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Madras is 380 years old and Madras Day only 15, but for the first time since celebrations were instituted, community members showcased Parsi culture. The Day (August 22 each year) is marked by lectures, film screenings and exhibitions themed around the city. "Multiple walks and talks (are held around the Day)… Different communities and cultures, important and obscure historical sites and events, all get their moment in the spotlight,” wrote businessman, philanthropist and president of the Madras Parsi Zarthosti Anjuman Darius Bahadurji.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Invited by Rajith Nair of The Traveling Gecko, a travel experiences company, to do a talk on the Parsis, they were "instantly ready,” noted Bahadurji.  To the 40+ members of the audience who assembled (outside) the 109-year-old Jal Phiroj Clubwala Dar-e-Meher, the talk on the basic tenets of the religion by Tehnaz Bahadurji and questions fielded by Ervad Bamanshah Vazifdar, the experience was "completely new… It was a good way to spread information about our minuscule community and our… religion,” Darius noted. At the Parsi Anjuman Baug, Madras Parsi Anjuman honorary secretary Zarin Mistry explained the history of the Parsis and their arrival in India and to Madras. She detailed the contribution of key community members to the "architecture and important civic works, the development of motor sports, art galleries, cinema houses” in the city. Tehnaz described some elements of Parsipanu: distinctive clothing, chalk, glass bead torans, the fact that we rejoice in our eccentricities, our tastes in food and drink, "and our essential joyfulness as a community,” noted Darius. 
The morning ended with "Breakfast with the Parsis,” catered by Mahiar and Zavera Shroff and hosted by the Bahadurjis. "We hope the guests will all become ambassadors for the Parsis.” The free event was booked almost as soon as it was announced, noted Darius. Nair has requested another session a few months down the line since he has dozens of people already wait-listed, he stated.