Bawa beauties
Sixteen contestants vied for the May Queen crown this year
Conducted under the auspices of Sir Ness Wadia Memorial Pavilion (SNWMP) and promoted by Sir Ness Wadia Foundation with support from the World Zoroastrian Organisation (WZO) Trust Funds, the MQ has become a platform for showcasing the community’s young women. The youngest of these 16 contestants was 17 years old, the eldest being 25. Barring a participant each from Bharuch and Ahmedabad, the rest were from Bombay.Zinnia Ranji not only clinched the MQ 2015 crown but the thespian also won the Miss Talented title, winning a sum of Rs 60,000. In addition she was given a complimentary one night stay package at Vivanta by Taj President Hotel, zoom laser whitening dental treatment (courtesy Dr Ashdin Turner) and gift hampers sponsored by Godrej, Aspi Acharya, Byculla Pharmacy, Homiyar Shroff, garments by Cottons, membership at Mickey Mehta’s 360° Gym and a gift voucher from Love, Sugar and Dough. Fireworks exploded above as Ranji sashayed on stage with trophy in hand and two tiaras balanced on her head.
May Queen 2015 Zinnia Ranji; Above: May Queen logo
Winners (l to r): Benaz Contractor, Shernavaz Jijina, Urveez Kakalia and Zenia Bhumgara
Some of this year’s contestants; Photos: Kaizad Chinoy
Also winning multiple titles were Shernavaz Jijina and Urveez Kakalia. Jijina was declared the first runner up as well as Miss Body Beautiful and Miss Photogenic and bagged a cash purse of Rs 50,000, a meal voucher from Vivanta by Taj President Hotel, plus gift hampers. She also gets a free portfolio shoot by MQ photographer Arish Patel. Kakalia, who was the second runner up, won over the audience who voted her Viewers’ Choice. (This award is judged by the audience who need to buy a souvenir, tear out the contestant’s photo and drop it in the ballot box.) She was presented a cash gift of Rs 30,000 and various gift hampers. An additional boost came from "the large-hearted” Eric Anklesaria who sponsored the three main title prizes in memory of his late father Jimmy.
Fiona Karbhari’s "beautiful skin” and "vivaciousness” brought her both these titles. Zenia Bhumgara’s locks won her the Miss Best Hair and Benaz Contractor’s dazzling smile got her the title of Miss Beautiful Smile. A new title was introduced this year: Miss Beauty with a Heart which went to Zenia Baria. On a visit to The B. D. Petit Parsee General Hospital accompanied by Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) trustee Armaity Tirandaz, the contestant who seemed to be most compassionate towards the elderly was adjudged the winner.
Eight contestants were shortlisted for Round Two. To the question, "What help would you offer to the current earthquake victims in Nepal?” Ranji responded: "What has happened is very devastating, but the way the world has reacted to it is brilliant.” She regretted however that there was no strategy in place for these rescue operations.
In answer to "What bothers you most about what is happening in our country today?” Jijina replied that "we do not respect our women and the crime rate...” The essence of a woman according to Kakalia is that she gives life to others. "I understand that that is not possible without males,” she acknowledged and went on to add: "Also the unconditional love that a woman can express and share with the world, it can bring a smile on everyone’s face.”
Judging the ladies was the panel of television artistes: Geeta Kapur, Jasvir Kaur, Mohsin Bhatt, Rajeev Khinchi, Ramona Arethna and Atif Malik. A surprise visitor was yesteryear Bollywood heart throb Jackie Shroff. When called on stage to crown this year’s MQ, the evening’s compere Zeenia Wadia requested Shroff to say a few words in his ‘beedu (carefree)’ style. He complied and said, "Sahebji beedus (Hello folks). It’s a pleasure being out here. Love it out here boss! Bahut bhaari energy hai (The energy level is very high). Everybody is so charged and lovely.” Greeting each participant on stage he said to them, "Winner loser kuch nahi hai, sab bhari hai (There is nothing like winners or losers, you are all wonderful),” and then to Wadia he quipped: "Zeenia, you are the bhariest (heaviest)!”
Addressing the audience, Homiyar Shroff, president of the managing committee of the SNWMP commented, "Your presence in such large numbers only enhances our belief and gives us strength in conducting what is arguably now a signature event of Bombay’s social calendar. Every teenager dreams of being crowned Rustom Baug’s MQ and we create the music, merriment and magic of MQ. We give you everything to make this fiesta an exciting and memorable event year after year.” The funds generated by MQ help in the maintenance of the Pavilion and facilitate the organization of various Baug sports and social activities throughout the year.
On stage and behind
The evening began with Staphanie Dsouza belting out a Broadway hit All That Jazz. Choreographer Pearl Tirandaz’s dancers matched the singer step for step.
Wadia and co-host Burzis Taraporevala introduced each contestant as she sashayed down the ramp in a long gown exuding grace and confidence. The high point of the evening was the fashion show choreographed by Dilkhush Reporter Ravtewalla when several women including Parizad Kolah Marshal along with her daughter Diane modelled dresses and garas created by noted fashion designer Ashdeen Lilaowala.
While the contestants were preparing for the question-answer round, the audience was entertained by singer Feriyal Mistry who sang a Bollywood number after which Merzi Anklesaria’s dancers added heat to the night.
As part of the ‘birthday’ celebrations of the four-year-old Parsi Times (PT), its advertising in charge Meherangiz Khodaiji (in the absence of editor Freyan Bhathena) picked out a lucky winner who won a Godrej Storewell cupboard. Taraporevala who is known for his tongue-in-cheek humor advised the winner to "store your whiskey in the cupboard away from the prying eyes of your wife!” The finale was a song and dance sequence by Dsouza, choreographed by Hufriya Bhivandiwalla Kelawalla.
After this visual treat, those who had bought dinner coupons priced at Rs 390 (or presented complimentary dinner coupons which Parsiana unfortunately did not receive) proceeded to the enclosed dinner area to tuck into Jimmy Gadiwalla’s lagan nu bhonu. (Entrance fee for the evening’s program was a separate Rs 150 per head.)
Confidence and control
From baking to craft, speech and poetry, dance, drama and magic, the participants had showed off their talents earlier. With grooming of the girls sponsored by the BPP, the panel of 25 specialists who shared their expertise in different disciplines were: Mickey Mehta, Rashna Variawa, Merzi Pestonji, Kelawalla, Arish Patel, Meherzad Patel, Jimmy Mistry, Fawza Marolia, Behroze Deputy, Wadia, Hormuz Mehta, Khushnaz Turner, Freyaz Shroff, Dr Ashdin Turner, Hoshi Batliwala, Ravtewala, Shirin Merchant, Sherry Shroff, Rayomand Sirvala, Tirandaz, Ervad (Dr) Ramiyar Karanjia, Lilaowala, Zarine Commissariat, Benaifer Sahukar and Perizaad Zorabian. Grooming was done at the Neville Wadia Hall and the Pavilion in RB.
Yazad Karai and his Nyumark Entertainment, in charge of designs and event technicals, partnered with Pearl Tirandaz to put this show together. Lunches were catered by Behram Gadially. Trips outside the colony were to Mickey Mehta’s gym at Haji Ali and to destress, the girls let their hair down at Mistry’s Della Adventure in Lonavla.
Recounting the highs and lows of organizing this event, a week later chief coordinator Tirandaz mentioned in an email: "One of our participants lost her father during the course of grooming. But she stood tall on the stage and even won. She went on stage for her father. This shows how united all the girls were to hold her and help her to keep a smile on stage… (At the time of the blackout) there were about 70 people backstage but everyone did their job without complaining. This shows maturity and how our youngsters are so much more in control than the elders of our community.”