Parsi pin-ups

The brouhaha over the Parsi pin-ups calendar brought out by the Bombay Parsi Punchayet’s (BPP) youth wing ZYNG (Zoroastrian Youth for the Next Generation) has burgeoned, with some orthodox persons filing criminal complaints against the apex body. One such complaint addressed to Bombay’s commissioner of police by community activist Firoz J. Kotwal to "seize and impound, to take into possession highly objectionable anti-religious ZYNG 2011 wall calendars” has been authorized by Dastur (Dr) Kaikhusroo Minocher JamaspAsa. The High Priest has referred to the offending calendar as being "against the Parsi Zoroastrian religion and faith.”

Justifying their offering in a letter published in the Jam-e-Jamshed Weekly of January 30, 2011, the ZYNG team stated that "in no way is the calendar meant to represent the non-wearing of a sudreh-kusti. Just as we have school concerts, ballet shows, fashion and dance shows, and other community-based entertainment like sports and swimming and body building competitions for Parsi men where the sudreh-kusti are temporarily removed without anyone raising any objection to it, the ZYNG models, too, were simply doing a professional job.” By way of further explanation ZYNG has listed all its activities such as religious, social and fun events. "ZYNG would like to clarify that this calendar is an effort by the youth and on behalf of the youth, to showcase a dynamic youthful face of the community… The calendar was sponsored by the upmarket Parsi owned Valhalla restaurant. So not one paisa of BPP money has been used…”

(Clockwise, from l): Shiamak Davar releasing ZYNG calendar; Valhalla co-owner Rishad Byramjee; model Parizad Kolah Marshall

In his column "Parsi Tari Arsi” in The Bombay Samachar of January 30, 2011 solicitor Berjis Desai has written a hilarious spoof on the controversy prefaced with: "The models discarding their sudreh and kusti caused the greatest discomfort to our traditionalist friends... Gustad Gossip, our intrepid reporter, interviewed Kaikhushru, 103, Peshotan 114 and Shirinmai, 212, who have got together to publish a true Zoroastrian calendar corresponding to the Parsi New Year. All their models are above 75 years, with each displaying the sudreh and kusti prominently.” In their calendar Burjorji, representing Bahman mah, is depicted (scantily) clad wearing only his sudreh and kusti. Peshotan’s rationale for this is absurdly logical: our scriptures only direct that you must wear sudreh and kusti all the time but there is no firman as to wearing lehangas!

Joining forces is the Traditional Zarathu­shtris Mailing List (TZML), an Internet group of like-minded community members. An e-mail addressed to "Vada dasturjis, Ervad sahibs, BPP trustees, WAPIZ (World Alliance of Parsi Irani Zarthoshtis) officials like Areez Khambatta and Khojeste Mistree, The Parsee Voice, traditional groups like TMYZ (Traditional Mazdayasni Zara-thushtis) officials, etc and prominent Zoroastrians in the community” complains about "An indecent Parsi calendar floated by ZYNG and the overt support from both BPP, WAPIZ and the Valhalla Lodge.” The words used to describe it are "indecent, irreligious, disgraceful, non-family-friendly and sleazy.” Saddened that this calendar has the open support of both BPP and WAPIZ it disagrees with a write-up by the latter that "the calendar embodies the real spirit of the community, the youth of today — young and vibrant, yet dedicated to the customs and traditions of our community.”

According to TZML, "Nothing could be further from the truth. Do these models even wear the sudreh kusti? A calendar which shows Parsi women in indecent and skin-exposing poses is in no way ‘dedicated to the customs and traditions of our community.’” It reflects on "our community’s image... Do other communities in India and their punchayets teach their youngsters good moral behavior by encouraging them to pose semi-nude in calendars which will be used more as pin-ups by non-Zoroastrians than for their religious matter?”

Not all Zoroastrians are of like mind; some have endorsed the youthful exuberance of the 12 models and the swinging spirit of today. Views of all hues on the controversial calendar may be read in "Readers’ Forum” (see pg 4).