Being Parsi

Parsipanu or understanding Zoroastrian culture in a fun way was the theme of the May 13, 2018 get-together of the Zoro Kids Club in Secunderabad. Organized by volunteers aged between 13 and 21, and with the support of the Zoroastrian Club and community members, a total of 29 children aged between 18 months and 14 years attended the indoor event which began with a prayer. The children were asked to introduce themselves and explain the meanings of their names to start with, while the organizers explained the significance of facing the sun while praying.

Above and right: fun, food and Parsipanu in Hyderabad

Grouped into five teams named after the gahs, the first activity was chalk purvanu (making chalk designs). Shazneen Wadia hosted a quiz based on food, eminent Parsi personalities and Zoroastrian culture. This was followed by a memory game where each team had to jot down names of typically Parsi items like prayer cap and kusti flashed before them followed. After lunch, the younger children made cards with their handprints. The cards along with cloth flowers made by volunteer Anaisha Chenoy were given to all the children for their mothers since the event was held on Mother’s Day. A relay puzzle where the teams had to put together pictures of Parsi items, organized by Roxanne Kanga, was followed by a song and dance session.
Aaryan Printer (12 years), who attended with siblings Zayaan (eight) and Kiyaan (2) said, "We thoroughly enjoyed our outing, because we got to learn all the Parsi traditions and our food and culture too.”
Organizer Kunashni Davar said, "The most important (people today) were our volunteers. They brought in so much creativity and enthusiasm and really ran the show. Our cultural aspects of chalk purvanu, bhanvanu (praying), khavanu /peevanu (eating/drinking), maja (fun), reet reevaaj samajhvanu (understanding traditions) were followed to the hilt!” Youth volunteers Cheerisa Jilla, Zenia Bathela, Havovi Katrak, Anaisha and Armaan Chenoy, Kanga, Sanaya Bharucha, Armaity Debara, Ruksha Hormusjee and Davar juggled their work commitments to be a part of this event.
Lunch comprising dhan dar and chicken patio was sponsored by The Zoroastrian Club. Organizer Armaity Debara said, "We were able to conduct the event at a nominal fee of Rs 50 per head thanks to the Club’s support.”
Community members Daisy and Homi Chenoy, who have been part of all the three previous events organized by the Zoro Kids Club since inception in 2017, helped out with the games, name tags and snacks. Percy Daver and Gev Ichhaporia sponsored the chips and drinks while Rohinton Behramsha helped with the audio visual unit for the quiz. Minoo and Khoremand Siganporia of Cake Bank provided a cake for the participants.
Said Hormusjee, "The participation in such large numbers for the event was very heartening for us.”