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In the beginning of the 20th century, Parsis had vast agricultural lands where besides farming, tapping of toddy was a flourishing business. Some Parsis had brick kilns and breweries distilling liquors for the Rajas.

The poor Parsis lived in huts on their small fields and traveled by bicycles and bullock carts. The well off had "havelis” — palatial bungalows, in the towns and traveled by horse-drawn tongas. A rain water harvesting system where rain water from washed roofs was chanel­lized to basement tanks was a feature in some of these large houses. This water was used for drinking throughout the year and remained cool even in summer. The houses were lighted with petromax and multiple kerosene lamp chandeliers han­ging from ceilings. Some famous families from Gujarat like the Dhanbhu­ras and Shroffs of Valsad, Mehtas of Navsari, Palias of Surat, Davierwalas of Sanjan, the Wadias and the Tatas later settled in cities and even abroad. Sons were taken into the family business or a new business was started for them. As soon as girls became 14-15 years of age, search for a suitable groom started. With servants in the house and nothing much to do, girls were taught knitting, crochet and embroidery and often even garas were embroidered at home. Girls were highly protected and always went out with a chaperon. As the youngest of 15 siblings, I was allowed to go swimming and play lawn tennis. 

There not being any entertainment in those days, Parsi dramas were popular. Parsi drama troupes visited cities and towns. Comedies were enjoyed the most. 

Navjotes and weddings were occasions celebrated for a number of days. Relatives from all over would come and enjoy. Navjotes were usually a three-day celebration while weddings, often a week long. The wedding mandap was set up eight days in advance to accommodate guests for meals. Garbas were very popular during both weddings and navjotes. There were some customs besides the engagement and madavsara which are now forgotten. "Ookardi-kookardi” was one of them. After doing sagan to the bride and groom, funny phrases, blessings and advice were whispered in their ears. For example, "May you have 20 children” or "Keep your spouse under your thumb,” etc. After this, thalis were beaten by guests playing pranks on the bride and groom while the family members threw water on these pranksters. Lagan na geet were sung, the most popular being Vahu avi ré. Atash na geet were sung after navjotes and during pre-wedding days. Navjote and wedding ceremonies took place in the mornings and the ashirwad was repeated after midnight. Even in baugs in the cities, ceremonies were held in the morning with an entire day of feasting: breakfast of sev-dahi and aleti-paleti, lunch with wine, tea with snacks and dinner with liquor.

Most Parsi homes had a fire burning 24 hours, 365 days. Prayers for the departed were chanted in the prayer room by visiting priests and family members. Goranis — ladies from mobed families — were employed by behdins to make the malido-papri, daran and such consecrated food items. The children were taught navjote prayers by the elders in the joint family. Even in the cities, funerals were held in homes and the body then carried to the Tower of Silence. 

Gahanbars were held in the memory of the dear departed by their heirs. All Parsis in the town would gather at the venue. Prayers for the peace of the soul of the departed were chanted before partaking of the meal. Trusts were created by families of the deceased and were entrusted to local anjumans to organize gahanbars. Previously, non-vegetarian dishes were served. Now, due to drop in the interest rate and inflation, income from different funds is collectively used and a collective gahanbar is held in the towns of Gujarat. Some anjumans in Gujarat and also in Poona still hold their own gahanbars. The rich and the poor all partook of the gahanbar dinner.

Coomi Cawas Engineer is the youngest of 15 siblings born to Goolbai and Rustomji Kava­rana. Last year there was a grand family reunion to celebrate her 90th birthday.