“Khai pi né majaa”

Aside from merry-making and dining, the August Shahenshahi New Year gave rise to some literary impulses. Parsiana publishes one such exchange that took place between Dr Farok Contractor, Professor of Management and Global Business at Rutgers University, and some of his college friends.

"What is this about us Parsis that we discuss food so much? Is it a sign of decadence, or refined civilization? I remember some Parsis who had a phenomenal memory for delicious meals they had consumed. Well into the 1970s they would talk about a memorable dinner on board the SS Chusan in 1956, or a particular dessert they ate at the Taj buffet (and how many times they had resorted to the buffet display).

"Consider the New Year’s (Pateti) greeting I received from a friend in Bombay which included this poem:

May the Cholesterol Devil never keep you from

The eedas in your bheedas,

May your plate be full of sali ma margi,

May you drink your fill and dance with glee,

Cause we all celebrate being a Parsee.

— Author unknown

"Being a Parsi, I was immediately moved to compose the following reply, and sent it to several friends:

Do not to your doctor go

Asking about malido

Refuse not malai na khaja

Instead, khai pi né majaa.

"To this, another friend responded by composing his own poem:

Afraid of cholesterol, do not be.

Boldly devour your akooree.

And heart attacks don’t scare me,

As I eye my jalebee.

I can come to no harm,

Thanks to Parsi Dairy Farm,

And when I sleep I soundly dream,

Of K. Rustom ice cream.

— Farrokh Langdana

"So is an emphasis on food a sign of decadence, or refinement? My own opinion is that an emphasis on tasty food is a good thing — up to a point. The cultures that dwell on food quality (the French, the Parsis, etc) tend to be more relaxed and affable. Cultures that regard food as little more than a necessity — or where a sickly sweet red substance shaken out of a bottle (‘When you tip the ketchup bottle,/ First will come a little, then a lot’ll.’ — Anonymous) is considered a taste enhancer — tend to be more hard-headed and from an economics point of view, more productive. The US is a case in point. But the US may be changing. The recent relative economic decline in the US has been accompanied by the rise of gourmet food and speciality restaurants, at least on the west and east coasts of America, and an increase in food shows on American television. You can draw your own conclusions about the future of the United States.

"All I tell my friends is: Pét paswari né khaajo (stroke your stomach and eat).”

Farok J. Contractor