A centenary in Karachi

With nearly 100 members on its rolls, Karachi’s Young Mazdayasnian Zoroastrian Association (YMZA — the new avatar of the Young Men’s Zoroastrian Association) celebrated its centenary with a jashan and the release of a 15g pure silver coin on March 21, 2010. Struggling to keep the banner flying the present set of office bearers under president Shahpur Maneckji have revived the elocution and poetry, music and drawing competitions.

"We have seen a tremendous increase in participants and an eagerness to join such competitions,” observes Maneckji who comments that these contests "help develop and foster a feeling of friendly, positive” interaction among the school-going children. Such activities further aid "in the development of their literary talent and public speaking,” he appreciates.

"The organization which was formed in British India has weathered turbulent times from the partition of the subcontinent to wars and civil strife and a changing demographic landscape which has seen younger members of the community move away from Pakistan,” points out joint honorary secretary Dinshaw Avari, referring to "the diehard members who struggled to keep YMZA alive” despite the exodus of young Parsis to western lands. "Even though the YMZA has been dormant for stretches of time some young stalwart or the other has always come along to shepherd it through difficult times and into a new era of community service,” acknowledges Avari in his note recapitulating the salient features of the Association over the last 100 years.

Members and well wishers of the Young Mazdayasnian Zoroastrian Association celebrate the centenary occasion with a jashan and the release of 15g pure silver coins

Modeled along the lines of the Young Men’s Christian Association, YMZA was founded in 1910 with special emphasis on religion, literature and drama. Responding to a call by Sir Pherozeshah Mehta, then editor of the Parsi Sansar, Dinshaw Kabraji mobilized the youngsters of Bai Virbaiji Soparivala Parsi High School to band together and launch the organization. The first office bearers of the newly initiated body were Sir Jehangir Kothari, president, Sheriarji Contractor and Jamshed Mehta as secretaries and Kabraji as treasurer. Dastur (Dr) Maneckji Dhalla was deemed advisor and he often gave lectures under the auspices of YMZA.

Committed to literary and cultural pursuits, one of the highlights of the early years was the presence of Rabindra­nath Tagore at a function organized in his honor in 1923. Other legendary artistes like classical Indian dancer Uday Shankar and singer Omkarnath too performed for the YMZA at different times. Communal prayers on hamkaras and readings from Shakespeare and the Shahnameh were other regular features. By then the Association had its own Hormusji Katrak Hall and Sohrab Katrak Library. The Library has since been shifted to the Dinshaw Avari Colony where it is amalgamated with the Dastur Dr Dhalla Library. In its heyday, the YMZA had its own cricket team and even offered ambulance and first aid service under Dr Kaikhusrow Contractor.

In the intervening years members who played a crucial role in infusing fresh life into the Association were Sohrab Katrak, Behram Rustomji, Zal Contractor, Feredoon Dadachanji, Kawas Colabe­wala and Godrej Sidhwa. In fact Sidhwa is committed to the cause to this day.

In 1990 when it needed to be resurrected yet again, it was decided to rename it Young Mazdayasnian Zoroastrian Association to make it more inclusive and permit membership to females into its rank and file and onto the council of management. "In the last two decades YMZA has managed to successfully reactivate all the dormant events and introduce some new activities,” writes Avari. "The signature events, the elocution competitions, film viewings and religious lectures are being held in tandem with the newer annual events like the music and art competitions and Gujarati nataks (as also) regular activities for the B. M. H. (Bomanshaw Minocher Homji) Parsi Hospital and infirmary patients.” There is an aging membership as completion of a certain age does not disqualify any member, clarifies Avari.

The main aims of the re-constituted Association are:

The diffusion of secular, ethical and religious knowledge and the cultivation of elocutionary and argumentative powers by means of lectures, debates and readings on literary and scientific subjects, open either to the members of the Association only or to the general public as the Association may from time to time determine.

The promotion of the interests of the Parsi community.

The promotion of goodwill and friendliness by means of social gatherings, entertainment and such other functions.

The promotion of all sports and games, indoor and outdoor, for the physical well-being of the Parsi community.

The Association does not join nor affiliate itself with any political activity or movement. This shall not, however, debar members from lecturing on subjects political under the auspices of the Association at meetings of the Parsi community.

On the current council of management of YMZA under Maneckji are Avari and Firoozeh Mogal as joint honorary secretaries, Freddy Sidhwa as honorary treasurer with Godrej Sidhwa, Nergesh Jamasji, Behroze Khambatta, Perin Mama, Kaizer Irani and Shahrazad Irani. A piano recital by Rashna Gazdar’s School of Music and a Gujarati natak are the events promised for the centenary year.