Parsi Gujarati theater

As a freelance writer for over 25 years, with a special interest in reporting on both the performing arts and the community, it is my privilege now to combine these two passions — in a book titled Laughter in the House: 20th Century Parsi Theatre.

Having already worked on this special volume for a year now, I continue to research the theme for more material and archival photographs.

I request anyone who has a memory or anecdote about various aspects of our Parsi Gujarati natak tradition of the last century (more specifically 1940-2000) to please share it with me. It could pertain to information on our gifted writers of those years such as Adi Marzban, Dorab Mehta, Phiroze Antia and Homi Tavadia. They could be stories about actor giants who are no more with us but once regaled packed houses like Minoo Davar, Jimmy Pocha, Dinshah Daji, Dinoo Nicholson, Piloo Wadia and Eric Paymaster. Or even the sheer personalized experience of watching sparkling new comic farces that open every Navroz and run successfully for several shows after.

I also invite visual material. In fact, this is particularly awaited — in the form of old play stills, programs, posters, tickets, etc.

While all information will be chronicled and authenticated to the best of my ability, the idea is not to publish an academic text but a big, cheerful book celebrating the best and brightest theatrics from an era hardly too long past — yet almost forgotten today. It would be wonderful to collectively keep alive at least some recollection of it by trying to recreate those times of happy histrionics for younger generations deprived of that slice of life and all too likely to ask: Who was Adi Marzban?

Feedback is welcome on the following email addresses: marfatias@vsnl. com or meher_marfatia@yahoo.com

MEHER MARFATIA