Melodious monajats

Soonu Doctor of Poona is a gifted and spirited music teacher. She conducts a weekly choir in Poona where talented young Parsis sing monajats in Gujarati and English. She has been conducting these classes without any financial expectations or gain for the last five years and her group has grown in strength from just five to 35 students. Her choir has enthralled audiences at the World Zoroastrian Youth Congress in Poona, Lonavala and more recently at the Allbless Baug in Bombay at a public function organized by The Bombay Zoroastrian Jashan Committee to celebrate Bahman Ameshaspand. While the lyrics were traditional, the music, rhythm and style had a distinct and pulsating modern touch.

Doctor’s mission is to revive, preserve and perpetuate the rich culture and spiritual heritage of our community. Doubtlessly one of the best ways to preserve the culture and heritage of a community is through songs and music. Our monajats encapsulate the pure spirit of our religion and the Parsi way of life. They inspire and lift the spirit to lofty heights.

Doctor’s talented choir

It would be in the fitness of things if Doctor’s work could be cut into an audio CD. This would not only bring the joy of our wonderful and auspicious monajats in many Parsi homes all over India and abroad but also preserve our valuable culture for posterity. The Parsi Punchayets of Bombay and Poona as also the many organizations that have been set up recently to promote and preserve Parsi culture and heritage should take the lead in encouraging this initiative.

Those who wish to hear the choir practice may simply drop in at the Pudumjee Hall at the Shehenshahi-Kadmi Agiary in Poona on any Saturday at 5.45 p.m. It will be an evening well spent!

NOSHIR H. DADRAWALA