Originally published on PLANET POWAI [Article Link] The renowned site where Powai Lake stands known as Framaji Kavasji was Powai Estate. It was in 1890 that the Britishers dug out the lake at a cost of Rs 6.5 lacs which was given to one Dr Scott in 1799 on payment of yearly rent of Rs… Continue reading Powai’s ‘Parsi’ Connection
Month: August 2007
A World Of Silence
A friend recently attended the last journey of a Parsi friend and noted how a Parsi funeral was so peaceful, had a sense of calm, but in the same breath she wondered whether this kind of ‘quiet’ could actually lead to catharsis. Her worry made me wonder, has the occasional ‘awkward silence’ graduated to acquire… Continue reading A World Of Silence
Ancient Persian influence on Hinduism
Ruby Lilaowala | Friday, August 17, 2007 10:28:58 IST The Aryan settlers who lived in Persia and later, in India, had a lot in common by way of phonetics, language, spirituality and reverence for nature… Hinduism pertains to Hindus but the word Hindu itself is actually a Persian word coined by Cyrus the great in… Continue reading Ancient Persian influence on Hinduism
Zoroastrian Fires and Temples
Standing before a sacred fire, Zoroastrians pay homage to a creation that represents life and the power of Ahura Mazda. There are three kinds of sacred fires in Zoroastrianism, each standing for one sector of ancient society: Atash Dadgah, Adur Aduran, and Atash Behram. Atash Dadgah is associated with the householder class and burns in… Continue reading Zoroastrian Fires and Temples
Stalwarts of Our Past: Dadabhai Naoroji
Dadabhai Naoroji (1825-1917) At some point, his picture stared out from our history textbooks. A bespectacled man with a stiff Parsi hat, Dadabhai Naoroji was the Grand Old man of India. He was the first man publicly to voice the demand for swaraj in 1906. Naoroji felt British misrule in India was the result of… Continue reading Stalwarts of Our Past: Dadabhai Naoroji
FTII Award for Parsi Themed Film
Parsi Wada, Tarapore — Present Day, a film that talks about the present and future of the Parsi community in Mumbai, has won cameraman Paramvir Singh the award for Best Cinematography (Rajat Kamal and a cash prize of Rs 10,000). The movie, which presents a lyrical depiction of the decadent Parsi community, has been shot… Continue reading FTII Award for Parsi Themed Film
Stereotyping Parsis
It’s often the quirks of a community that become its identity and set it apart from the rest. But with India becoming so globalised, are we still that ethno-centric? Yes, says Homi Adjania, the director of Being Cyrus. The quirks of a community are often a tool for incorporating humour in a film. But sometimes… Continue reading Stereotyping Parsis
