Not only did 20-year-old Delzeen Damania win the coveted crown of May Queen (MQ) 2016, she also walked away with the titles of Miss Talented and Miss Photogenic. Her booty comprised Rs 65,000, a complimentary night’s stay at Vivanta President Mumbai by Taj, hampers and prizes galore. At a glitzy evening on April 30, 2016 at the Rustom Baug lawns 13 bawa beauties sashayed the ramp to showcase their beauty and brains.
Naira Mistry (20), the first runner-up too won triple crowns. Her Beautiful Body and Glowing Skin bagged her two additional titles. She took home Rs 50,000, a meal voucher from Vivanta President Mumbai by Taj, plus hampers and gifts. In third place was Vahista Anklesaria, winning Rs 20,000, a meal voucher and gifts. Behnaz Pherozeshah won the title of Beauty with a Heart. The Miss Vivacious title was won by Zeenia Irani of Poona. Seventeen-year-old Roshni Fulwadiwalla was Miss Beautiful Smile while Indore’s Maharukh Poonegar’s tresses earned her the Miss Beautiful Hair title. Parinaz Mistry, all of 19 years, was the favorite of the audience clinching the Viewer’s Choice Award. Each winner received a surprise gift from Eye Candy, a high end store at Kemp’s Corner, thanks to designers Pinky and Sheshank.
(Clockwise, from top): May Queen 2016 contestants with winners Vahista Anklesaria, Delzeen Damania and
Naira Mistry (4th, 5th and 6th from left) and comperes; Gary Lawyer; judges in front row, with audience
All title prizes are sponsored in memory of the late Jimmy Anklesaria, while the sub title prizes are sponsored by Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) trustee Viraf Mehta. The main sponsors for MQ are the BPP and Union Bank, with the World Zoroastrian Organisation Trust Funds, Hilla Builders, Parle, Zoroastrian Bank, Bank of Baroda, Vijaya Bank and the Sheila Raheja Institute of Hotel Management too providing financial assistance.
Mehernaz Dhondy, editor of Gracia (Europe’s most popular style magazine), Bollywood and fashion choreographer Rajeev Khinchi, dance choreographer Devang Desai, TV actor Marina Kuwar, grooming instructor of Miss India Rukhshana Eisa and model cum Bollywood actor Vikas Varma were the judges.
Singer Gary Lawyer kicked off the evening by serenading the audience with Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra numbers. Feriyar Mistry sang Hindi and English songs after which the stage sizzled to electric dances choreographed by Pearl Tirandaz and Merzi Anklesaria.
Homiyar Shroff, president of the Sir Ness Wadia Memorial Pavilion (SNWMP), organizers of this extravaganza, said: "A thing of beauty is a joy forever. May Queen is truly a joy, truly beautiful… We have today an indulgence for your eyes, hearts and bellies and promise you an evening of fun, food, frolic, fiesta and fashion.” The evening was compered by Burgis Taraporevala and Zeenia Wadia. Results of the contest were audited by V. S. Dastur and Company, chartered accountants. Community caterer Jimmy Gadiwalla provided the repast, tickets for which were priced at Rs 400. The entrance fee was Rs 150, while entry to the VIP enclosure was Rs 300.
The managing committee with Shroff at the helm assisted by Anosh Munshi, Khushro Contractor, Xerxes Dastur, Yazdin Mistry, Tirandaz, Yazad Karai, Nozer Tantra, Zubin Mehta, Wadia, Sharmin Doomasia and Behram Aderbad, guided participants through a 10-day grooming session conducted at Rustom Baug where specialists in various fields shared their expertise.