Exhibiting history

The highlight of the 2017 version of "The Zoroastrian Saga,” an exhibition organized annually by the Frohar Foundation, was a display of the Navroz Haft-Seen table and two dimensional reliefs of King Jamshed, Zohak, Shah Faridun, Zarathushtra in the palace of King Gustasp and Cyrus the Great, among others, and coins of the Parthian dynasty. Designed and conceptualized by Ervad Cyrus Dastoor to showcase the history, heritage, culture, legacy and religion of the Parsis, this year’s annual show was held at Allbless Baug from April 21 to 23, 2017. The exhibition has grown out of the tele-serial Humata Hukhta Hvrashta, produced by Frohar Films and aired on a few television channels. This year’s show was inaugurated by Capt Percy Master, chairperson of the Master group of companies.
On display was the history of various Iranian dynasties, and included vignettes from the arrival of the Parsis in India. Rituals like jashan, navar and martab, dakhmenashini and navjote and wedding ceremonies and a representation in stained-glass panels of Ameshaspands and Yazatas was also included, states a note received from the Foundation. According to Dastoor, "This is a labor of love; an uphill task; which sometimes seems thankless and yet very fulfilling for those involved.” Bakhtawar Shroff, one of the trustees of the Foundation, believes that "the exhibition has evolved and been revamped over and over again — it’s never the same!”

A humbandagi by Ervad (Dr) Pervez Bajan kicked off the first day’s program, followed by a viewing of highlights of Dudh Ma Sakar, also a Frohar Films venture. An antakshari competition conducted by Zubin Sanjana followed. The team ‘All Izz Well’ comprising Nilufer Kudianawala, Navaz Daroga, Mehernosh Zaveri and Frenny Chawda stood first, while ‘Kitne Aadmi The’ with Sheroo Govewalla, Adil Gotlaseth, Kamalrukh Gotlaseth and Amy Gundevia came in at second place. In third place was ‘Crime Master Gogo,’ a youth team of Sharmin Irani, Zubin Gheesta, Rayomand Irani and Hormazd Ragina.
April 22 began with an inter-religious dialog on fundamental principles in religion. The rangoli competition that afternoon was won by Gandhot Daver from Beacon High School, Sonia Jitia from Panday School and Sejal Mhatre from Seva Sadan School in the junior category; the senior winners were Rohit Narkar from Lady Engineer School, Benaz Sidhva, a teacher from Girton High School and 76-year-old Bapsy Mody. The guest of honor for the evening was municipal corporator Arundhati Dudhwadkar. Monajats and a welcome song by the children of Godrej Baug, written by Roshni Panthaky and executed by Jerbanoo Nargolwala were the highlights of the evening. A play titled Jashan Ni Jankari (About the jashan) written and directed by Nargolwala and co-ordinated by Pervin Sidhwa was performed by Godrej Baug youngsters. Dances by children from that colony, and Lady Engineer School followed. A medley of songs, again with performers from Godrej Baug, followed. A musical skit Dil Deewane (Mad at heart) by a group of senior citizens led by Mani Mulla also regaled audiences.
The final day’s program included a ‘Parsi Look Alikes’ fancy dress competition with children of XYZ (Xtremely Young Zoroastrians). Chief guest, Dastur Khurshed Dastoor and others were felicitated. The entertainment program for the evening included Western music by Thea Shroff and Hushad Khan; Bawa Skits by Daara Patel, Zenobia Kekobad, Percy Kekobad, Cyrus Pooniwala, Havovi Patel and Marazban Pardiwala. Indian music recitals by Jamshed Kotwal and Viraf Daruwala also entertained audiences. The lagan nu bhonu that followed was catered by Nariman Dalal. The event had over a dozen organizations and individuals lending their support. This year, "The Zoroastrian Saga,” is being made into a mini-film and its episodes will be televised nation-wide, notes the report from the Foundation.