Cultural cohesive

"The desire to hear lilting old Parsi melodies seems firmly embedded in the Parsi ethos,” writes Dhun Fram Billimoria, committee member of the Parsi Zoroastrian Association (PZA) of Calcutta giving an account of the musical program they organized at the Mehta Atash Adaran hall on December 30, 2001.

Gujarati music generates the spirit of Parsipanu and evokes religio-cultural sentiments that bring the community together, remarked president Adi Rabadi. Guest artiste Jamshed Kotwal from Bombay who had come to regale the audience with songs from his first musi­cal album Ame Parsi, Ame Great referred to his life’s work interspersed with humorous anecdotes. He then rendered a series of inspiring religious songs including one which was not in the album, Minoi thi geti maa aavi, amaari din Zarthosti which were highly appreciated. But the ones which were an instant hit were the humorous songs Daddy, Daddy, Ghoro Karao, Oh Dear Mumbai, My Dear Mumbai and the evergreen Ame Parsi, Ame Great. In deference to audience requests he also sang a few Hindi film songs.

To show their appreciation the PZA presented a silver salver and a bouquet of flowers to Kotwal as joint honorary secretary Dinsha Surti read the vote of thanks.

The popular Chhaiyé Hamé Zarathosti sung with zest by all present in the hall reinforced that songs are a strong link that bind the culture, customs and religion of the community. The sumptuous dinner catered by Ervad Soli R. Kotwal brought to an end a memorable evening.