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"Right through school and college, I was in the forefront of all activity. Social, cultural or sport, I always had all 10 fingers immersed in the pie,” states event manager Mehernavaz (Meher) Aria. Wedding planning, theater, musicals, corporate events, fashion, concept shows and artiste management, Hyderabad based Star Ventures has done it all. "No dream is ever too big, no dreamer ever too small,” is her mantra.
"Every event is first dreamt and then conceptualized before it finds its manifestation in material form. I live by this dictum and these were the thoughts in my head when I started Star Ventures in 1998 with my best friend and then partner Tanaz Sidhwa, née Wadia. It was a smooth transition from doing what started as a hobby and passion, which then turned into my full-time profession.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aria has done well over 2,000 shows. "One event has given me the next and the next. I truly believe that only your work must speak,” says Aria, who adds she has never advertised her services. "It is a great field, but not easy. Every event brings with it different kinds of stress and in different ways! It is always a challenge to overcome it…
"The events include an international concert with sitar maestro Anoushka Shankar for a social cause; an international horse racing event: The Invitation Cup hosted by the Hyderabad Race Club; a recent five-day big fat Indian wedding featuring 100 artistes; the breast cancer awareness walk and marathon for Dr P. Raghu Ram and the Ushalakshmi Breast Cancer Foundation; Shabana Azmi and Javed Akhtar’s play Kaifi aur main; a fashion show and achievements award for FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry); entertainment for a wedding reception at the Jag Mandir Palace Hotel in Udaipur; and the May Queen Pageant at the Secunderabad Club.”
Her first major event was a play produced by Alyque Padamsee, The Odd Couple. "I was always extremely passionate about theater and felt that it had to be our first venture. Right from sponsors to tickets, we did it all. It was a huge hit and it played to a packed house. Though we just about broke even, personally and professionally we were on a high. The rest is history. While we are all in it for the business, for me achieving excellence is paramount with no compromise on quality. Dedication, commitment and passion are vital ingredients for the success of any venture. Even after 17 successful years, I still get nervous and wired up before every show, hoping that everything goes as planned, because at the end of the day the client must be happy.
"Detailed planning and meticulous execution is the way to go and I strive to do just that. I have kept my business model rather simple and straight. I still function from home as I have found that it works for me and keeps the overheads under control. Though I have a great team, it is mid-sized but 100 people are a phone call away. My clients want to see me on site and I want the same and so I choose to do only as many shows as I can handle well. I am one of those who has the pulse on every small detail and executes from start to finish.”
 Aria credits Kaleidoscope, the International Zoroastrian Youth Festival in January 1988, for being "a literary and cultural meet, considered one of the finest events conducted at that time after which Star Ventures actually took off. It featured a melange of the most amazing shows, eminent speakers, Parsi art, culture and fashion.”
Aria’s mother Jeroo Parakh comes from one of the oldest Parsi families of Hyderabad, the Italias. Her maternal grandfather Dinshawji Italia was a businessman, landlord, philanthropist and a Member of Parliament. Parakh has been an educationist for the last 40 years and runs one of the foremost Montessori schools in Hyderabad. Her late father Shapoor was a key resource provider with IBM in its first stint in India in the late 1960s-early ’70s. He later returned to Hyderabad to take over the family business of steel and metals. He passed away in 1989. Brother Sarosh is a businessman settled in Hyderabad and dealing in real estate. Kerfegar Aria, Meher’s husband, is in the confectionary business. Son Daanesh is currently pursuing acting with the Anupam Kher Academy in Bombay and aspires to become an actor. A keen sportsman, he plays badminton and basketball at the club level and has won several medals and championships.
Meher has played badminton at the regional and state level. At the age of 17, during her intermediate years, she joined the Leo International Movement and was made president. At 20, she was Rotaract president. At 24, Aria became secretary of the Zoroastrian Youth League in Hyderabad. Always seeking a challenge, she spearheaded several interesting events of international standards — social, sporting and cultural — which are remembered even today.
She is the first to admit, "Not once did I ever think it would translate into a profession,” as she was busy pursuing her training as a company secretary. "I am one who always believes in the power of education. However, Star Ventures happened in 1998 when I realized that it was time to go professional. It was something I loved and wanted to do forever. I started functioning from my mother’s bungalow as I thought it would be good to keep overheads low and it worked out fine…
 "Social work has always been a significant part of everything I have done and I share my expertise and time with several social causes that empower the girl child and work for the cause of the differently abled,” she elaborates.
 "I truly believe that the Parsis are a magnificent people. Our ability to adapt to any environment, our large hearted nature and dedication to charity is a huge part of our culture. We are outspoken, courageous and stand up for what we believe in. We are strong and self-reliant. We may be small in numbers but always make a significant impression wherever we go. We are dedicated. Zoroastrianism, to me, is humata, hukhta, hvrashta (good thoughts, good words and good deeds) and I truly endeavor to practise the three in my daily life.”