Parsiana’s 40th

When I saw the cover of the November 2003 issue of Parsiana I was a bit puzzled as to what it signified. Then, I turned to the Contents page and found that the figure 40 on the cover reflects Parsiana’s 40th anniversary. Who designed the cover? Aren’t the seven colors on the cover those found in a rainbow?

I remember when Parsiana was foun­ded in 1964, by Dr Pestonji Warden, it used to be a prosaic magazine. Slowly, it has metamorphosed and has become what it is today. Congratulations Parsiana for completing 40 years of useful existence.

Coming to the present issue under review, I would like to offer the following comments/observations: Thanks to the generosity of NarYman Dubash, who sponsored the current issue, Parsiana was able to provide a rich fare.

Though in Editorial Viewpoint, Parsiana has acknowledged that because of constraints of time and resources, many deserving events and individuals, both in India and abroad are left out, it was a revelation to me when I read that Sir Dhanjishah Bomanji Cooper, who was engaged in multifarious activities, became the first Parsi Prime Minister of the then Bombay Presidency in 1937. Parsiana has given wide coverage to our community’s young boys and girls at various levels and it is refreshing to know the minds of this young band on our religion, our community and what should be done or what should be avoided to keep the community alive and ticking.

Unfortunately a few prominent members of our community have left this world, during the last decade, viz, J. R. D. Tata, Nani A. Palkhivala, Air Marshal Aspi Engineer and Dastur Kaikobad Dastoor. The decade also witnessed gruesome murders of a few lonely Parsi senior citizens.

Now, onto the golden jubilee of Parsiana.

BHIKHAJI M. ADENWALLA

The Editor replies

The cover was designed by Mini Boatwala who has been honorarily assisting Parsiana over the past decades. Boatwala’s relationship with Parsiana began in 1973, the oldest amongst all those connected with the magazine after it changed hands from Dr Pestonji Warden to the present management. As art director for the Life Insurance Corporation of India, Boatwala assisted and guided the magazine on design, printing and even editorial content! A keen eye and a sharp tongue ensured that no compromise on quality would be accepted. A self taught designer who never attended a conventional school — art or otherwise, Boatwala’s family came from Porbunder to Bombay and started life from scratch in the city.

There are no words to sufficiently express Parsiana’s gratitude to her for all the services rendered, for her willingness to share her knowledge with untested neophytes. If Parsiana has won acclaim, it is largely due to her efforts. She truly represents the Zoroastrian trilogy of good thoughts, good words and good deeds.

Creator and the created

Recently, there have been a spate of Zoroastrian artefacts of glass and marble (I have one of glass) that have hit the market. Very beautiful, artistic. A credit to the pioneering spirit of its young manufacturers. But will it not lead slowly yet surely to idol worship by a community that is totally free of idol worship till date?

The warmth and glow of a wood-fire or diva will be replaced by artefacts of glass and marble. Our fire is the chosen symbol of Him, whom we worship. We do not worship fire. "The enlightened are never idolaters” and we are enlightened. Is it not so?

SOONU JAL

Neemuch

Zubin Wadia of Mazda Glass replies

My products are more like show pieces and I don’t tell my customers to worship or offer flowers, etc to it. There are others too who view this as promoting idol worship and finally land up buying one or more of my artefacts. This question should have been raised hundreds of years ago. At our atash behrams and agiaries there are huge paintings of our Prophet Zarathushtra. When you touch or kiss the painting of Zarathushtra, I guess that’s idol worship too. At the Wadia Atas Bahram at Marine Lines there is a silver plated statue of Zara­thushtra (two feet tall) between the two keblas.

The question remains — Is there any article or a write-up in any book where it’s specifically mentioned that idol worship is not allowed in our religion?