Congress connections

"Indulge yourselves in our big Texan style hospitality, sit back and enjoy the warmth and splendor of the WZCC Day in Houston,” invited Behroze Daruwalla, chair of the Houston chapter of the World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce (WZCC) and corporate secretary of WZCC International. December 28, 2010, the day preceding the inauguration of the 15th North American Zoroastrian Congress (NAZC), was declared as the WZCC Day with a continuous stream of events planned for the delegates culminating with a gala dinner. The Houston chapter is one of the most proactive chapters of WZCC "and rightly so because it was in Houston where 10 years ago at the 7th World Zoroastrian Congress that this Chamber was jumpstarted to enhance the economic and entrepreneurial spirit of Zarathushtis worldwide. The chapter continues to encourage and mentor the young and new entrepreneurs in our community and this was evident from the fact that about one third of the gala audience was below 35 years of age!”

The day started with a trip to the Ocean Star Oil Rig Museum at the port of Galveston which was an educative experience for the 55 participants who traveled by a chartered bus. After their return to the InterContinental Hotel, the venue of the Congress, meetings and networking through the day provided an ideal opportunity for an exchange of ideas and experience.

A brainstorming session on "How to Rejuvenate WZCC?” focusing on North American chapters, saw 25 members engaged in an intense discussion. WZCC is not just for business people but also for professionals and under the current economic conditions we should work with placement services even if it is on a paid basis, stressed Rohinton Rivetna. Prepare a list of speakers who would be willing to travel to different chapters and speak to them whenever possible. Stop saying it can’t be done and just do it instead, counseled Firdosh Mehta.

(From left) Sarosh Collector, Zarir Sethna, Darius Wania, Ken Bhappu, Behroze Daruwalla, Jehangir Mehta, Kershaw Khumbatta, Sanjiv Arora, Bomi Patel, Dr Raj Bhalla, Rustom Engineer and Homi Davier

The importance of involving youth at higher levels in each chapter was conveyed by Jim Engineer while Rustom Engineer recommended that the senior members should provide ample opportunities for young members to be in the limelight. Natalie Vania Gandhi explained the working of the New York chapter and emphasized on the importance of information exchange among members and the outside world. WZCC should plan joint activities with other business organizations, suggested Daruwalla while Eric Engineer elaborated on the importance of connecting with each other using readily available technology.

A meet and greet session that allowed for an exchange of cards and intermingling among those already in business with those desirous of launching their own set the tone for the 10th annual WZCC gala. At this star-studded event the keynote speaker was the celebrity chef Jehangir Mehta, the Iron Chef finalist from the Food Channel’s main show who lost out to the finalist by one point but impressed the American audience with his charisma and talent. "I have always thought that Zarathushtis have four strong elements they live by: good thoughts, good words, good deeds and … good food!” remarked Daruwalla alluding to Mehta’s welcome presence. In his speech "Passion and risk — two sides of the same coin,” Mehta referred to the difficult personal decisions he had to make in times of family adversities and urged the gathering to think outside the box and to reach the next level by making the right choices using the good mind. When the youth in the audience sought to ascertain his faith in religion, Mehta gave sincere and straightforward responses.

Lending a special dignity to the evening function was chief guest Sanjiv Arora, consul general of India, and nearly all the founding members of WZCC whose support, guidance and encouragement is always appreciated. Parsis have the highest per capita contribution of any minority in India, commented Arora, appreciating that the tradition of entrepreneurship started by Jamsetji Tata, Ardeshir and Pirojsha Godrej is still vibrant. On queries regarding the issue of business and visitor visas he offered the community his full cooperation.

Also planned on the same day was a pre-Congress social for the youth at nightclub owner Aaresh Jamshedji’s trendy Signature Lounge. It was a well attended function allowing Zarathushti youth the opportunity to make new friendships and renew existing ones.

Entertainment line-up

Packed between the WZCC gala on the first night and the New Year’s eve ball on the last night were other entertainment programs too. According to Kamalrukh Gandhi, co-chair of the Congress entertainment subcommittee, "The entertainment line-up for the NAZC 2010 was a labor of love where the whole Zoroastrian community came together as one.”

As part of the inauguration was The Silk Road created and produced by Vehishta Kaikobad where a cast of more than 56 performers and backstage crew brought her vision to life. The ZAH (Zoroastrian Association of Houston) Choir, also heard at the inauguration, was the creation of Lyla Daroga with music selection by Gandhi. Specially written for the occasion was Zarathushtis of Texas that was conducted by Nozer Buchia. That same evening the delegates were treated to a performance by The World Zarathushti Symphony Orchestra (WZSO), "Those Were The Days” and the Zoroastrian band, Generation 1.

The Orchestra was conducted by Farobag Homi Cooper and included several local musicians as also Zarathushti members starting with a stirring rendition of the US national anthem. A special treat was the original composition of a Zarathushti Yasna set to music that ended with the audience proudly singing Chhaiyé hamé Zarathoshti. Cooper who serves as music director of the WZSO as also of the Chicago Philharmonia Orchestra, and artistic director of the Chicago Performing Artists Series, extolled the audience to have CPR for their art — Courage, Passion and Resilience.

"The WZSO not only serves as a showcase for introducing talented Zarathushti musicians to the community, but is also a springboard for gaining the added confidence requisite for success. Few aspiring musicians of any religious affiliation have the privilege to be accompanied by a professional symphony orchestra,” noted Cooper in an e-mail to Parsiana. Referring to the rendition of the Grieg Piano Concerto by 18-year-old Neville Bharucha from Bangalore, Cooper commented, "The fact that this young lad took a bold step and seized the opportunity to make his debut and perform with a largely professional orchestra (drawn from members of the Houston Symphony and the Houston Grand Opera Orchestra) speaks volumes about Neville’s character, motivation and passion. Not only did Neville do exceedingly well by maintaining par with the standards of a professional ensemble with minimally allotted rehearsal time but he also exhibited a keen awareness — rarely seen amongst younger musicians — that sheer technique, though necessary is not a sufficient condition for virtuosity. During both rehearsal and performance Neville manifested his musicality to a high degree…

"Though delighted that Neville made such a spectacular splash with his performance, the WZSO does not set its sights on producing professional musicians. Yet the Orchestra certainly embraces the ideals that contribute towards excellence and not just success which can be ever so fleeting. Music alongside medicine, law and theology is one of the cornerstones of the western intellectual tradition. Exposure to music builds strength, discipline, perseverance and ultimately creativity which is the hallmark of excellence. These attributes are the building blocks of character. It is our character, individually and collectively, which will help define our heritage towards its rightful place in society.”

From left (top row): ZAH choir and WZCC delegation at the Ocean Star Oil Rig Museum; (second row) scenes from The Silk Road; (below) participants at the Congress

In "Those Were The Days,” a frenzied pace was set by Arzan Gonda, co-chair of the entertainment subcommittee and owner of Rhythm India dance studio, presenting several performances with a mixture of old and young dancers. It was produced by Gandhi with choreography by Gonda and Revati Puranik, visual effects and video productions by Aderbad Tamboli, costumes by Daroga and Farzana Sidhwa. Bringing the night to a close was Generation 1, a local Zarathushti band comprising Aspy Jamshedji (bass guitar), Eddi and Sonia Behrana (vocals), Farrokh Firozgary (keyboards), Jamshed Dubash (drums), Rustum Challa (rhythm and lead guitar), Ziba Colah (rhythm guitar and vocals) with guest singers Farzana Sidhwa and Kaemerz Dotiwalla from the Houston Metropolitan area rendering popular old and new numbers that brought attendees of all ages a chance to listen to and dance to their favorite tunes.

The enactment of the traditional garbar ghotalo bharélo Parsi Gujarati natak Vari Baanna Paachhal Thi written by Buchia received a thunderous applause. There are three ways to communicate a personal message: tel-e-phone, tel-e-gram and tell-a-woman, but to witness the commotion and chaos that ensues when a Parsi woman eavesdrops on one part of a conversation made for a hilarious comedy. This was followed by a musical extravaganza "A Night with Musician Adi Tamboli.” Buchia turned Master of Ceremonies for the evening entertainment that included Bharucha’s rendition on the keyboard of his own composition Christmas Bells, Armaity Minwalla singing the Star Spangled Banner, dueling drums by Viraf Nariman and Darius Tamboli.

Yet another highlight of the Congress was the Exhibit Room put together by Meher Rustomji, Villi Bhappu and Daruwalla. The exhibits displayed the traditional gara embroidery, jhablas worn in another time and era, and other items shedding light on Zarathushti culture and heritage. Vendor booths enticed delegates with a variety of wares and talents.

The early morning sessions each day were devoted to different activities, whether meditation or Tai Chi (a Chinese martial art) or Zumba (a fusion of Latin and international music that creates a dynamic, exciting, and effective fitness system). Among the peripheral activities was scheduled a fashion show one afternoon.

As Zarathushtis, ZAH members feel the need to work towards the preservation of their centuries old, rich history and traditions through the Sunday school, youth sessions and other functions. ZAH president Jehanbux Mehta and the other members who are largely expatriates from India, Pakistan and Iran actively participate in the social, literary and religious events organized at the Zoroastrian Heritage and Cultural Center. Whilst giving credit to the "many volunteers who have worked very hard to make this Congress a success,” a message in the souvenir from the ZAH executive committee hoped the delegates would have enjoyed "an unforgettable experience filled with learning, inspiration and action.”

This write-up was prepared with inputs from Homi Davier, Mani Surkari, Rustom Kevala and Jimmy Kumana