‘Euphoria’ at Dadar

"We do not want to sing Chhaiyé Hamé Zarthoshti, pun vagar sadro né kusti,” said chief guest Dr Bakhtiar S. Bhesania, senior partner, Mulla and Mulla and Craigie Blunt and Caroe, advocates and solicitors, at Euphoria 2012, the celebration of the festival of spring organized on Jamshedi Navroz by the Mancherji Edalji Joshi Memorial Trust at the Dadar Parsi Colony on March 21, 2012. He exhorted the youth never to discard the sudreh and kusti, terming them "the only identity of a Zoroastrian.”

The function opened with a song by children of the dharmagyan class conducted by Ervad (Dr) Ramiyar Karanjia, sponsored by Roshan, Piyoo and Sanobar Nanavati. Mithoo Jimi Jesia, trustee and honorary secretary of the Trust welcomed Dastur Khurshed Dastoor of Udvada and Bhesania. Trustee Zareen Engineer introduced Bhesania, who was presented with an outstanding contribution award. Special awards were given to neurologist Dr Noshir Wadia, ad man Sam Bulsara, entrepreneur Yasmin Mistry, critical care specialist Dr Armaity Contractor and pediatrician Dr Cyrus Contractor. The Jal Mistry Memorial Award went to onco surgeon Dr Merzi Mehta and was presented by Bombay Parsi Punchayet trustee Arnavaz Mistry, mentions an e-mail received by Parsiana from Mahiyar Dastoor who was master of ceremonies that evening.

The Rohinton Chinoy Awards, instituted by Union Press for excellence in academics and sports, were handed out to outstanding residents of the Colony. Managing trustee of the Rustom Framna Agiary Nasha Rusi Jassawala presented the Rustom Framna Agiary Awards to Ervad Kayvan Meher Dastur who received a trophy and a cash prize of Rs 25,000 for excellence in bhantar (prayers), and Ervad Eric Zarir Dastur who got a trophy and Rs 15,000 for excellence in studies and mobedi, notes the write-up.

The 32nd festival celebrations, which were attended by nearly 3,500 guests, were preceded by competitions conducted over weekends from the first week of March. ‘Compatible Couples’ was sponsored by Raj Shipping Agencies, ‘Creative Child Genius’ by the Kathawallas, ‘Sadra Sensation’ by Master Marine Services Private Limited. Parle Biscuits sponsored the cookery contest, Della Adventures the floodlit telegames and Packwell Industries the ‘One Minute to Sell’ contest. These contests were conceptualized by Dinoo Dosabhoy, Navroze Siganporia and Daraius Zaiwala.

In memory of Naju Davar a Parsi gara was presented by her daughter Ferzeen Boomla as the first prize in the gara raffle. Another gara designed by ZNK was also won, as well as other prizes from the house of Godrej. Proceeds from the raffle are used to build houses for poor Parsi farmers in interior Gujarat through Bachi and Dinshaw Tamboly of the World Zoroastrian Organisation Trust Funds, the write-up mentions.

(Top row, from l): Mahiyar Dastoor, Mithoo Jesia, Sam Bulsara, Dr Bakhtiar Bhesania; (2nd row, L to R): 1. Sarosh Nanavati; 2. Kayo Billimoria; 3. Cawas Billimoria; 4. Jehangir Karkaria; 5. Hormuz Ragina; 6. Peshotan Kapadia; entertainers; (Bottom row, from l): Zareen Engineer, Dhun and Bakhtiar Bhesania, Dr Noshir Wadia, Dastur Khurshed Dastoor, Soli Morris, Drs Armaity and Cyrus Contractor, Dr Merzi Mehta and Yasmin Mistry Photos: Sarosh Daruwala, Mazda Audio/Video Lab

A touching tribute was paid to Katayun Mahiyar Dastoor and Percy Russa Patel, before the entertainment show began with Dastoor describing Euphoria 2012 as "a platform for outstanding Parsi singing and dancing talent.” Performers included Sarosh Nanavati, Cawas and Kayo Billimoria, Hormuz Ragina, Peshotan Kapadia, comedian Jehangir Karkaria. Choreographers Sunil Rao, Kainaz Unwalla, Rayomand Irani, Rhea Vesuwalla, Lianna Mistry and Nushad Irani, director Arnaaz Rustom Irani, show and costume coordinators Jahan Nargolwala, Nina Dumasia, Parizad Bhagat, Mahatab Chapkhanawala, Zenobia Unwala, Kamal Tantra and Nauheed Irani "created magic,” the write-up acknowledges.

Sarosh Daruwala’s Mazda Audio/Video Lab provided lights, sound and screens; DJs Aarish and Osh stepped up the tempo with the music; Shernaz Dadachanji of Xanadu — the Wellness Boutique, did the hairstyling and make-up. Décor was by Roxana and Micky Buhariwala of F. H. Pavri and Sons with security support by the Della Tecnica group. Fireworks followed by the singing of Chhaiyé Hamé Zarthoshti and the national anthem brought the show to an end. Dinner was catered by Tanaz Godiwalla.

The entire program was made possible by sponsors United Spirits Limited, Hilla Builders, Sterling and Wilson Group, Zoroastrian Trust Funds of India, Videocon Industries, Pirojsha Godrej Foundation, NTPC, Central Bank of India, Union Bank of India, Jaypee Group, House of Tata, Big Bazaar-Pantaloon, Tata Mutual Fund. Trustees Soli Morris, Zarine Zaveri, Engineer, Jimi and Mithoo Jesia, Dinyar Panthaki, Aspi Vasania, Tina Patel, Zaiwala and Dastoor had back office support from Shazneen Mehta, Pooraan Bunshah, Rashna Amroliwala, technical support from Pervez Zaiwala, Siganporia, Zarin and Behram Rabadi, Nozer Tantra and Dhanjisha Guzder along with many committed volunteers, the write-up gratefully acknowledges.