We Are The Champions

Another prominent event at the Zartoshty Brothers Hall of the Zoroastrian Centre in London was the commemoration of the late Freddie Mercury (born Farrokh Bulsara) and his father, the late Bomi Bulsara on September 5, 2008. The event, funded by Jer Bulsara and her close family members, was attended by over 300 guests along with the Mayor of Harrow, Councillor John Nickolay and his wife the Mayoress who were the chief guests on the occasion.

A jashan performed by five mobeds was followed by a one-hour film on Farrokh Bulsara’s life and his transition to Freddie Mercury, states the ZTFE newsletter. The film covered many important milestones in his life and that of his parents Jer and Bomi. The late Bomi’s job as clerk to the Law Court took the family to Zanzibar, where at the age of seven, Farrokh’s navjote ceremony was performed. A sea crossing to India followed, where the young Farrokh joined the St Peter’s School in Panchgani. There he enjoyed boxing, cross-country running and discovered an early aptitude for music as part of a band called the Hectics.

The revolution in Zanzibar brought the family as refugees to Hounslow in West London where Farrokh tried his hand at market trading and setting himself up in the world of music. His real rise to fame and success began in 1972 with a name change to Freddie Mercury and the setting up of the rock group Queen with which he became synonymous worldwide. His flamboyant lifestyle was well covered. However, perhaps the most fascinating insight lay in the portrayal of a gentle, generous and loving spirit who faced his final days with the same indefatigable spirit that he had shown throughout his life.

Kashmira Cooke Bulsara and Jer Bulsara after the jashan. Right: File photo of Freddie Mercury and earlier with his father Bomi

Moving tributes followed, paid by the chief guest who emphasized Freddie’s commercial successes and broad appeal even to such a confirmed fan of Classic FM as himself, as well as to people of different generations and cultures.

Tributes from the Bulsara family were led by Roger Cooke (Freddie’s brother-in-law) who also dwelt upon the life of Freddie’s father, Bomi. The audience learned how Freddie, who was close to his mother, would always visit her on her birthday, but in the final year of his illness, when he was too weak to travel, still managed to send her flowers whilst apologizing for his inability to be at her side.

Describing Freddie Mercury as the most internationally recognizable Zoroastrian in modern times, Mistry went on to read out tributes received from Bilimoria, as well as the international philanthropist Mehraban Zartoshty.

The presentation of a book by Jer Bulsara to the ZTFE concluded the formal part of the evening and the audience responded to her warmth and generosity of spirit with a standing ovation.

Dinner followed, with a full table service catered for by Armin Dastoor. The menu comprising tasty Parsi offerings was enjoyed by the attendees against a backdrop of Mercury’s famous hits like We Are the Champions, This Could Be Heaven and Another One Bites the Dust with the image of the legendary rock star projected on the screen.