"It’s wonderful to see the two organizations of Nowroz Baug jointly hosting this program,” said retired Bombay High Court Justice Kathawalla, chief guest at Nowroz Baug’s 74th annual cultural entertainment program, Euphoria, held at the Sophia Bhabha auditorium on June 7, 2025. A write-up prepared by Rhea Dadinath was forwarded to Parsiana by Yasmin Engineer of the Nowroze Baug Play Centre (NPC).
Kathawalla was referring to the fact that after years of dialog the long-standing matter of the NPC and N. N. Wadia Welfare League (NNWWL) has been resolved and they have formally come together under a single united banner. The association will henceforth be known as the Nowroze Baug Play Centre Welfare League. This merger not only reflects administrative consolidation but also marks a new chapter in strengthening community initiatives with unity, efficiency and shared purpose, writes Dadinath.
President of the League, Homi Ustad welcomed Dinshaw Tamboly, chairman of the World Zoroastrian Organisation Trust Funds, Bombay Parsi Punchayet chairman Viraf Mehta and trustees Adil Malia, Hoshang Jal and Anahita Desai. Anil Kokil, corporator for the Lalbaug constituency, and Percy Siganporia from the Wadia Trusts were also present. Not only colony residents, but guests from across Bombay had come to cheer the over 100 talented performers.
From l, top row: Homi Ustad, Percy Siganporia, Viraf Mehta, Leanne Engineer, Anil Kokil,
Justice Shahrukh Kathawalla, Dinshaw Tamboly, Anahita Desai, Hoshang Jal, Adil Malia;
2nd row: pyramids; Kathawalla; Roozbeh Mamlatdar;
3rd row: children singing monajats
Photos: Kaizad Chinoy, Meher Studio
"The evening opened with a delightful burst of energy as the ‘Little Stars’ took the stage to sing a monajat. A heart-warming behind-the scenes video montage followed. Euphoria, the concept, was brought to life through a cleverly curated sequence of performances that explored the spectrum of human emotion. In a touching parent-child dance, the joy of generational bonding was gracefully showcased. This was followed by a series of dance and drama acts by children, each delving into a different emotional theme. All the dances were choreographed by Pearl Tirandaz,” writes Dadinath.
After singer Meheraaz Delkhah regaled the crowd with Taylor Swift’s Love Story, it was time for the pyramids, conducted this year by Hoshi Tampal of the NPC, assisted by Freddy Udachia and Perzon Porbunderwalla. This segment, hosted by Tabriz and Zanaida Bhiwandiwalla, was held in honor of Cyrus Siganporia, who had led the event for many years but was unable to attend due to injury. (Siganpora passed away on June 30.) Fifty individuals formed the first impressive pyramid, setting the stage for more daring feats. Uniforms for the pyramids segment were sponsored by Jeena and Company, while many well-wishers kept spirits high and stomachs full during rehearsals with delicious Parsi snacks and meals.
The speeches followed, with an address by Roozbeh Mamlatdar, president of the NNWWL. Leanne Engineer, the confident child president, dwelt on the vision of a "New India.” Kathawalla said it was "fitting that today we remember with reverence the lady whose philanthropy founded not just Nowroz Baug but several other baugs as well, the late Bai Jerbai Wadia, who felt that the community’s primary need was clean, healthy, living accommodation for the poor and middle classes. Nowroz Baug came into existence in 1908. We are blessed to have so many beautiful residential colonies… We have so much to celebrate and cherish as a community that we should not waste our time on negativity. Let us uphold and celebrate our Parsipanu and pass it on to the next generation.”