Heritage Articles

Rattan Kunj–Talati Bungalow: One of last century-old seafront Seven Bungalows faces demolition

Natasha Patel writes….Throughout my life, I have spent countless man-hours explaining my building’s name to people - Talati Terrace. In a pool of new age, greek-god inspired Bombay building names and old school ones like Laxmi Niwas, Talati Terrace...
Chennai and its old Parsi flame

Chennai and its old Parsi flame

Its legacies far outnumber this fast-dwindling community with two centuries of ties to the city In North Chennai’s populous and noisy Royapuram area, the tranquil 104-year-old Jal Phiroj Clubwala...

Parsis and their cars

Parsis and their cars

Why are Parsis into cars? Why do their prized possessions enjoy a unique brand equity in India? We meet a few Parsis to learn about their passion for their mechanical mistresses. From the archives:...

Persepolis – The Lost Worlds

Persepolis – The Lost Worlds

One of the impressive locations of the ancient world, Persepolis was burnt and destroyed by Alexander the Great in 330 BC and lay forgotten for over 2000 years. This film travels to Iran to bring...

Prominent Parsis of Karachi

Prominent Parsis of Karachi

The below is a short compilation of some of the prominent Parsis of Karachi, Pakistan. This write up was compiled and forwarded by Phil Masters of Canada. Baba-e-Karachi "Jamshed Nusserwanjee...

The Parsi baugs of Mumbai

The Parsi baugs of Mumbai

Kaizad Bhamgara takes a closer look at some of the popular Zoroastrian settlements in the city and discovers that they are a lot more than just places to live for this closely-knit community. With...

A community poise: The Bngalore Parsis

A community poise: The Bngalore Parsis

he sun is at its peak, and so is the city’s maddening rush on the roads. The traffic policeman, who takes refuge under the shades of myriad trees that adorn the premises of the Fire Temple, is...

Amitav Ghosh on Navsari

Amitav Ghosh on Navsari

Amitav Ghosh the famous Indian writer was recently in Navsari for the Conference organized to celebrate the 140th Anniversary of The First Meherjirana Library in Navsari. He has some interesting...

A treasure trove for antique lovers

The Parsi community paper has ads on old items for sale Relic hunters, collectors, dealers and researchers search a weekly newspaper for antiques By Prabhat Sharan | Deccan Herald They are objects...

Dome Sweet Dome: Contractor House, Vadodra

Dome Sweet Dome: Contractor House, Vadodra

Renowned Parsi lawyer and philanthropist Jeru Contractor's grand old mansion, located on Vadodara's RC Dutt Road, may not be formally labelled as a heritage building, but it is definitely a part of...

Parsi enclave wins UNESCO award

A good-hearted initiative by the Parsi community to preserve its old architecture while securing the housing needs of poor members has earned it international recognition. By Bella Jaisinghani | TNN...

Flashback: Like sugar in milk

Flashback: Like sugar in milk

Gulbano Bamji talks to Moniza Inam about her golden childhood in Quetta: Legend has it that when the Zorastrian king of Persia, Yazedird, was defeated in the Battle of Nehavand, many Parsis fled...

Thread Bare: The Art of Kusti Weaving

An unusual book on the weaving of the sacred thread worn by the Parsis adds to the craft revival stories in India Few, even among textile conservationists, would imagine a book deconstructing kusti,...

Do Parsis lack a proper sense of history?

Our good friend Dinyar Patel asks a very valid and pertinent question Do Parsis lack a proper sense of history? It is a question that I have often wondered while traveling and conducting research...

Remembering Parsi greats on Navroze

Remembering Parsi greats on Navroze

Today Parsi’s celebrate Jamshedi Nauroze and will engage in celebrations, largely featuring good food and drink. They are possibly the smallest but most visible Indian minority. You will find a...