Gahanbar in the Gulf

The Zoroastrians of United Arab Emirates (UAE), under the aegis of the Emirates Parsis Working Group, held their 24th annual gahanbar on November 16, 2018 at the Ibn Seena English School, Sharjah attended by about 400 enthusiastic Zoroastrians from all over the country. A humbandagi, led by Ervads Jimmy Kotwal and Porus Sheriar, was recited at the start of the gahanbar which has been held each year without a break since 1994 and is always sponsored by a generous and large-hearted prominent Parsi entrepreneur.

The chief guest was none other than ace former cricketer Farokh Engineer who happily posed with all. The attendees had the distinction of ‘seeing’ two Farokhs at the same point of time — Farrokh Bulsara aka Freddie Mercury rocking at the cinema (Bohemian Rhapsody) and Engineer at the gahanbar! Age may have played truant with the 80-year-old cricketer’s dashing good looks but his legendary sense of humor was spot on as was evident when he presented gift hampers as raffle prizes. Despite living abroad for many decades, he broke into fluent Parsi Gujarati to the delight of the large crowd and came up with some gems. When a winning number ticket holder failed to show up to collect his prize, he joked, "Badha dhansak khai né sui gayachh ké (Has everybody eaten dhansak and dozed off)?” And, when a gentleman whose surname was Driver didn’t surface, he quipped, "Aé driving karya karéchh su (Is he driving)?”
The scrumptious gahanbar meal consisted of mutton pulao dal, sali ma marghi, chicken cutlets, gajar meva nu achaar and rotli, all served traditional patra style, accompanied by soft drinks and ice-cream. The vegetarian fare comprised of veg pulao, Mughlai aloo paneer mattar and veg cutlets. Volunteers, young and old, were more than eager to take their turns in serving and helping out, leading at least one parent to remark, "Ghéré tau kai nathi karto, aheenya dori dori né kaam karéch (He does nothing at home while here he is more than eager to help out)!”
Many local Zoroastrian entrepreneurs grabbed the opportunity to sell their wares at stalls specially put up at the event. Although the UAE is geographically close to India, not many can just take off and return with their favorite bawa goodies. With winter round the corner, the ever-popular vasanu was more than welcome. Other home-made treats on offer were chocolates, badam pak, malido, cutlets, patra ni machhi, puris and masalas, besides Zoroastrian artefacts. At least 30 Zoroastrians drove over 170 km from Abu Dhabi just to attend this function!