A Summary of events

BY

Mr Noshir Dadrawala

Parsis of Bangalore Celebrate

Platinum Jubilee of theBai Dhunmai &Cawasji Dadabhai Dar-e-Meher

 

Early Parsi settlement in Mysore and Bangalore dates back to 1880. However in the beginning of the last century a few Parsi families got together to form an association with a monthly subscriptin ranging between four to eight annas.

 

During the decades, 1900 to 1920, the Parsi population of Bangalore rose to a hundred and a need was felt for a proper place of worship. Noted businessman and philanthropist D. Cawasji (father of the present President of the Bangalore Parsi Anjuman, Kali Cawasji) responded with a generous contribution to build a fire-temple in memory of his late parents Dhunmai and Cawasji Dadabhoy.

 

 The Holy Fire which is of the “Dadgah” grade, was consecrated on Roj Ardibehest, Mah Shehrevar 1295 Y.Z. Late Pestonji Unvalla was the first Panthaky and he served the Holy Fire and the Anjuman with selfless dedication for 40 long years, while his equally dedicated son Nadirshah served the Holy Fire as Panthaky for 31 years. Even today, Nadirshah  despite his age and frail health continues to guide and inspire the community in Bangalore with unflagging dedication and zeal. His involvement with the Parsis of Bangalore now spans a period of 65 years.

 

The Platinum Jubilee celebrations were observed over the weekend of 20-21 January 2001. The building which houses the Holy Fire wore a new and cheerful look. Thanks to the efforts of a young Parsi architect, Darius Billimoria, today the old structure stands beautifully restored. Though it wears a modern look the creative architect has retained much of the old classical elegance. Congratulations!

 

On Ardibehest Roj, three High Priests, Sardar Dastur Hormazdiar Noshirwan Dastur, Dastur Meherji K. MeherjiRana and Dastur Nadirshah Unvala along with fifteen other mobed sahibs including scholar priests Peshotan Mirza, Pervez Bajan and Ramiyar Karanjia performed a Jashan. This was followed by a hum bandagi and unveiling of a beautiful portrait of our beloved Prophet Zarathushtra donated by Katy and Soli Pochkhanawalla.

 

Thereafter the congregation of over 500 “humdins” dressed in traditional “daglis” and “paghris” and women in elegant “korni sarees” walked across to the Kothari Hall compound. Prior arrangements were made to divert traffic for about half an hour. This silent, regal and dignified procession, sans any loud and vulgar display of religiousity, showcased the Parsis before other sister communities in the true and traditional Zarathushti spirit.

 

Mrs. Manijeh N. Unvala sang a beautiful invocation song praising various Ameshaspentas and Yazatas and enumerating their Divine and  benevolent  qualities.

 

Dasturjis Hormazdiar Dastur and MeherjiRana invoked the blessings of Ahura Mazda and offered hearty felicitations to the Bangalore Parsi Anjuman.

Dasturji Unvala gave a brief history of the Agyari and the anjuman. It was a fascinating account of struggle, noble aspirations, steady growth, high values and that all endearing Parsi quality of Philanthropy.

 

Trustee of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet, Minoo Shroff was the chief guest. Jamshed Guzder could not participate due to ill health and the congregation prayed two “Yathas” for his speedy recovery.

 

President of the Bangalore Parsi Anjuman, Kali Cawasji thanked Dastur Nadirshah Unvala for his long and meritorious service to the community in Bangalore and working so tirelessly for close to a year for the Platinum Jubilee function. He declared that the Anjuman, largely due to the efforts of Dastur Nadirshah was able to raise a sum of forty lakhs by way of donations and advertisements. Grateful members of the Anjuman gave their beloved High Priest a standing ovation and a thunderous applause. For Parsis in Bangalore, Dastur Nadirshah is a legendary figure. He is not just a priest who blesses them or performs religious ceremonies for them. He is their friend and guide in happy and difficult times. He is widely connected with various government authorities and organizations and has helped many a Parsi family in times of calamity.

 

Among dignitaries who graced the occasion were, Lt. General Adi Sethna, President of the Delhi Parsi Anjuman, Rusi Gae, former law secretary to the government of India, B.P.P. trustee Mrs. Siloo Kavarana, Dr. Sam Bhacca, President of the Surat Parsi Punchayet and many others.

 

All special invitees and guest speakers were felicitated with flowers, shawls and specially embossed time pieces created by Titan Industries to commemorate the auspicious occasion.

 

Gen Sethna urged all members of the Parsi community to respond to the National Census 2001. “We know we are small in numbers. But, we need to know how exactly small we are and what are our strengths and weaknesses”, he said.

 

B.P. P. trustee Minoo Shroff gave his impressions of the last World Zoroastrian Congress held in Houston. He felt that today, globally, Zoroastrians number about 1,50,000. He lamented the fact that as a community we are highly individualistic, though we have many other positive qualities as well. He was optimistic about the future of the community and reposed considerable faith in the innate wisdom and aspirations of our youth. He however felt that those who do well in life must make way for others. “We must break this heavy dependence on BPP”, he said.

 

After a hearty lunch, members of the community congregated once again in the evening to hear Ervad Dr. Ramiyar Karanjia speak on the meaning and message of the kust prayers. This was followed by a soulful rendition of the Rustom- Aspandiar episode from the Shahnameh by Ervad Pervez Bajan. Finally Noshir H. Dadrawala spoke on the theme, “Why I am proud to be a Parsi Zarathushti”.

 

It was truly an inspiring evening stirring religious fervour among those thirsting for religious knowledge and understanding.

 

The next morning began on a slightly unpleasant note with Rusi Gae bringing in the topic of inter-marriages and the law. This caused considerable unrest among members seated in the audience, especially the youth.

 

Youth leaders like Adil Govadia and Shernaz Lala protested and urged the President and Secretary of the Anjuman to prevent the speaker from raising a controversy on such a happy occasion. Noshir Dadrawala was requested by the President to respond to Mr. Gae, which he indeed did blasting some of the “legal myths” surrounding the celebrated Davar- Beamon judgement.

 

Tempers cooled with Manijeh Unvala once again chanting a beautiful invocation. Thereafter Ervad Dr. Peshotan Mirza delivered a lucid account of the predecessors of Zoroastrians in Peshdadian and Kayanian times. In logical sequence, Ervad Dr. Rooyintan Peer spoke about Early Parsi settlers in India. Finally Khojeste Mistree gave a scholarly explanation of the sacred Yatha Ahu Vairyo prayer.

 

In the evening,eleven years old Pearl Bhumgara enthralled the audience with her spell binding magic show.The confidence and ease with which this little wonder performed made many a Parsi heart swell with joy. The Parsi spirit of creativity and excellece continues to flourish, no matter what prophets of doom have to say.

 

The festivities concluded with some humor thrown in by the Bangalore Zoroastrian Association team led by young Sheriyar Vakil and the singing of “Chayye Hame Zarthosti”

 

The Parsis of Bangalore and especially the youth are a wonderful group. Modern and forward looking in their social life but traditional and conservative in their religious outlook. What is it that makes the Parsis of Bangalore tick. Possibly it is their upbringing and the leadership of its elders. In a very recent letter to her father Sherry who is now well settled abroad wrote to her father Pheroze Bharda, “ Burjor and I want to make this gift to the Anjuman. It’s not much but it’s given with all our good wishes……….we owe a large part of our formative years, our wonderful childhood, to the Parsi club in particular and to the community at large. Few children have the good fortune to grow up in a community like ours, where friendships are forged forever and the community as a whole, shoulders the responsibilities of all it’s children. Whenever I speak to to friends from the Parsi club, now scattered all over the world I see that they too, cherish these childhood years spent here at the club as the best years of their lives. I wish with all my heart, that our club and community continues to nurture it’s younger generation to grow up to be good decent individuals.” Need one say more?

 

Way to go folks! And may the Blessings of the Holy Fire always be with you.

 

 [ ADDED  LATER   ....    when asked what was served ]