Mammay reborn

Very often, as we fix our focus on the future, we seem to lose valuable pieces of the past. Literature, art, architecture — various aspects of culture have steadily blurred into forgotten memory. The book Mhara Mammay ni Musafiri, written by a Parsi author Chhota Baba in the early 1920s, was one such victim of historical amnesia. Perhaps it would have been buried forever in the past had one faithful reader not made it her mission to get the book reprinted and republished.

Ninety-six-year-old Gandhian, Poor­nima Pakvasa or "Didi” has been the driving force in getting the book reprinted. The book was launched on October 1, 2008 at the M. C. Ghia Hall at Kala Ghoda. Didi delighted the audience by engaging in a spontaneous book reading. Her authentic accent, coupled with the book’s comical descriptions drew a hearty laugh from the audience. In attendance at the launch celebrations was writer Jyotsana Sheth, politician Jaywantiben Mehta and other well-wishers.

Poornima Pakva­sa: preserving a masterpiece

Mhara Mammay ni Musafiri narrates the eventful journey of Humbaiji and her grand-nephew Nusli, son of her brother Pirojsha’s daughter, traveling in a steamboat from Bombay to Colombo. With generous helpings of humor, sarcasm and good old Parsi Gujarati, the book is an enjoyable read.

Didi’s tryst with Mhara Mammay ni Musafiri dates back to her childhood. "When I was a little girl living in Ranpur in Gujarat, I fell in love with this story. Every evening, my family would have a session of reading the book aloud. People usually have family sessions to read the Ramayana, we read Mhara Mammay ni Musafiri. Over the years, Didi’s love for the book never waned. She carefully preserved and re-read her tattered copy of the story. Recently, it struck her that she should get the book reprinted. "I realized that there are very few copies of it left in circulation. Why deprive our future generation of such a great work of writing? I am yet to find a story as entertaining as this,” smiles Didi.

Republishing this treasure from the past is just one of Didi’s many achievements. Truly, she is a woman of substance! A sworn Gandhian, she was actively involved in the freedom struggle. She was sent to Limdi Jail where she worked to spread literacy and self-defense awareness am­ong fellow inmates. Post-independence, Didi has commendably carried on the mission of education that Gandhiji bestowed on her. A full-fledged residential school was established at Saputara, Gujarat. Since 1975, this institution has provided education to over 17,000 tribal girls from the Adivasi-Dang community. Didi was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2004 for her outstanding social work. In fact, all proceeds from the sales of Mhara Mammay ni Musafiri will go towards welfare of the Dang community.

Here’s to the rebirth of this delightful piece of Parsi literature!

Mhara Mammay ni Musafiri has been published by Anuj Arvind Pakvasa, ‘Arumangal’ Prakashan, 58 Prerna, Opposite Gita Building, Gamdevi, Bombay 400007 and is priced at Rs 500.