Parsi Lustre on Indian Soil by H. D. Darukhanwala. Published in 2017 by Parsiana Publications Private Limited, K. K. (Navsari) Chambers, 39B, A. K. Nayak Marg, Fort, 400001, email: info@parsiana.com; website: www.parsiana.com Pp: 805. Price: Rs 2,000.
Richly deserving of praise is this wholly satisfying reprint by Parsiana of a work long thought disappeared from 3,000 Parsi homes or tucked away in forgotten niches. Never having possessed a copy, but occasionally consulted a friend’s jealously guarded gem, 
I had no previous knowledge of H(ormusji) D(hunjishaw) Darukhanawala (pictured) or his wide-ranging literary output. This reproduction of Parsi Lustre on Indian Soil’s complete Volume I is all the more a commendable enterprise.
The editors have provided a suitably pertinent short Preface which includes an important thumb-nail of Darukhanawala’s life and career. And what a largely multi-faceted hero he turns out to be! It is sad indeed that Darukhanawala’s family could not be traced; perhaps so long an interval between original (1939) and reprint (2017) may yet turn up some reliable tid-bits of information.
Beautifully (re)printed with spruced up portraits and photographs, the volume includes all the original advertisements which doubtless materially helped Darukhanawala’s piecemeal endeavors. They too provide a sizeable slice of genuine Parsi history!
Senior Parsis whose opening ploys upon being urged to consult Darukhanawala — I on areas of their interest, start off with "Arré kaun sōdhva/vãčva jāi; arré kãi māthafōr karyé (Oh who will go to find/read; oh why should we break our heads)” and ruder world-weary expressions, now may just be prompted to open this Darukhanawala reprint. India and North America have published excellent monographs with more, one hopes, to follow. But Darukhanawala — I remains in a class of its own.
To further stress the importance of this 2017 Parsiana reprint, it should be recalled that attempts to record past Parsi greats extend from 1858 (Dosabhai Framjee), 1884 (Dosabhai Framjee Karaka — 2 vols), the captivating expansion by M. M. Murzban of Delphine Menant’s original study (1917) and the unique translation by Anthony Mango of Menant’s missing chapters (all three published by Jeroo Mango in the Danaï press). And now, welcome Darukhanawala — I. Need one say more?
On revisiting Darukhanawala — I, my enthusiasm was slightly dampened by the difficulties of use — especially when one is pushed for time. The thumb-nails on K. R. Cama (especially read today when his intimate friend, the patriot Dadabhai Naoroji, is happily resurgent!) and his devoted priestly colleagues remain flat. Some finely reproduced photographs do, however, jog our memories — thank goodness!
It has to be noted that "past glories” for most Parsis of a certain age mainly reflect those high achievers of yore: captains of industry, founders of great trading houses, brokers and factors, philanthropists, doctors, lawyers, and, of course, politicians. Educationists and social reformers seem ever to occupy a secondary affection. Through no fault of Darukhanawala’s, entries on these lesser greats frequently have a stereotypical appearance. The essays accompanying the majority thankfully have a fuller, authoritative stamp.
If ever there was room for the learned priests who instigated pioneering editions of the very socio-religious and secular texts on which our long-evolved intellectual culture rests, then chances are that they will be remembered for the most banal of reasons — a great shame upon us all. And yet, diligent explorers of Darukhanawala — I will be enabled to retrieve some positive aspects of this much neglected region of concentrated Parsi activity. Failing that, there are always the researches of Cama and his devoted circle of priestly and lay followers who indeed made Parsis great — but for details of their achievements we must look well beyond.