The following is a write-up submitted by Dr. Arnavaz Havewala
Silloo Aunty, as she was affectionately, was a well-known actor.She has acted in several English Movies – ‘TRYING TO GROW’ Produced by BBC and a Documentary Movie “THE LAST DANCE” Directed by Mr. Akshay Roy(which was shown on NDTV 24 X 7 for three consecutive days and acclaimed by the renowned Director Mr. Mahesh Bhatt).
Mrs. SILLOO PARVEZ MAHAVA 3rd March 1938 to 11th July 2010.
She has also acted in Hindi Films : “BLACK” Directed by Mr. Sanjay Leela Bhansali. ‘KALYUG’ & DHOKA’ Directed by Mr. Mahesh Bhatt., ‘Mr. Ya Mrs.” Directed by Mr. Ram Gopal Verma .”NO SMOKING’ , Percy etc.
Hers was a well-known face in commercial ads, having done about 22 – 25…e.g. Close – Up , Tata Sumo, ESPN WORLD CUP, Onida T.V. etc. and recently TATA A.I.G. Appy, Feeze & Real Twist Juice etc.,
She has featured in a Music Album too and was a Radio Artist on “ALL INDIA RADIO’ – MUMBAI
She has been part of various T.V. Serials.
She was one of the seniormost artistes on the Parsi Gujarati Stage and has acted in more than 25 plays.Some of them are:
Pakkaddao.
Harishchandra Bijo.
Naas Bhaag.
Jooth Bole Kauva Kate.
Dukhiari Dinoo.
Have Mane Joi Lev.
Pevitra Perin Pankheroo Pyasu Premnu.
Masini Mehra. Aay Karastan Konnu?.
Chalo Jher Paiye.
Bairi Mari Mohabbat Tari.
Aav Bala Pakad Gala.
Bye Bye Dear Line Clear
Sharda
In the year 1999, she toured U.S.A. with “PADMRAJ PRODUCTION” for three months with the play “SHARDA”.
The plays she did for television are
Dillagi. Silloo Ni Birthday Party.
Gher Jamai. Kabhi Idhar Kabhi Udhar.
Ahankar. Var No Zapato Ne Bairi No Sapato.
Captain House. Firoze Ni Fair Lady.
She has directed plays, skits and musical programmes for Lions & Rotary Clubs of Mumbai and for School & Religious Institutes.
She was Production In –Charge & Public Relations Officer for FROHAR FILMS,the producer of the teleserial titled "HUMATA HUKHTA HVARSHTA” on the Zoroastrian Religion, Culture an way of life.
She was also equally famous as a social worker.Over the past twenty years she had been doing work for several Associations.
She was ‘President’ of ‘YOUNG RATHESTARS’ a Social Welfare Trust.
She was on the Managing Committee of “WORLD ZOROASTRIAN ORGANISATION” (INDIA), “MUNCHERJEE EDULJEE JOSHI MEMORIAL TRUST” – MATRIMONIAL BUREAU and their EDUCATION FUND.
She was a Member of ‘SENIOR CITIZEN OF FIVE GARDENS DADAR, WADALA, MATUNGA and also of NAVI MUMBAI.”
Her activities involved her with arranging (Annual) Gambhar where 550 – 600 poor and needy are fed with sumptuous and Nutritious afternoon meals free of cost,collecting donations and utilizing the same for the distribution of food grains, provisions to poor ZOROASTRIAN families in Mumbai and also helping poor Farmers in Gujrat by rehabilitating them in modest forms of livelihood, giving them Medical Aid and help them in modest forms of livelihood, giving them to become self –reliant,organizing ‘BLOOD COLLECTION DRIVES’ for Hospitals.
In 1991 she took and active part in Organizing ‘PARSIKA’ – THE ZOROASTRIAN STORY’, to mark the celebration of the 75th Anniversary of The K.R. Cama Oriental Institute in Collaboration with “The Prince of Wales Museum of Western India”.
Her zest for living, her forgiving and kind nature, her immense involvement in all her work, may it be small and unimportant, may it be for the poorest of the poor, her love for all those around her, her sympathy and help to every person who came to her for help, in short, her "Sillooness" , as I would put it…are unique.
We shall miss her.
There will never be another Silloo Auntie.