An abode in Surat

Restoring old structures is a long, tedious, painstaking and expensive undertaking. Rather than undergo the dreary process, many owners prefer to tear down the old and build a modern, new building, thereby often depriving the neighborhood and the town/city of a critical part of its cultural heritage. In that regard the 196-year-old Seth Kavasji Rustamji Tamna Ni Dharamshala was fortunate to find saviors in the new board of trustees of the Shree Surat Nanpura Parsi Zarthosti Anjuman (SSNPZA) elected in June 2013.
After years of apparent neglect of their most valuable asset, the new trustees decided to preserve and revive the establishment that offers boarding and meals at an economical rate to community travelers/visitors and whose grounds and large porticos serve as a venue for weddings, navjotes and other functions. The 12 rooms have been refurbished, five with air conditioners. Geysers are fitted in the bathrooms. The establishment’s manager-cum-caterer Nozer Daruwala who is much in demand not only in Surat, but in Ahmedabad and other places, provides delectable Parsi fare. His wife Freny points out to a row of vehicles parked outside the Dharamshala in which the provisions, utensils, etc are transported to various venues.

Images of the renovated structure; (below, right): prior to repairs

A wall in the foyer prior to and after repairs

Left: Residential building adjacent to Dharamshala. Right: view of the foyer and rooms

As a result the once niggardly income has soared to over Rs 12,00,000 annually, state trustees Parvez Variava and Maher Dumasia who were overseeing the preparations for the August 2, 2015 West Zone B meet of the Federation of the Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India held at the Dharamshala. Their attention to detail, even straightening a banner put up in the portico by others in their absence, had Dumasia’s bubbly wife Maharukh shaking her head in disbelief. She recalled how the two men would go shopping for materials, sheets, towels and other miscellanea and cart them back in a rickshaw into which she would just about manage to squeeze herself. They wanted to do everything economically, cut out the middle man wherever possible, she remarked sitting in the pleasant, airy Dharamshala office bordering Bejonji Kotwal Street. Repairs were under way, but had been kept on hold for the day of the zonal meet.
Photographs of portions of the building prior to the renovation show damp patches on the wall, missing plaster, peeling paint and general disrepair. Granite like tiles have been fitted on some walls due to the constant seepage. This is not advisable as one cannot observe the deterioration taking place behind the casing, and tiling also mars the original aesthetics. But Variava notes the age of the structure and limited funds left them no choice. In an appeal for donations issued by the Anjuman over a year ago under his signature as vice president, he notes, "This is the only operational Parsi dharamshala providing accommodation in Surat…The building has faced natural calamities like floods, earthquakes etc…which have left drastic effect…iron girders and supports used have corroded. The Parsi Dharamshala is badly in need of renovation, plastering, water proofing, pest control, flooring, painting and restructuring of old toilets and bathrooms…we are in need of funds to cope with all these huge expenses.”
The letter notes the resting house was built by Palanji Kavasji Athugar on July 26, 1819 "in fond memory of Hakim Kavasji Rustamji Tamna.” Amongst the other early donors mentioned in the letter are Daver Temuras Kavasji Mody, Ervad Burjorji Sorabji Katrak, Manekji Jamshedji Gyara, Darashaw Hormazdji Koyaji and others.” Adjoining the Dharamshala "there is a residential chawl for Parsis…namely Bai Mai Building…it is a load bearing structure constructed from wood which has decayed…and needs attention.”
The other trustees of the SSNPZA are president Rukshad Master, Malcolm Variava, Ruzbeh Kelawala, Cherag Khandadia and Monas Makhania. As one purported trustee, Kersi Sethna is a tenant of the trust, objections have been raised about his eligibility to serve.
Donations may be sent in the name of the "Surat Nanpura Parsi Zarthosti Anjuman,” at 1/743, Seth Kavasji Rustamji Tamna Ni Dharamshala, Bejonji Kotwal Street, Nanpura, Surat 395001. The trust has a Section 80 (G) exemption under the Income Tax Act, notes the appeal.