Inspector Hawkins who is quite a caricature of the British official in India; the Grand Vazir, henpecked, to whom intrigue is the breath of life; and Prince Bhayankar who, true to his name, is an overblown character with a tally of The plot revolves round Prince Vir 250 tigers killed and a fondness for beat- blackmailed into returning to India from ing up human beings. London, leaving his heart very much be ­ Once Upon a Raj by Gustasp Irani. Published discontent Right Poodles? ” in 1992 by Disha Books, an imprint of Orient Longman Limited, Kamani Marg, Ballard Estate, Bombay 400038. Pp: 164. Price: Rs 50. ........................ - , , - - London, leaving his heart very much be- Irani enjoys himself poking fun at his In the story of India ’s independence hind, to play the groom in a marriage of characters. “Early in his childhood, ” he movement, princely India is a closed and political convenience. Prince Vir, desper- writes, “the Grand Vazir had accepted the somewhat irrelevant but by no means ate to escape the fate decreed for him by, fact that while smiling helped the average forgotten, chapter. The image, albeit dis- torted, in the public mind is of eccentric, high-living, low-thinking rajahs and their whimsical ways, of bejewelled wives in teeming harems pining for the royal sum ­ mons, of the vulgar display of wealth and the pursuit of pleasure for pleasure ’s sake, of neglected and submissive subjects, of court intrigues, interstate blunderings and shady shindigs. Gustasp Irani in his extremely readable Once Upon a Raj pulls this image side ­ ways and all ways, further distorting it, even beyond the bound of credibility, sgr much to our merriment. Here we have a ¦ rajah whose world revolves round his mango orchard; whose main consultant or, rather, oracle in affairs not only of state but of the heart is his pet Poodles. And there are rival princes who take the line of most resistance by begging for their states to be invaded — on a commis ­ sion basis too, the commission being one quarter of the invaded state ’s revenue — so as to enable them to evade their responsibilities to their subjects. Bearers of ill tidings are made to swallow the pa ­ per bearing these and seem to thoroughly enjoy these repeated feastings. liiere are elephant chases, tiger hunts, gypsy caravans, palace alligators, the In ­ dian rope trick thrown in and, to add a touch of suspense, a stolen diamond, and of farce, a weighing-in-gold ceremony. The Prince to be thus weighed prior to his wedding is made to wear special accesso ­ ries so that he is several times heavier hits upon the ruse of stealing the they tend to be one-dimensional. But than normal. Frowning on all this and in Chashme-e-Noor diamond, second in no hurry to get married, the Prince is con ­ soled by his father, the Rajah: “As the then restoring it to its rightful owner, win- Grand Vazir says, it will cheer you out ning as reward permission to forfeit mar- of your depression. It will also keep riage and return to London, the peasants in control; prosperity breeds 1 Ml « I < i / <' 38 Parsiana February 1992 fr * a vii» - While smiling helped the average person’s appearance, it did nothing for him believe it or not, his father ’s pet Poodles, person ’s appearance, it did nothing for him. He could never forget the day he smiled in front of a mirror and frightened himself. His great big nose hung like a great big axe over two great grinding saws that were his teeth. Then and there, the Grand Vazir had decided to spend the rest of his life without smiling. But acci ­ dents do occur. ’’The Grand Vazir smiled, and Prince Vir turned away quickly... ” The sight of Prince Bhayankar “normally affected his prey in two ways. One, the hapless victims froze like rabbits caught in the glare of headlights, and meekly awaited their doom. Two, they responded as Prince Vir did, and urged their feet on to greater effort ” In this bizarre wtxld, even elopements take place in princely style: “To be fair to the I^ncess, this was the first time she had eloped, and she was not well versed in the subtleties of such an adventure. She wanted her entire wardrobe and every member of her royal retinue with her. She also insisted that all her four mothers be present at the wedding ceremony. The final compromise arrived at was four large wooden chests of the princess ’s clothes and personal effects, four maids in attendance and time enough for the run ­ away bride to bid farewell to her four mothers. ” Their exit, comments Irani, is “as secret as a blast of trumpets. ” Irani ’s narrative skill m^es up for the sometimes stilted dialogue and even for the characters who are so caricatured that 3 i i i then, they have a single purpose to serve, value only to the fabled Koh-i-Noor, and and they serve it well, carrying the narra ­ tive lightheartedly forward to its conven ­ ient end with Prince Vir returning to Lon ­ don, a bachelor still and eligible. All in The best-laid plans o ’ mice and men all, a delightful romp, at a laugh a page. i 1 IMILESTONES » Old .¦ This month Parsiana publishes the intercommunity marriages registered both at Old Customs House and at the MHADA of­ fice in Bandra (East) for the eight-month period of May to December 1991. Civil marriages between Zoroastrians have also been listed. However, names that could not be identified as Zoroastrian have been omitted from the list. According to the registers scarmed, one intercommunity marriage, registerdB in Bandra in March, has been reregistered at the Old Custom House in De­ cember. Parsiana carries the marriage again. There were five civil mar­ riages between Parsis as against 32 intercommunity marriages registered at Old Customs House and one civil marriage against 19 intercommunity mar­ riages registered at the MHADA office. In the case of marriages be­ tween Zoroastrians in Bombay, the brides ranged in age between 22 and 36 years, the arithmetic mean (the total number of indi­ vidual ages divided by the total number of brides) being 26 years. The corresponding fig­ ures for the grooms were 25 and 41 years, averaging at 29 years. As against 30 births in Janu­ ary recorded in these columns, there were 94 interments at doongerwadi. Twenty-nine Zo­ roastrians succumbed to heart disease, 12 of them being over the age of 80. Other killers in order of intensity were old age/ general debility (12); pneumo- nia/lung disease (11); brain di­ sease (10); diabetes (seven); can­ cer (five); hypertension and kid­ ney failure (three each); tubercu­ losis, dehydration, nervous disor­ der and septicemia (two each). Asthma, bronchitis, hypovo- lumic shock (sudden fall in blood supply), myasthenia gravis (marked fatiguability of volun­ tary muscles) and gastro-intesti­ nal obstruction claimed one vic­ tim each. The oldest to die were two 95-year-ol4 men; die young­ est, a youth aged 22. The data on births, marriages and deaths has been compiled from information supplied by various newsletters and anju- mans in India and abroad, courts and hospitals. This information is not always complete or consis­ tent. For example, the birth fig­ ures for Bombay are supplied by four hospitals; births in suburban hospitals and private nursing homes are not included unless individuals send us information together with a copy of the birth certificate. In the breakup of deaths according to illnesses, es­ pecially of the elderly, death is often due to a combination of several diseases. If readers have any births/ marriages/deaths they would like published, some proof to ensure the veracity of the report would be required. We are sure our readers would appreciate this requirement and cooperate with us. ALLAHABAD Died Sheruiz Homi Dandiwalla (30) on January 25, 1992 BOMBAY Born A boy, Aslush, to Zarine and Phiroze Taraporewala; November 20, 1991 A boy to Maharukh and Hoshang Katki; December 31 A girl to Kashmira and Sarosh Bala; January 2, 1992 A girl to Neeta and Kurush Irani; January 2 A boy to Farzaneh and Abadan Irani; January 3 A boy to Tehmi and Burzin Morris; January 3 A boy to Rukhande and Rohinton Italia; January 5 A girl to Roshan and Aspi Kasad; January 5 A boy to Ruzbeh and Daraius Mehta; January 5 A girl to Anahita and Faraz Joshi; January 6 A girl to Havovi and Farokh Patel; January 7 A boy to Firuza and Cyrus Amaria; January 9 A girl to Yamiin and Firdaush Laskari; January 10 A. girl, Shahrinaz, to Villoo and Mehernoz Maloo; January 10 A boy to Mahanaz and Naozar Bhomisha; January 12 A boy to Shirin and Hormaz Mehta; January 13 A boy to Vi/oo and Vispi Tumboli; JanMary 13 A boy to Rashna and Dinyar Rustomji; January 14 A boy to Dinaz and Mahiyar Balsara; January IS A boy to Kerban and Rayomand Hira; January 15 A girl to Aneeta and Sanjeev Malhotra; Janaary 21 A girl to Kashmira and Garsha^ Irani; Janaary 22 A girl to Teshnumaity and Jehangir Irani; January 22 A boy to Shirin and Bomi Engineer; January 24 A boy to Shanaz and Homyar Limbuvala; January 24 A boy to Feroza and Neville Bachana; January 25 A girl, Sara, to Navaz and Jehangir Daruvala, sister to Yazad; January 25 A boy to Shiraz and Mehernosh Mehta; January 25 A boy to Meherzin and Cyrus Turel; January 25 A boy to Hutoxi and Ruzbeh Bhagwagar; January 27 A girl to Jacqueline and Berzis Marolia; January 27 A girl, Nilufer, to Rashna and Khushroo Amroliwalla; January 29 Married Maniz Zend and Bhimra; May 19. 1991 Tanaz Keki Kotwal and V. Suresh; May 25 Tizia Minocher Mistri and Himanshu Kishore Sutaria-, May 26 Perviz Keki Khambatta and Sabyasachi Sunilkumar Banerjee; May 27 Minnie Premkumar Madan and Hormazd Keki Kotwal; May 21 Bakhtawar Sam Hilloo and Kartikay Saini; June 2 Soonu Homi Pavri and Kaiomarz Firoze Mistry; June 7 Shireen Adi Master and Kayomerd Eruch Cooper; June 20 Amrita Gopalkrishnan Nair and Sorab Darabsha Ghaswalla; July 4 Afrid Homi Bulsara and Farhad Jehanbux Bhadha; July 6 Kavita D. Jethwani and Burzin Jal Somandy; July 10 Zarin Guzder and Thomas Julius Miller; August 4 Shahnoor Jamshed Sumariwalla and Mehernosh Rustom Mehta; August 5 Jasnune Keki Dolasa and Dharmesh Kir it Mody; August 8 Rashida T. Vapiwala and RonrueJ. D'Souza; August 14 Hoofriz S. Mistry and Gyanendra Varma; August 14 Nargis Boman Khavar and Pradeqt Ajit Gidwani; August 21 Shashikala Ramchandra Jadhav and Marazaban Ardeshir Jafrabadwala; August 29 Agnes Cecelia Williams and Faredoon E. Billimoria; August 30 Mazarine Jimmy Bagwalla and Abdul Aziz Ibrahim Memon; September 1 Shireen R. Kermani and Vivek Narain Mathur; September 7 Neepa Viren Kapddia and Heinz Firoze Mirza; September 8 Sobeen Russi Doctor and PiroJ Maneck Elchidana; September 16 Cashnura Eruch Jhabwalla and Gewge Manoj John; September 19 Tanaaz Bejon Baldawala and Sanjay Gopal Keswani; September 20 Margaret Chang and Kersi Maneckshaw Vaid; September 25 Firuza Jal Shroff and Sunil Hasha Bada; September 26 Shakuntala S. Gamadia and Nadir Bhikhaji Karanjia; September 27 Rashida Taherbhai Burmawala and Astad Ardeshir Ravji; October 1 Yasmin Vasi and Ronald Netto; October 3 Sophia Andrade and Cyrus Sovak Kapadia; October 4 Farida Patel and T. J. Venkateshwaran; October 21 Zarine Lord and Sanjay Jasjit Singh; October 25 Priscilla Philomena Sequeira and Kersi S. Bamboat; Nov«nber 1 Savita P. Waghela and Neville Godrej Hathiram; November 11 Ruby M. Daruwalla and Iqbal SaleMtai Kaposi; November 11 Dipika Dasgupta and Rohinton Sorabji Kharwanwal'a; November 11 Adriane Bredemeyer and Dallas Tehmul Todywalla; I 39 Parsiana February 1992r November 16 Vera Burjor Mithaiwala and Lancelot Ronald Cardoz; November 20 Kermeen Phiroze Chhapkha- nawalla and Ashish Jayant Sonak; November 23 Shernaz R. Raina and Homiyar Tehmuras Bhumgara; November 24 Roshon Noshir Todiwalla and Arun Bakdcrishna Rtme; December 1 Meenaz Jed NagpurwaUa and Rossano S. P. fiereira; December 4 Daisy Edulji Paelshah of Navsari and Adi Behreun Sethna; December 7 Binaifer Fall Gordon and Prakash Shyamlal Devidasani; December 9 Pinky Ronny Mistry and Sanur Rolut Maniar, December 9 Zarin Dadi Sarkari and Predeash Chetan Mirchandeini; December 9 Debut Keki Golvala and Saiyeiy Reimesh Sanghavi; December 18 Shenaz Dinshaw Patel of California and AspiFaredoon Bharucha; December 20 Armin Fardoon Mehta and Marzban Rustemji Bilbnoria; December 21 Meiharukh Ardeshir Teireiporwalla and Reimakrishruin R.; December 22 Judith Shirley Fernandes and Farad Darayus Bhathena; December 23 Ashish Noshir Kerrrumi and Zubin PilleM Jeiorewalla; December 23 Shirea Deira Bhesania and Adil Ratanshaw Kandetwalla; December 24 Kerman Jed Hemsotia and Nitin Murlidhetr Nadkarni; December 24 Goolrukh Minetcheher Detmania and Atul Anand; December 26 Khurshid Boman Mistry and Pervez Neidirshenv Bhesania; December 26 Kermeen Bomanjee and Ardhendu Bose; December 27 Soonnu Dadi Bharucha and Dinshaw Jeimshed Katrak; December 27 Nisha Yetshvant Mukatiwala and Zubin KotwaJ, December 27 Dolores D'Silva and Hemyeir Deidiba Malesra; December 27 Sweirein Keinta Kapewr and Hoshi M. Tavaria; December 27 Dipa Reimeshchanelra Shah arxi Minocher Eddi Darukhemawalla; December 28 Shirea Deira Mehta and Rohinton DaliTeimpal; December 28 Jeismine Gustetdji Shroff and Detretyus Seim Mistry; December 29 Temveer Teih& Nedahvalla and Zubin Russi Bedaporia; December 30 PaurUchisty Deirayus Bedty and Zarir Fareimroze Vend of Valsad; January 1, 1992 Ashreff Gushtasb Bastani- Alleihabadi of Poona and Farokh Jemshid Fabihati of London; January 3 Dhim Geidrej Illeiva and Behr am Edulji Paleimkote; January 3 Dilnavaz Minoo Bilimoria and Vbteisp Ceiveisji Mehta; January 5 Keishmira Rusi Choksy and Jimmy Beirjor Geineihi; January 6 Mithra Esfeindieir Ateishbeind of Hyderabad and Behreim Freimrdze Kerenvalla; January 7 Berose Pervez Mbtry and Firoze Adil Mbtry; January 10 Sheirmin Minext Peitel and Khushreio Burjeir Moudetwalla; January 10 Beroze Hemii Teireiporewalla of Navsari and Behreim Minoo Veikheiria; January 10 Aneihita Meirzbem Umrigeir and Firoze Jeheingir Mondegari; January 11 Rashna Neishir Bheindeira and Camaji Feirrokh Ceima; January 12 Jeroo Shiaveix Chaveia and Noshir Russi Kheimbeitta; January 13 Meiheiroukh Jeheingir Babeira and Homi Dara Dexteir; January 14 Pemreiein Farrokh Ceima and Jamshed Jed Bunshah; January 15 Villeio Keki Kanga and Khusru Shiavux Mistry; January 15 Perlene Nozer Daroga and Rustem Bomem Ireiru; January 16 Keishrrura Hoshang Mohta and Mehernosh Firoze Kalweich- wala; January 18 Roxana Homi Kaka and Aspi Adi Mirza; January 18 Arnaz Homi Mehta and Cyrus Firoze Panthaki; Jamiaiy 18. Pervin Burjor Bharucha and Khushroo Kali Wadia; January 19 Hutoxy Fall Jokhi and Percy Kaikhushroo Dover; January 21 Mehar Dara Wadia and Tehmasp Homi Pardch; January 21 Parizad Edul Punegar and Kozd/ Jehanbux Pesuna; January 23 Zarin Rustam Karatyia and Bomi Firoz Daruwala of New Delhi; January 24 Jasmine Jehangir Irani and Yezdi Homi Sarkari; January 26 Persis Pesi Udwadia and Firdosh Adar Sidhwa; January Pervin Dali Dastur and Shahrukh Sirus Irani; January 28 Rukhsar Jal Bhagat of Surat and Vispj Darab Mistry; January 28 Rashne Soli Dadyburjor and Mahiyar Dadi Panthaki; January 28 Feruza Phirozshaw Kamdin of Ahmedabad and Kezdt Phiroz Elavia of Rojpipla; January 30 Died Hilla Rustemji Pantlay (70), residing at 4/4, 24, Hughes Rd, 400007; December 31, 1991 Najeimai Hormeisji Bheirucha (90), E/5, Nowroz Bag, Lalbaug, 400012; January 1, 1992 Homi Jehetngirji Deimarua (68), Union Bldg, S4, Sleater Rd, 400007; January 1 Cavas Nesserwanji Babara (65), 41, Shandilya Villa, Worli Sea Face, 400025; January 2 Piroz Netwetroji Bheirucha (56), X-40/10, Godrej (Jrs, Vikhroli (E), 400079; January 2 Goolbed Nariman Bhiwemdiwalla (86), E, Bhiwandiwalla Terr, Dhobitalao, 400002; January 2 Keiti Bijou Nadirshaw (75), Wimbridge Hse, 20/D, N. Bharucha Rd, 400007; January 2 Soli Caweisji Seirkari (80), Nasserwanji Bldg, 157, Alibhai Premji Rd, Grant Rd, 400007; January 2 Ezem Neishir Billimoria (22), Piroja Mans, Sir Ratan Tata Rd, Tardeo, 4(X)034; January 3 Alemai Burjorji Bubeira (86), Crasto Bldg, 294, Dr Cawasji Hormusji St, 400002; January 3 Bethadur Jeheingirji Bubeira (58), 276, Princess St, 400002; January 3 Edi Plurenshaw Dheirweir (76), 86, Devchhaya, Near Haji Ali, Tardeo Rd. 400034; January 3 Seim MunchershtM RaneieUa (69), E/7, Jct Baug, Dr Am- be^ar Rd, Byculla, 400027; January 3 Khorshedbemeio Jalejeir Writer (90), Hormaz Baug, Kashinath St, 400034; January 3 Shirinbai Areieshir DeXiwalla (88), A/4, Fair Field, Rama­ krishna Mission Rd, Santacruz, 400054; January 4 Jed Phirojshenv Bheseirda (85), L.I.C. Bldg, 327, Frere Rd, Fort, 400001; January 5 Bomansheiw Ruttonshenv Tetledi (78), 16, Dubash Bldg, Gamadia Clny, Tardeo, 400(X)7; January 5 EFuch Peshotan Deisteior (86), Sunbeam, S. V. Rd, Jogeshwari (W), 400102; January 6 Boman Vafeuleir Ireiru (40), Mohanlal Mehta Market, Grant Rd, 400007; January 6 Jehemgir Sherieir Irani (44), 401/B, Dilip Apts, Gunpowder Rd, Mazgaon, 40()010; January 6 Edidji Fetrdewnji Modem (82), 668, Desai Bldg, Katrak Rd, Wadala, 400031; January 6 Jimmy Behram Medegeim (68), 43, Photographer’s Lodge, Rest Camp Rd, Deolali, 422401; January 6 Nowroz Sorabji Panthaky (85), 81, Kapadia Hse, Trinity St, Dhobitalao, 400002; January 6 Dolly Hemi Metrker (70), Soonaiji Ter, Gowalia Tank Rd, 400036; January 7 Noshir Pirojsheth Peitel (64), Ready Money Bldg, 786, Khareghat Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; January 7 *1 40 Parsiana February 1992Kaiki Edulji Dubash (82), B, Yusuf Mans, Khetwadi Back Rd, 40(XX)4; January 8 Jal Jehangir Khodaeji (79), 27, Station Ter, Sleatcr Rd, 4(XXX)7; January 8 Nergis Keki Mogal (67), 271/A, Shanti Sagar Annexe, Carter Rd, Bandra, 40(X)50; January 8 Burjor Kaikobad Mory (55), A/5, Hlava Bldg, Mori Rd, Mahim, 4(XX)16; January 8 Jerbanoo Cawasji Patel (Poonjiajee) (85), Rustom Mans, Piroja Minoo Press (77), 562, Lady Jehangir Rd, Matunga, 4(XX)19; January 8 Khurshed Beharamsor Anklesaria (74), 153, Jaswanti Niwas, Mody St, Fort, 4(XXX)1; January 10 Maneckji Jehangirji Contractor (88), 5/C, Meherzin, Wodehouse Rd, Colaba, 400005; January 10 Dhanbai Nawroji Daruwala (62), 5/153, Vijay Ngr, MHB Bandra (E), 400051; January 10 Soli Framroze Engineer (72), 20, H-Palazzo, Little Gibbs Rd, Malabar Hill, 400006; January 10 Bomi Rustomji Zaiwala (54), 5/19, Panthaki Baug, Andheri (E;, 400069; January 10 Rustom Hormusji Irani (67), Room no 15, 189, Hirabai Petit Bldg, Opp Grant Rd Stn, 40(XX)7; January 11 Piroja (Pillamai) Minocher Mehta (75), 171, Baj Bldg, Khetwadi Back Rd, 400004; January 11 Goolbai Rustonyi Mistry (85), T/6, Cusrow Baug, S. B. Rd, 40(X)39; January 11 146/B, Patel Bldg, Lower Parel, 400013; January 11 Khorshed Rustom Balsara (80), 158/D, Hill-View, Hill Rd, Bandra, 4(XX)S0; January 12 Khurshid Soli Bamji (66), Minerva Mans, Near Super Cinema, Grant Rd, 4(XX)07; January 13 Sorab Byramji Bharda (88), B/1, White Rose, 4, Perry Rd, Bandra, 400050; January 13 Ardeshir Kavasji Desai (14), 1402, Mazagaon Towers, Mathar Pakhady Rd, Mazgaon, 4(X)010; January 13 Banoo Dinshaw Mistri (84), do Ms A. R. Poonegar, 51, Rubaik, 14th Rd, Khar, 40(X)52; Janu^ 13 Jeroo Burjorji Umrigar (70), Hormuz Bldg, Sussex Rd, Victoria Garden, 400027;" January 13 Manie Noshir Wadia (79), Hormaz Bldg, Sleater Rd, 400007; January 13 Phiroze Dinshaw Konkrawala (64), 11, M. Sheth Bldg, 262, Tardeo Rd, 400007; January 14 Dinbai Honu Shroff (87), Sanjana Bldg, Forjett Hill Rd, 4(XX)36; January 14 Soli Meherjibhai Karva (68), Pateti Block, 610, Jame-Jamshed Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; January 15 Navajbai Navroji Bhathena (76), Room no 14, X/107, Pirojshaw Ngr, Vikhroli, 400079; January 16 Tehmina Phirozehaw Dubash (90), E/39, Cusrow Baug, S. B. Rd, 400039; January 16 Allen (Aloo) Naoroji Gandhi (72), Avabai Mans, 788, Jame-Jamshed Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; January 16 Homi Shavaksha Kepadia (68), 9, Oscar Apt, 17th Rd, Khar, 400052; January 16 Daulat Kaikhashru Shroff (77), 46, Dinbai Sethna Bldg, Sleater Rd, 40(XX)7; January 16 Sheroo Rustomji Tavadia (66), Goolbai Sorabji Chinoy Home, 692, E>r Dinshaw Master Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; January 16 Thrity Ardeshir Variava (82), Boman Hse, Homji St, Fort, Bombay 400001; January 16 Dhuryishaw Rustomji Banaji (73), D/35, Station Ter, Sleater Rd, 400007; January 17 Dina Rustomji Bilimoria (74), New Mistry Bldg (Dina Mans), Balaram St, Grant Rd, 4(XXX)7; January 17 Dhuryishah Dorabji Dastoor (67), C/2 Petit Block, Avabai Petit St, Balaram St, 400007; January 17 Aloobiu Behramji Vakharia (77), 26, Maison Belvedere, 107, (peen’s Rd, 400020; January 17 Shera Nariman Cooper (78), 680, Corn^ View, Katr^ Rd, Opp Wadala Market, 400031; January 18 Rotary Screw Air Compressors Crawlairs and Blasthole Drills Water Well Drills J 11 T I Portable Compressors B D ¦ Process Gas Compressors I Air and Gas Compressors • Construction & Mining Equipment INGERSOLL-RAND i Ingersoll-Rand (India) Ltd., Maybaker House, S-K. AhireMarg, Bombay 400 025 IR.191J8 41 Parsiana February T992 IErach Edidji Mehta (94), AJi, Mehta Bldg, Captain Clny, Tardeo, 400034; January 19 Maneck Nariman Mogrelia (56), 209, P. D’Mello Rd, Fort, 400001; January 19 Jehangir Dhunjishaw Banker (90), 614, Girgaon Rd, 40()002; January 20 Goolbanoo Manekshaw Gandhi (92), R, Dalal Est, Bombay Central, 400008; January 20 Goolbai Minocher Jyotwalla (80), Moosa Manzil, N. Petit St, Grant Rd, 400007; January 20 t Homi Pirojshaw Marfiuia (79), 139, Bora Bazar St, Fort, 400001; January 20 Rati Jal Bapasola (83), Breach Candy Hse, Breach Candy, Warden Rd, 400036; January 21 Jer Homi Katrak (76), Bina Apts, Andheri (E), 400069; January 21 Pavesh Firoz Mehta (59), Room no 11, Prema Ashram, Haryali Village, Vikhroli, 400079; January 21 Piroja Jamshed Wadia (91), 3, Jer Mans, Off Turner Rd, Bandr^ 400050; January 21 Peloo Boman Bugwadia (86), D/1, Rustom Baug, Victoria Rd, Byculla, 400027; January 22 Nariman Ardeshir Lalkaka (95), B/17, Zaver Mhl, Marine Drive, 400020; January 22 Jehan Ardeshir Tamboowala (68), Mon Repos, 637, M. Joshi Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; January 22 Ratti Keki Mody (72), B, Yusuf Mans, Khetwadi Back Rd, 400004; January 23 Aloo Rushtamji Pavri (72), H/15, S. B. Bharucha Baug, Andheri (W), 400058; January 23 Darabshah Cooverji Soparivala (83), A-4/37, Mehta Block, New Khareghat Clny, 34, Hughes Rd, 400007; January 23 Najamai Nadirshaw PrirUer (96), 7, Ketty Ter, Sleater Rd, 40()()07; January 24 H^rmusji Nanabhai Bamboat (80), 213, Enterprise Apts, Forjetl Hill Rd, 400036; January 25 Arnavaz (Alice) Maneckshaw Cooper (90), Gcmfrina, 630, Khareghat Rd, Parsi Clny, husband of Jolly and father of Nowzer and Dilbur Pradeep Vora; December 10 Baby girl of Mr and Mrs Pervez Kaikobad (9 hrs); December 14 Keki Rustomji Bulsara, husband of Dolly and father of Dinaz and Khurshed; December 24 Khorshed Narielvala, wife of Pesi and mother of Pervin Phiroze Tarapore; December 31 Dadar, 400014; January 25 Pirojsha Dadabhoy Gazdar (77), 7/2, Rustom Baug, Victoria Rd, Byculla, 400027; January 25 Kaikhushroo Dinshaji Randeria (89), 12, Petit Parsee Sanatorium, Cumballa Hill, 400026; Jaiiuary 25 Ardeshir Eruchshaw Unwalla (73), C/11, Rustom Baug, Victoria Rd, Byculla. 400027; January 25 Banidj^ai Pirojshaw Boocha (87), 8, Daruwalla Bldg, TaU Blocks, Bandra, 400050; January 26 Rusi Jal Diventry (54), 12, Lentin Bldg, Gamadia Clny, Tardeo, 400007; January 26 Horru Bejonji Dover (63), L/10, Dalal Est, Lamington Rd, 4(XX)08; January 27 Jehangir Ardeshir Khambatta (86), 1, Baria Bldg, Gamadia Clny, Tardeo, 400007; January 27 Dina Kawas Patel (70), 286/C, Phiroz Irani Chawl, Shopari Baug, Parel, 400012; January 27 Jehanbux Faramroze Anklesaria (70), Dhandadina Bldg, Jehangir Daji St, Grant Rd, 400007; January 28 Roda Faramroze Banker (80), 3, Sir J. J. Bldg, Chikalwadi, Tardeo, 400007; January 28 Banoobai Framroze Gt^la (94), 5, Kashinath Bldg, Kashinath St, Tardeo, 400034; January 28 Sheriar Dinshaji Anklesaria (67), A-2/21, New Khareghat Clny, 34, Hughes Rd, 400007; January 29 Boman Rustomji Bhandara (81), 27/A, Anand Ngr Hsg Soc. Mahim, 400016; January 29 Kuverji Barjorji Bhathena (95), 146/B, Patel Bldg, N. M. Joshi Marg, Lower Parel, 400013; January 30 Manijeh Godrej Mugasheth (77), (67), Par Mohallo, Nanpura, 116, Monalisa. St John Baptisu Rd, Bandra (W), 400050; January 30 KHARAGPUR, West Bengal Died Soli Rustomji Kavarana, husband of Kuma and father of Dinyar and Deenaz Viraf Mirzan; December 23 SECUNDERABAD Born A girl, Farah, to Mr and Mrs Sam BhagiU', Aag\jst 20 A girl, Farah, to Mr and Mrs Neville Wadia', September 18 Married Maya Adi Arya and Lim Homi Banaji', November 24 Died Dina Fall Dittia (65); October 4 Burjor R. Mehta October 15 Sohrabji Rustomji Karaka (i'ij-, November 3 Sohrabji Framroze Mahwa {Tiy, November 8 Sheramai S. Italia (11}; December 30 Dhunmai K. Boi (92); December 30 CALCUTTA Married Rukshana Bilimoria and Homy ar Gardin of Jamshedpur; Decem­ ber 28,1991 Died 11 omi Behramshaw Medhora, (71); October 7 Rustom Kaikobad Kakalia (85); October 12 Jerbai Byramji Kotwal (94); October 12 Mehra Sheryar Bhadha (79); October 14 Jerbanu J. Bajina of Bombay (80); October 15 Thrity Noshirwan Mistry (64); October 20 Rustom K. Limboowala of Bombay (83); November 22 MUSCAT Bom A boy, Zubin, to Dinaz and Firoze Vandrewalla; July 4 ONTARIO Bora A girl, Nadia, to Shahrzad and Sorab Irani', September 5 Married Khorshed Balsara, daughter of Moti and Russi and Darin Tooth, son of Shirty and Clifford; October 19 SEATTLE Died Nariman Nawroji Guzdar of Calcutta, husband of Perin; and father of Rohinton, Pervez and Yezdi; December 17 SYDNEY, Australia Bora A girl, Simoneil, to Lalerookh and Jimmy Sarbh', December 9 TANAGAL, Nepal Died Jehan Hoshanji Contractor, husban^pf Dhan and father of Pasmiana, Yasmine and Hosi; December 26 SURAT Died Dinamai Pirojshaw Patel (81), MohU Mohallo, Rustompura, 395002; January 13, 1992 Cooverbai Blukhaji Elavia (80), Gam Illav, Via Kim, Dist Bharuch, 392001; CORRECTION January 23 A girl, Benaisha, was bom to Ketybahen Dinshawji Daruwalla Veera and Rohirtion Mehta on November 22, 1991. It was mistakenly printed as twins (girls) in Parsiana, December, 1991. The enor is regretted. 395001; January 27 CHICAGO Died Roshen Umrigar', November 26, 1991 KARACHI Died Coomi Rustom Khursigara (59); October 4 Nusserwanji Hormusji Mislry TOTALS (for this Issue) Born: Boys 20, Girls 17 Married: Parsi 48 Intercommunal 52 Died: 121 Compiled by Roxana A. Mirza ( 42 Parsiana February 1992L ? .1 IN MEMORIAM Not since the murder of John Lennon has the passing of a rock musician aroused such extravagant exp-essions of popular grief, ” states The Sunday Times, London, which reports that scores of taxis switched off their ‘For Hire ’ lights as they drove past the home of Farokh Balsara whom the world knew as Freddie Mer ­ cury. Floral tributes at his funeral, con ­ ducted according to Zoroastrian rites, were estimated to ^1 five hearses. Trib ­ utes poured in from all parts of the world including, among others, from Boy George, David Bowie, Elton John, Phil Collins and the Spanish opera singer Monserrat Caballe who is dedicating a song to him in her new album. Present at the West London Crematorium, Harrow Road, were the parents and family mem­ bers of the flamboyant 45-year-old lead singer of the pop music group Queen, two Zoroastrian priests and his fellow musi ­ cians, Roger Taylor, Brian May and John Deacon. / Bom in Zanzibar where his fa- ther worked as the head clerk of /fl the British Court, Freddie ’s mer- curial rise to fame started when he joined a group called Wreck- age in 1971 and renamed it Queen, Recalls fellow musi- cian May: “Even though he was penniless, Freddie always looked like a star and acted like a star. ” Accwding to re- ports, the group got its first big break in 1973 when it was asked to fill in for David Bowie on the popular TV program Top of the Pops. In 1975 Freddie gave the group its greatest hit with Bohemian Rht^>sody, sl six- minute opus laced with operatic movements which reportedly took ' three weeks to record and featured 180 voices. Its stint as number one on the British popularity charts was longer than any other song in 18 years. The same song created another record 16 years later when it shot to number one on its re-re ­ lease after Mercury ’s death on November 24, 1991. According to a rep«t in The Times of India: “Elvis Presley, John Len ­ non, Buddy Holly and Jim Reeves had posthumous number one hits, but not with previous chart-tqjpers. ” Bohemian Rhapsody also launched Mercury^ moment of truth Gustasp Irani Even when he was penniless, Freddie always acted like a star ” (( what was to become music video when the ^ng was picturised in order to spare the band the ordeal of performing it on TV during its extended stay on Top of the Pops. Ten years later, in 1985, in 17 minutes, the Queen hijacked a world TV audience at the Live Aid concert. “Other artistes shambled on and did what they could. Queen rehearsed solidly f(x two weeks and did their theatrical best, ” states The Sunday Times. According to Bob Geldof who organized the concot to aid the fam ­ ine stricken people of Ethiopia: “They were absolutely the best band on the day. They got the idea of playing for 17 min ­ utes perfectly. They had the best sound, they played the best and it was the perfect stage for Freddie. He could prance about in front of the whole world. ” The Queen are reported to have sold over 100 million records in 20 years and Mercury ’s assdts at the time of his K death at his four million dollar man- \ sion at Kensington are estimated at $ 58 millicHi. Music aside. Mercury earned notoriety for the wild costume parties he hosted. At one, a naked person popped out of a dish of raw liver served to the gath^ng. Guests to these par ­ ties came expecting to be greeted with the unexpected: dwarfs, stripp^, and, on one occasion, waiters with only body paint. These parties were the ^owcase for Mercury ’s outrageous lifestyle. An avow ­ ed bisexual, he is repoied to have had a string of lovers — male and fanale. But for all his public flamboy- ance. Mercury remained a private person who, according to reports, never gave a prq)er interview. The only person he was reportedly close to was 3^ year-old Mary Austin who remained by his side even after their romance ended in 1977. And for all the time the ^x>tlight shone on him on and offstage, Mocury ’s past was shrouded in darkness; he did not even acknowledge his roots. His uncle (mother ’s brother) Nariman Khory, a Bombay based industrial rela ­ tions consultant, defends his nephew: “Rightly or wrongly, he believed diat to 43 Parsiana February 1992 I t Ir succeed as a pop singer it was okay to be of him till his pictures started appearing in quip, a stiff upper lip. And brave enough black but not brown. So he did not ad- the Press. to suffer in silence rather than salve his vertise his Indian origin. ” Khory recalls Dinshaw Kapadia, Mercury ’s cousin soul with mass media mercy. This is one what was probably Mercury ’s first public and a lawyer residing at Dadar Parsi Queen, God will save, ” writes Julie performance as a child. The family had Colony, states that Mercury would spend Burchill in the Daily Mail, London. In *¦ ’-.L-L-- T, J- ------ same paper, John Junor protests: “Heroism? What was heroic about Mer- the Press. Dinshaw Kapadia, Mercury ’s cousin gone for dinner to Bertorelli Restaurant at his holidays with them. Kapadia remem- Worli and the live band had struck up How Much is that Doggie in the Window. Seeing Mercury humming along, one* of attributes despite the wild image he homosexuality, his sleazy procession of the band members invited him to join flaunted to the public. one night stands? ” them. While other kids might have This concern surfaced briefly before Back in Bombay too, controversy cringed. Mercury got up on stage the end when Mercury, suffering plagued him. Relatives had arranged for and sang. “After the song, he was all from broncho-pneumonia, revealed to the flushed and shy but while he was singing Press that he was afflicted by AIDS. In you could see that he had a stage presence his disclosure he stated: “I felt it correct to even at that age, ” says Khory. This keep this information private to date in one flash of bravado aside, Khory remem- < . . . bers his nephew as a shy boy who around me... The time has now come was ’ teeth stuck out of his mouth very promi ­ nently. Buck tooth. That ’s what they called him at St Peter ’s High School, Panch- gani, where he studied as a boarder or so says Mohammadi Dholkawala, his class ­ mate and presently proprietor of Garden Hotel at the hill station. According to Dholkawala, Mercury was a quiet studi ­ ous boy who topped the class till the of the disease. Several newspapers ran eighth standard. In the ninth, he and some editorials and letters praising and damn- year he failed. That was the last they saw bers him as a very reserved and caring boy and believes that he retained these cury ’s squalid, wildly promiscuous This concern surfaced briefly before his after-death prayers at the R. N. Rus- tomframna Agiary at th e Dadar Parsi Col ­ ony. But a few days later, the Agiary trustees, in a letter to The Afternoon Des- order to protect the privacy of those patch and Courier, stated that they had ”¦ ¦ ¦ ; stopped all prayers as they were “misin- very aware of the fact that his front for my friends and fans around the world formed by the relatives that he (Mercury) . _/¦ !_•---------v - ¦ jQ know the truth and I hope that every- was a Parsi. ” Mercury ’s uncle Khory ob- one will join with me, my doctors and serves; “He may not have worn a sudreh all those worldwide in the fight against or kusti, but how many Parsis settled this terrible disease. ” The next day he abroad do? The point is he did not con- died. In death, as in life. Mercury was in ­ volved in controversy. Ms Virginia Bot- tomley, Britain ’s health minister, among death, the paradox of Mercury was that others, hailed his heroism in his handling his life centered around harmony — his music. Mercury is survived by his parents Jer- other boys formed a beat group and that ing him. “More than anything Freddie bantx) and Bomi Balsara, and sister Ka- Mercury belonged to Britain; a wink, a shmira. vert to any other religion. He was always a Zoroastrian. ” Embroiled in disharmony in life and J “THINGS FALL INTO PLACE” worldwide...People came together, caring. “Religion teaches you to look up > continued from page 30 rubbed shoulders. There was a feeling of to (and after) your elders. People used to of the Dadar Parsi Colony and the institu- camaraderie...but the high hopes I had really take care of parents and gr^dpar- tion of the Ava Yazad parab functions — ' " ” ” * * * each an c^ssay in creating community con ­ sciousness — avers M(xii. — ------------------------------------- ----------------------------- Escalating costs have rung down the happen. ” Modi was referring to the idea statements reflected Mtxii ’s fond memory curtain on the ghambars “because (we) of fexming the Inter-Regional Zoroas- of her happy relationship with her par- haven ’t the finance if something goes ~ • • • - haywire ” and donations are declined be ­ cause there are “lots of people with un- maintain liaison with Zexoastrian ass(x:ia- ill in ho^ital. charitable minds. ” Besides, the Munici- tions worldwide, build and maintain in- Mrxii also helped the Youths ’ Own pality now charges Rs 10,(XX) per day for formation on Zoroastrian demography. Union (YOU) at the-time of some of their the use of the Parsi Gymkhana grounds migration patterns, etc. T.artJe..iQriv th*. nf even when the Gymkhana levies no charge. “It wouldn ’t be possible (to pay) without pricing tickets at Rs 300-400” in contrast to Rs 20-25 in the earlier years. But the ghambars showcased Modi ’s e.g. standardization of religious educa- ability to organize on a large scale and the tion. ” BPP roped her in twice as secretary of the World Zoroastrian Congress. Underta- ledge reflected in the day-to-day prob- king the secretarial work for all the com- lems of living — in the lack of truthful- came (towards the end of the Fifth World ents ” adds Modi, contrasting it to the cur- Zoroastrian Congress) that something rent state of affairs when people have no more concrete would come of it, didn ’t time to bother about such things. Chance trian Congress Council (IRZCC) with ents-in-law. The interview with Parsiana permanent headquarters in Bombay to was deferred while an aunt lay terminally maintain liaison with Zexoastrian associa ­ tions worldwide, build and maintain in- “What I envis- functions, particularly the navjotes of aged was a body like a world federation poor rural children that they us^ to ot- - not a competitor to the WZO — with all ganize. These too have become a mem­ associations joining hands to do what the ory for, as Modi asks, “Where are the community required on a worldwide basis children? ” The aging of the community is evident in the functions Modi organ ­ izes: her helpers are almost all in their late middle age or beyond. Says Modi, “I have no access to the youth now. ” Despite these institutional allegiances mit^s along with joint secretary Ms ness (“The majority of the applications Modi has maintained grace and a deco- Gool Tata, Modi ’s main concerns were - - • - • • ¦ ¦ > ’ - the organizing of the evening functions, especially provision for catering, enter ­ tainment, etc. Modi feels that the Con- . _ grosses achieved, albeit for a short while, don ’t want to put things into the commu- themselves — ready for one thing and not “a oneness with the community nity pot ”), the diminution of a sense of for another... ” Modi sees the lack of religious know- 44 Parsiana February 1992 ihe for housing (to not give the correct rous charm, working desperately against data ”), the deterioration of the commu- deadlines, smiling through her firustra- nity ’s fabled work ethic (“Honest hard tions. In her own words, “All human labor is unfortunately not there; people beings have a state of development within don ’t want to put things into the commu-