KOLKATA: The cremation of a Parsi against his family’s wishes earlier this month has created a furore within the community and focused attention on the practices and rituals that it has zealously protected for centuries. Article by Jayanta Gupta | Times of India Fifty-five-year-old Maneksha Bhesania passed away on October 4 and his ageing mother… Continue reading No Pall Bearers in Kolkatta, Parsi man denied ritual farewell
Month: October 2017
Meet the Most Sustainable Chef in NYC: Jehangir Mehta
Our dear friend Jehangir Mehta is named by the famed Michelin as NYC’s most sustainable chef guide.michelin.com | Oct 30th 2017 “I almost say you can compare umami to the first time seeing someone you really love,” says Jehangir Mehta, chef/owner of Graffiti Earth in New York City’s TriBeCa neighborhood. “You can’t really say it.… Continue reading Meet the Most Sustainable Chef in NYC: Jehangir Mehta
Sanaya Dalal: A Parsi Woman’s Perspective On Being Denied Basic Rights
“You knew what you were getting into.” “A child inherits his father’s name and religion, not his mother’s.” “Women with non-Parsi spouses will have their kids navjoted only to avail of housing and monetary benefits from our wealthy community trusts.” “Our religion does not allow intermarriage or conversion.” Article by Sanaya Dalal | NDTV “Recognising… Continue reading Sanaya Dalal: A Parsi Woman’s Perspective On Being Denied Basic Rights
A peek into Parsi tradition and culture at Expo in Kolkatta
If you’ve always wondered what lies beyond the closely guarded boundary walls of a Parsi fire temple, especially because tradition has it that a non-Parsi is not allowed inside, your curiosity is going to be satisfied. A Parsi agyari (fire temple), as it is called by the community, will be re-created as part of a… Continue reading A peek into Parsi tradition and culture at Expo in Kolkatta
Fire and State: Living With The Gods
Neil MacGregor continues his series on the expression of shared beliefs in communities around the world and across time. In this podcast he also speaks with our Vada Dasturji Khurshed Dastoor, the Head Priest of The Iranshah Atashbehram. Many societies have seen the mesmerizing phenomenon of fire as a symbol of the divine. Neil MacGregor… Continue reading Fire and State: Living With The Gods
Parsi Women Fight For Equality And Religious Identity
Should a Parsi woman be deprived of her religious identity and community rights if she marries outside her own religion? The Supreme Court has referred the matter to a 5-judge constitution bench and said the recent verdict on instant triple talaq may have a bearing on this case too as it boils down to a… Continue reading Parsi Women Fight For Equality And Religious Identity
Community, To Me: Maya Joshi
Community, To Me The smell of sandalwood and smoke dark and cool metallic shadows as familiar as an old friend The taste of a half remembered prayer, spoken through fumbling lips Joining the strong chant surrounding me Low whispers from papery mouths Ancient and irreverent to all but this moment The joy in the return… Continue reading Community, To Me: Maya Joshi
