From the early 19th century to the mid-20th century, Parsi authors and thinkers have contributed considerably to Gujarati literature and culture. The role of public figures like Dadabhai Naoroji and Pherozeshah Mehta; authors Behramji Malbari and Ardeshar Khabardar; journalists Bomanjee Byramjee Patel (of Parsi Prakash), and Furdoonjee Murzbanjee (of Mumbai Samachar); theater personalities Kaikhushru Kabraji and Adi Marzban; researchers Jehangir Sanjana and Ratan Marshal; actor-directors Burjor and Ruby Patel; and photographer Homai Vyarawalla, to mention only a few, has been crucial to the overall cultural life of India and specifically of Gujarat. However, in the 21st century, one has not been able to fully engage this energy to enhance Parsi literary cultural discourse in the Gujarati language.
The long and distinguished tradition of Parsi thinkers and authors writing in Gujarati on culture and literature has diminished. We wish to revive the contribution of the Parsi community in intellectual and cultural discourse in Gujarati through the Parsi Pavra initiative of the Gujarati Sabha.
We invite Parsis of all generations and callings to write in Gujarati, not only on the past glories of the community, but also on contemporary Gujarati, Indian and global cultures. We would like to know how contemporary Parsis of all generations perceive life and would publish the best of their critical writings in Gujarati. (Our journal does not publish creative writing, poems, short stories etc.) Our quest is to locate such writers from the vibrant contemporary Parsi community.
Aban Mukherji, a Parsi author and translator whose work has earned respect among Gujarati and English speaking readers, has been helping us. Her work has been in English so far, but at our request she has begun to write in Gujarati and some of her insightful and engaging writings have been appreciated by Gujarati readers, critics and authors.
Please contact the undersigned with any submissions or queries. SITANSHU YASHCHANDRA
Farbas Gujarati Sabha, Bombay
sitanshuy@gmail.com