Cultural connect

In the community the accent has been on religion while the cultural aspect has been neglected, noted Dr Homi Dhalla. This is why the World Zarathushti Cultural Foundation (WZCF) founded by him is recording facts about the language, clothes, the arts, et al, he said, while highlighting its activities during a breakaway session of the 10th World Zoroastrian Congress on the afternoon of December 28, 2013. Nergish Mistry of Delhi who introduced Dhalla said that he has also been associated with the interfaith movement since the past 27 years. In her concluding remarks she referred to him as a "lone ranger” in documenting and promoting Zoroastrian culture.
The presentation, which is available on CD, dealt with a multiplicity of aspects ranging from archeology to music and monajats, kusti weaving and pugree making, as well as restoring the historic Bahrot Caves and improving the approach road where a railing and plaques in three languages have been put up by the Archeological Survey of India. The ruins of two nearby settlements with the cave walls collapsing showcase the "faith and fortitude of our ancestors.” The WZCF has carried out excavations in Sanjan with archeologists Drs Kurush Dalal and Rukshana Nanji which have resulted in the recovery of 1,200 artifacts like pottery, etc which show a connection with Iran. Museums have been created at Udvada, and Navsari, the birthplace of Dadabhai Naoroji, with participation by the WZCF. Dhalla briefly sketched the history of the Parsis in India, mentioning illustrious names like those of Dr Homi Bhabha, J. R. D. Tata and Nani Palkhivala. A book on them, researched by Hormazdiar Dalal, is available at the Parsiana Book Club.

Dr Homi Dhalla and during his presentation at 10WZC

At the end of the presentation Dhalla responded to queries from the audience. Perin Fitter of the UK, known internationally as Mama Neem for promoting the use of neem trees, wanted to know whether the WZCF had plans to digitalize the data. Dhalla responded that it was slow going as he was working "by myself,” but there were plans in the pipeline. Jamshed Sukhadwalla underlined the importance of khurshed nigarashni in the system of dakhmenashini. Sarosh Bharucha, then president of Zoroastrian Society of Ontario was impressed by the music of the Gathas which the WZCF had included in the CD. "Give it to us. We will enrich it,” he announced, adding "it will help Canadian children to understand our religion.” Dr Vispi Jokhi mentioned a little know factoid, that a Parsi was a general in Shivaji’s army. Delegate Alayar Dabestani wanted to know whether or not there was any similar research into the Iranian culture, to which Dhalla riposted that there should be some initiative from the Iranian side in the matter.