The signal serial

To commemorate the telecast of 75 episodes of the pioneering teleserial Humata, Hukhta, Hvarshta which has been on air since 1999, its makers Frohar Foundation held a special function on January 9, 2004 to express their appreciation to all the people who had contributed to the success of the serial. The program at the National Gallery of Modern Art auditorium (the erstwhile Cowasjee Jehangir Hall), began with a hambandagi followed by the title song, running through all the episodes,rendered in Raag Kedar by Jaloo Bhesania and Kersi Mistry who also penned the lyrics, notes a write-up on the function.

The first set of mementoes specially created by Frohar Foundation were presented to the high priests and trustees of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) who had delivered religious talks or been interviewed on Humata, Hukhta, Hvarshta. "It is very important for the youth of our community to be convinced of the greatness of the oldest religion of the universe,” commented chief guest Dastur Meherji Meherjirana. His guidance and religious motivation is always appreciated, mentioned Maneck Dastoor when introducing the chief guest who is the 16th successor of the first Meherji Rana who was invited to the court of King Akbar. Being a religious scholar and follower of the Ilm-e-Khshnoom, he is the author of a number of religious books and is actively involved in social service through different organizations in Navsari.

Saluting the serial (top left) Engineer and C. Dastoor; (above) K. Dastoor and Silloo Mahava. (Left) Meherjirana, Guzder and Meherbanoo Meherjirana

The making of Humata Hukhta Hvarshta was then explained by Zarine Commissariat who described how the serial was conceptualized, took concrete shape and evolved, how despite paucity of funds the director, Ervad Cyrus Dastoor, continued his mission. Commending Dastoor as the executive and creative director of Frohar Films, BPP trustee Dadi Engineer mentioned that he deserved all encouragement and support for keeping alive the Zoroastrian culture and presented him with a further donation of Rs 10,000. The highlights of episodes 53 to 75 were then shown to the audience. A souvenir specially brought out on the occasion was next released by Jamshed Guzder.

All the youths who had made their presence felt on the episodes were then felicitated with mementoes presented by Dastur Khurshed Dastoor of Udvada.

After Cyrus Dastoor thanked his entire team of technical and office staff who had contributed to the success of the teleserial which is telecast on Saturdays at 5 p.m. on Alpha TV Gujarati — Zee Network, Commissariat thanked the stalwarts of the community and leading community institutions, the anchors and contributors, advertisers, donors and Press who were supportive of their endeavors.