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A little child dressed as an astronaut, holding a cutout of an afarganiyu, moved in the direction of the logo at the inauguration of the 18th North American Zoroastrian Congress (NAZC) with its theme: "Generation Z: Propelling Zarathushti Resurgence.” "After seven years of planning, waiting, waiting and more waiting, the 18th NAZC is finally here,” from December 29, 2024 to January 1, 2025, noted the Congress brochure. For the Zoroastrian Association of Houston (ZAH) that had won the bid to host the Congress at the 2017 annual general meeting of the Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America (FEZANA), it turned out to be a long haul. Initially planned for 2020, Covid and thereafter the World Zoroastrian Congress in New York in 2022, compelled the ZAH organizing team to cultivate patience.   

  Top from l: Aderbad Tamboli, Boman Irani, Ervad Kayomarz Sidhwa; Sanaya Master; 

  above: Ervad Tehemton Mirza (2nd from l) with Houston priests

  

"May Ahura Mazda bless us with wisdom and courage for a successful Congress,” beseeched Ervad Tehemton Mirza, president of the North American Mobeds Council, standing before an afarganiyu as he led the 18 priests with him on the dais and the assembly in the recitation of the Atash Nyaish and other prayers. The transcript and meaning of the prayers were flashed on large screens on either side of the dais. Then followed soulful renditions of the US national anthem by Naushad Mehta and the Canadian by Shanaya Patel. Even while the lights had been switched off in the Legends Ballroom at the venue, The Royal Sonesta Houston Galleria in Texas, some of the tables around which the delegates sat were adorned with three illuminated candles or embellished with floral displays.

A captivating performance of "Visions of Paradise” saw 74 members of the Houston team, young and old, depict ‘Pairidaeza’ or Paradise, through vistas of different gardens. They started with the gardens in Persia from the time of Cyrus the Great and covered different regions: the Mughal gardens in Srinagar, the jardins in France… While scenes of the gardens or art created in that era were flashed on screen, replicas of the same visuals with identical costumes and nuances were depicted on stage with appropriate music and dances from that period. Due credit was given to Vehishta Kaikobad as the producer, director and choreographer of the 40-minute extravaganza. The production required "16 months of practice of which we fought for 15 months,” said the narrator in jest.

Houston council member Dr Letitia Plummer commended the Zoroastrian community’s "colorful spirit and generosity.” In her brief address, she let it be known that she had multi-ethnic origins, born to a Yemeni-Indian mother and an African-American father. In fact, she has Parsi blood too, her maternal grandfather being Farouk Behramji Karai. Her message to the delegates recalled that her maternal grandfather "was very dear to me. My fondest memories of him were those special Navroz celebrations where he shared traditions with us. I loved the cookies he offered but my favorite treat was always lagan nu custard. He was deeply committed to staying connected to his roots and traditions, and equally devoted to his family. (Music legend) Freddie Mercury, a member of our extended family, spent much of his childhood with my grandfather in Zanzibar prior to the revolution. These memories of my grandfather and his influence shaped my appreciation for the rich cultural and spiritual heritage of the Zarathushti community.” 

December 29 through January 1 being declared Zoroastrian Days in Houston by the mayor of the city, John Whitmire, Plummer read the proclamation, a portion of which stated, "The city of Houston proudly acknowledges the significant contribution of the Zoroastrian community to our city’s cultural diversity, innovation and spirit. We commend ZAH for organizing the Zoroastrian Congress and extend a warm welcome to all guests and attendees. We express our gratitude to all participants for their efforts in promoting a deeper understanding of Zoroastrian values and inspiring the next generation to uphold their rich legacy. The city encourages all Houstonians to join in recognizing and celebrating the achievements and contributions of the Zoroastrian community as they unite towards a brighter future and observe Zoroastrian Days in Houston.”

The Congress brochure further carried greetings from the governor of Texas Greg Abbott who remarked, "Texas is home to large populations from India, Iran and Pakistan. These valued community members bring with them diverse customs and traditions, enriching the Lone Star State’s cultural landscape and making innumerable contributions in fields as diverse as business, academia, medicine and the arts.” 

Aderbad Tamboli, ZAH president and co-chair of the Congress commented, "We are facing a population crisis; the spiral is hard to get out of. Yet 42% of the audience today are under the age of 40 years… Tradition ties the past to the future. Although it is believed that traditions are never changing, in reality they are evolving.” He referred to the Arab invasions that made our ancestors leave everything behind to save the faith for future generations. "They adapted, improvised and overcame challenges. We are here because of their efforts.” In the 20th century, the migrations to North America following the two world wars were very disruptive. "It is time to throw away the labels. We share the same goals; to protect and preserve the future… We need to unite and launch a new Zarathushti resurgence in the 21st century,” he added.

Enthused by the delegates who had registered for the Congress with "a deep sense of purpose and determination,” Ervad Kayomarz Sidhwa, FEZANA president and co-chair of the Congress, declared "We have the power — to change the community and rewrite the narrative of our faith. This Congress is a gathering of minds and hearts. Our theme of resurgence is a declaration of our intent to pass the torch to the next generation creatively and with resilience. To shape the community’s destination is our call to action. What legacy are we building so we can thrive for generations? When Zarathushtis come together, we lead, innovate and transform. We need to be audacious visionaries and passionate advocates with the goal forward being growth, learning and unity. We need to respect every opinion with zero tolerance for personal attacks. We cannot wait for circumstances to change otherwise circumstances will change us.”

As compared to the well-attended inaugural session that saw a large contingent of the young delegates, their absence was felt the next morning when Prof Miguel Angel Andres-Toledo, the FEZANA Professor of Zoroastrian Languages and Literature at the Department of Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations at the University of Toronto spoke on "O Youth of Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds and Good Religion: Young Zoroastrians from the Past to the Future.” Likewise, barring a few youth who are active on the FEZANA committees, the majority missed the "FEZANA Flight” when Sidhwa and FEZANA vice president Xerxes Commissariat, dressed as pilots, and their crew comprising committee heads shared news on the workings of 20 FEZANA committees in an interesting format as "in-flight information.” 

As noted Sidhwa in his message, "With FEZANA as the coordinating body for 25,000+ Zarathushtis in North America, every Congress is an opportunity to come together to celebrate, reset and resurge… Today the FEZANA family includes 27 member associations and 14 small groups in North America.”

Wit with wisdom

In keeping with the Congress theme and its accent on "Generation Z,” a double word play on the letter Z to denote Gen Z born after 1995 as also all generations of Z(arathushtis), the keynote speakers from two age groups were thespian Boman Irani, "the man and the legend,” and Sanaya Master who was conferred the Outstanding Young Zarathushti Award the next afternoon. 

Blending wit with wisdom, Irani shared anecdotes from his life’s journey, many of those recounted earlier elsewhere but underscoring the power of storytelling and cultural exchange in fostering resilience. An engaging raconteur, he revealed his transformation from "bicharo (hapless) Boman,” a posthumous, shy child who would stammer and stutter, faced dyslexia (impairment of ability to recognize and comprehend written words) and dyscalculia (impaired ability to learn grade appropriate mathematics), with a perpetual frown on his face, to "finding the stage” at a school production for he so loved the sounds, lights and audience. His mother Zerbanoo sent him for speech therapy and convinced him to see a movie every single day instead of nagging him with "lesson-paani kar (concentrate on your studies).” When he told his grandmother Goolbai that he wanted to become a waiter, she responded, "Mochi ban jé, but be the best mochi (be a cobbler if you choose, but be the best cobbler).” Urged Boman, "Empower your children; don’t make them do what you want.” 

When he went for an interview at the Taj Mahal Hotel in Bombay, and told the Parsi manager Sam Bhadha that he wanted to work at the Rendezvous, he was advised, "Drop the bloody accent… Go down to the basement and then make your way to the rooftop restaurant” which he did. Bhadha being present in the audience, Irani acknowledged how sage advice can change a person’s life.

From bicharo Boman he became "Boman seth” at the family’s Golden Wafers business. "Once you reach a comfort zone, there is a danger of taking it easy. You can taste the opium of success, but remain grounded. Don’t let success become more important than the job.” When his body would stink of ghee and potato, his wife Zenobia advised him, "Wear it as a badge of honor.” 

Mentioning that his grandmother had traveled on a donkey and sailboat to reach India, Boman recommended, "It is very important to know your roots.” Remembering the hardships that she encountered he learnt to "stop grumbling.”

He recalled his ambition to become a sports photographer and meeting Aspy Adajania, president of the Indian Boxing Association who counselled him, "know your bloody onions before coming to me.” Heeding this advice Irani started shooting as many boxers as he could. Impressing Adajania with his enthusiasm and drive, he was appointed official photographer for the next boxing meet even though he then had only a basic Alfred camera. "Don’t mock your resource. Never give up on people/resources. Don’t look at others, concentrate on your game.” These learnings remained with Boman, more so when he earned a windfall and his photos started appearing in foreign publications. 

His investment in a photography studio at Breach Candy was another instance of not doing his homework prior to starting a new venture. With no money at his disposal, he had to fall back on Zenobia’s  jewelry and confidence, urging him to chase his dreams of becoming an actor. His first three-minute role was that of a pimp. "There are no small parts; only small actors. Nothing is too small if you give it your all,” realized Boman. His next role was in the play I am Not Bajirao where as a 34-year-old he played a 75-year-old man, a show that ran for the next 10 years.

The importance of adaptability, learning to speak in Hindi were the other factors that helped him rise to popularity in Bollywood after the release of the low budget film Munnabhai MBBS. Although a flop on the opening weekend, it then went on to win acclaim with 10 nominations. 

Convinced that a Parsi is synonymous with "charity, success, trust, hard work, fun-loving and honesty,” he continued, "Where does all this come from? Our value systems, ethics.” As is his wont, after ending his speech Irani walked up and down the aisle singing I did it my way while many in the audience were happy to shoot and share videos of him singing.

"Spread light”

Leading the brigade of 30 youth speakers was Master, a communications and engagement consultant, founder of the World Zoroastrian Youth Leaders Forum  and co-chair of the FEZANA Unity and Welfare Committee. She spoke on "Igniting the Flame Within: Empowering Generation Z for a Zoroastrian Renaissance.” As per the program schedule, the lunch break was supposed to have started an hour earlier but she managed to quell the restlessness in the audience, starting with a meditation session. She urged the audience to "awaken the sacred fire that resides in your heart (a reflection of the fire in the afarganiyu), let it grow into a bubble of light until it reaches every single person in the room. We are divine, sovereign beings with power to create profound change. Our collective purpose is to spread light as far as possible.”

Remembering herself as a "shy, awkward teenager who had a fear of my voice being heard,” she realized that "within you is light that never goes out. Darkness is an invitation to light. Shine your light. Sacred leadership is not for a chosen few. Every interaction can embolden. Acknowledging how important "mentoring has been to my journey, she urged the youngsters to seek opportunity for voluntary work in North America and elsewhere. Right mentors, friendship and learning experiences can be found by dipping one’s toes or deep diving” into community work. The youth today have wonderful opportunities at programs such as the annual Return to Roots,  youth congresses or engaging with the committees of ZYNA (Zoroastrian Youth of North America), she urged.

She recalled her first trip from New Zealand to London when an innocent response that she would like to volunteer with gardening at the Asha Centre led the airport officials to keep her in the detention center for 12 hours and announce that they would deport her. Due to non-availability of a seat, and fiery phone calls from Asha Centre founder Zerbanoo Gifford, Master was permitted to proceed to her destination. She had learnt though that "the future of your community rests in your hands. Set aside your fears and self doubt. Never stop redefining what’s possible.”

Other sessions of the Congress will be covered in forthcoming issues of Parsiana.