In 1935, Khurshed Maneckji Bharucha, the first Indian chief cashier of Tata Steel in Jamshedpur, borrowed ₹3.5 lakh...
arZan Articles
The new Uber and Airbnb of real estate: Jimmy Mistry on Della Townships’ asset-light disruption
From a 30-key glamping resort in Lonavla to a ₹46,480 crore township pipeline spanning 4,288 acres across India, Jimmy...
Raian Karanjawala on his friends Ratan Tata, Arun Jaitley, and Rupert Murdoch
His relationship with these luminaries deepened over decades, as Karanjawala was by their side through good times and bad. Article by S N Thyagarajan | Money Control Raian Karanjawala and his...
Ba Humata Lecture Series September 2023
The Ba Humata Lecture Series continues on Sunday, September 3, 2023 with the theme “In Life, Focus On The Blessing Not On What One Is Missing” Ref: Yasna 47.6, 48.3 and Related Verses of the Gathas...
BPP Trustees Petition Law Commission on UCC Concerns
Dear Friends, Happy to inform you that your BPP Board Of Trustees were invited on ‘Khordadsal’ – August 21 to personally visit Delhi and discuss concerns on the Uniform Civil Code...
Explore the 113-year-old Parsi Fire Temple in Royapuram
Not many have the privilege of stepping into the Parsi fire temple. This Madras Day, we meet members of Chennai’s Parsi community at the recently renovated Jal Phiroj Clubwala Dar-e-meher, and the...
Jarring Notes On A Stellar Evening: What Would Zubin Mehta Have Said?
The LA based conductor is in Mumbai headlining two sold-out shows conducting the Symphony Orchestra of India (SOI). The inaugural concert took place on August 19th. Article by Sarosh Bana Zubin...
Zubin Mehta in conversation with Karan Thapar: Yeh Hai Bombay, Meri Jaan
Veteran journalist Karan Thapar speaks with Maestro Zubin Mehta on his recent visit to Mumbai, to conduct the SOI at NCPA this past weekend.
Times of India Removed Quote on Wanting Peace for Indian Muslims From Interview: Zubin Mehta
“One has to get over this madness of religious persecution. Hopefully things will change,” Mehta said. Renowned music conductor Zubin Mehta has alleged that The Times of India removed...
The Parsi Theatre’ is an important addition to the sparse information available on the matter
Somnath Gupt’s book is an immensely readable account of the history and development of the Parsi theatre and its influences on early Hindi cinema. Actor Sohrab Modi (left) and playwright Agha Hashr...
Parsi Gara Work Takes Center Stage With This Exciting New Collaboration
Persian excellence takes centre stage as Ashdeen and Good Earth come together for a one-of-a-kind limited-edition capsule collection that takes inspiration from Persia’s famous seven-coloured...
Parsi New Year celebrations illuminate Nagpur with joy and traditions
The vibrant Parsi community in Nagpur, along with their fellow community members across India, celebrated Parsi New Year, also known as Navroz or Nowruz, on Wednesday, August 16. This festive...
Koolar & Co. : Matunga’s hidden gem: Parsi cafe weaves tales of history, cinema and Irani flavours
Nestled within the heart of Matunga, Koolar & Co stands as a living testimony of history. The cafe’s deep-rooted bond with the silver screen, the essence of Parsi culinary heritage, and...
Mumbai’s Britannia & Co. Restaurant Celebrates 100 Glorious Years
The classic Mumbai Sundays are incomplete without a visit to the iconic Irani cafe located at Ballard Estate, Britannia & Co. Restaurant. Between the bustling city and colonial charm of Mumbai,...
Parsis are choosing between extinction and purity. It’s not always a pretty choice
The Centre has revamped Jiyo Parsi scheme to arrest the declining population of Indian Parsis. For every 150 Parsis born in a year, there are 600 deaths. SHUBHANGI MISRA Senior citizens playing...
Observing Pateti: A Day Of Reflection And Repentance In Parsi Community
Pateti signifies the final day of the Parsi Calendar year before Navroz, the Parsi New Year. “Pateti” originates from the Iranian term “Patet,” signifying repentance....
Rati and Riah Forbes: Creating deep-rooted impact for vulnerable communities
Forbes Marshall’s Rati and Riah Forbes are working to improve the lives of underserved communities, and learning how to be more strategic with their personal giving By Benu Joshi Routh |...
At 86, Zubin Mehta reflects on his career, Mahler and the ‘Mehta Sound’
Zubin Mehta walks onstage more slowly than he did in his youthful, dashing days and is helped by a cane. He conducts sitting down. Sunday afternoon at Walt Disney Concert Hall, his arm movements...
WZCC Global Conclave in London A Fantastic Success
At the end of July 2023, the second of two mega-events in the Zarathushti calendar for 2023 happened. On the coattails of the 8th World Zoroastrian Youth Congress, the WZCC UK Chapter welcomed over...
Season II Of Mazda Multimedia Returns: We Hear You
Our dear friend Sarosh K. Daruwalla and his team at Mazda Multimedia bring us Season 2 of their extremely popular series of interviews and stories. What lies ahead in Season 2 ? Get a sneak peak...
Renowned Industrialist and Philanthropist Darius Forbes Passes Away at 97
At Parsi Khabar we are saddened to hear about the passing away of Darius Forbes. Our condolences to the entire family and his friends and loved ones. Here is an 2011 article on Darius Forbes that...
Management Marvels: World’s First Business Management Comic
We are happy to share a new venture started by our dear friend and amazing architect and design industry professional Kaiyan K. Mistree LET’S REVOLUTIONIZE MANAGEMENT, ONE COMIC AT A TIME....
Zubin Mehta: ‘Don’t underestimate the power of music’
For Zubin Mehta, time is sacred. Few callings are as severely an imposition on time as is his pursuit: classical music. In the Western tradition, transcribed on paper in extraordinary detail, in...
Banu Enterprises: Centurial shop marinated in the history of enterprising Parsis and Nagpur
If travelling on Ram Jhula towards Mayo Hospital Square, from the passenger side of the car you might be able to catch a glimpse of a small shop below called Banu Enterprises in Shanichara Market,...
Marzi Pestonji recalls his days as background dancer in SRK’s ‘Dil Toh Pagal Hai’
Renowned choreographer Marzi Pestonji went down the memory lane and recalled his journey on how he bagged the opportunity to be a background dancer in ‘Dil Toh Pagal Hai’. Master Marzi, who is also...
Ervad Zarrir F. Bhandara on a Blood Donation Crusade to Save Lives
Ervad Zarrir F. Bhandara is a true hero. He has donated his platelets and plasma over 538 times, saving over 1,614 lives. His selfless act of compassion has helped countless people in need. Ervad...
Michael Stausberg: ‘Many cab drivers said that they “worship” their taxis. Is this religion?’
A new, fascinating volume of essays explores how people make sense of their religions in the fast-changing city of Mumbai, whether in a chawl, high-rise or kaali-peeli While it is widely known that...
Sam Balsara to lead the Indian delegation to AdAsia ’23 Seoul
Sam Balsara, head of the Indian-owned Madison World will be the Leader of the Indian Delegation to the AdAsia’23 at Seoul. The AdAsia, a property of the Asian Federation of Advertising...
8th World Zoroastrian Youth Congress Opens in London Today
The 8th World Zoroastrian Youth Congress opens in London today in a few hours. The 8WZYC will bring over 500 youth from 15 countries together for a 5 day Congress. 8WZYC is hosted by the Zoroastrian...
Exhibition: Influential Zoroastrians Exhibition at WZO House in London
Our dear friend and mentor Zerbanoo Gifford, the President of the World Zoroastrian Organization is hosting an impressive and wide ranging exhibition titled “Influential Zoroastrians” at the WZO...
Gujarat High Court initiates contempt of court case against Senior Advocate Percy Kavina for asking judge to ‘have some shame’
Kavina had tendered an unconditional apology to Justice Desai after using “unparliamentary language” against the judge during a hearing last week. Senior advocate Percy Kavina Article by...
Bombay Parsi Punchayet Seeks Total Exemption From UCC
Parsi apex body says final draft is being prepared after consulting priests, religious scholars and senior legal advisors Article by Ashutosh M Shukla | Free Press Journal India The Bombay...
An Introduction to Zoroastrianism: Continuity and Change by Dr. Shernaz Cama
Our dear friend and mentor Dr. Shernaz Cama presents a 6 part series that speaks about the Zoroastrians and the Parsis. Dr. Cama is the founder of the PARZOR Project and also the founding co-chair...
She Gave The World 20,000 Babies: Dr. Firuza Parikh
The magic and wonder of advanced medicine hit home last Friday, July 7, 2023, when at an event at a south Mumbai hotel all the 30-40 children and teenagers in the room were ‘test tube’...
Former students pay tribute at the first Rati F. Cooper Memorial lecture: Bridge between India And Pakistan
“The political divide between India and Pakistan may keep getting wider, but because of Cooper Ma’am, the divide among people got narrower… She was the bridge between the two (countries),”...
Tributes paid to Field Marshal Manekshaw on 15th death anniversary
In recognition of his outstanding contribution to the armed forces and the nation, he was elevated to the rank of Field Marshal on 15 January 1973. Tributes paid to Field Marshal Manekshaw on 15th...
Zubin Mehta to Conduct SOI in Mumbai in August 2023
Zubin Mehta, the globally-acclaimed Parsi conductor from Mumbai, Music Director Emeritus of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO) and Conductor Emeritus of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, is all set...
Ba Humata Lecture Series July 2023
The July 2023 Ba Humata Lecture Series shall be held on Sunday July 2, 2023 on the theme “ ONENESS CARRIES THECONSCIOUSNESS OF ALLNESS “ ….Ahunavad Gatha & The Ahuravar Speakers Ervad Bomanshaw...
UK’s Channel 4 Idents Features Zoroastrian Mobeds Performing a Jashan
Our dear friend Ervad Jimmy Madon can be seen in the new series of five idents put out by UK’s Channel 4. He is joined by another young Mobed Ervad Yazad Unwalla in performing a Jashan Channel 4...
This Indian Fiat 1100 owned by Anosh and Fram Dhondy has done over 9 lakh kms
Few people in the world preserve and maintain their cars as well as the Parsis. The Parsis, one of the oldest communities in modern India, particularly those residing in and around Mumbai, are...
Navsari Parsi community celebrated the traditional ghee-khichdi to bring rain
The nature-loving Parsi community who settled in India from Iran are still preserving their heritage, like the Shravana month of Hindus, the Khichdi program for rejoicing Varsarani with spirituality...
Why is Indian Parsi Community Obsessed with Classic Cars?
The Indian Parsi community is typically known for having a deep passion for automobiles, in general, and classic vehicles, in particular. If you want to experience the true passion for classic cars...
Niloufer Mavalvala Wins Gourmand Award at Umea Sweden
Represented by 71 countries and 400 people, this remarkable idea by Edouard Cointreau and his partner Thierry Bertman came alive. Now in its 28th year, the Gourmand Awards and Food Symposium is a...
Tanaz Godiwalla’s Condiments Now Available in the USA on Amazon
The wait is finally over as Parsi culinary legend, Tanaz Godiwalla, brings her line of condiments, “A Parsi Affair,” across the US through Amazon Prime. With the launch of ‘A Parsi...
Blood, sweat and Percy-verence!
Percy Hakim, 85, legendary swimming and water polo coach, mentor to a legion of Mumbai swimmers and water polo players, passed away on Sunday. He was cremated at Shivaji Park on Monday morning Percy...
The pioneering Parsi adventurers: Indian cyclists who conquered the world
From rugged mountains to bustling cities and serene countryside, cyclists have been embarking on daring expeditions, experiencing the world in a unique and exhilarating way. With each turn of the...
Come Friday June 9 2023, Dadysett Agiary to open once again
The agiary will soon have an elaborate religious ceremony to have the sacred fire back in the Kebla, where it will burn 24 hours. Article by Ashutosh M Shukla | Free Press Journal Mumbai News: Come...
Dinsha Mistree in Conversation with Rahul Gandhi
Our dear friend Dinsha Mistree moderated a Q&A with Rahul Gandhi of the Indian National Congress at Stanford University. The New Global Equilibrium: Talk by Rahul Gandhi at Stanford University...
Reverse Orientalism, Slander and the Origins of Bombay’s Once Fashionable Capitol Cinema
The theatre, now closed, began its life as the Gaiety for the upper crust of Bombay to see plays. The Victoria Terminus (today Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus) is the undisputed highlight of any tour...
Ba Humata Lecture Series: June 2023
The June Ba Humata Lecture will be on the theme “ DISCIPLINE IS A SENSE, NOT A FENCE BETWEEN RIGHT AND WRONG: VohuKhashtra Gatha” Speakers: Mobedyar Bomi Damkevala (USA) Ervad Ardavan Solan...
Dukhi Dadiba and the Irony of Fate
In this 19th-century tragic love story, a young Parsi woman has to choose between money and love An excerpt from ‘Dukhi Dadiba and the Irony of Fate’, by Dadi Edulji Taraporewala. Translated from...
I Didn’t Appreciate Yogurt Until I Left Iran
From homemade labneh to whey sharbat, here’s how to make the most of it. Article By Homa Dashtaki It’s easy to think of yogurt as one-note. I’ve seen it treated as a morning grab-and-go...