My father, Ervad Jal Sorabji Balsara, who died on September 7, 2025, was born on November 27, 1930 in Valsad. He lived a life rooted in faith, service and compassion, dedicating nearly seven decades to the spiritual and ritual needs of the Parsi community.
He studied at the Dadar Athornan Boarding Madressa from 1939 to 1945 to qualify as a sampoorna mobed (fully qualified priest). In his early years he performed high liturgical ceremonies at the Dadysett Atash Behram and from 1950 to 1958 worked as a boiwala at Calcutta’s Banaji Agiary.
Ervad Jal Balsara: a life of service
From 1958 till 2015, my father served at Bombay’s Doongerwadi, often praying beside the departed ruvans, regardless of the hour, earning only a meager amount to sustain himself. He also performed countless paidusts, uthamnas, charums and Srosh prayers, often free of cost for poor Parsis who were unable to afford payment for the ceremonies at Doongerwadi. He also officiated at weddings, navjotes, jashans, fareshtas and other religious rites as well as performing ceremonies like the aadaryan of the Mazgaon Batliwala Daremehr in 1968, the humayast in 1972 at the Wadiaji Atash Behram and seven nirangdin ceremonies.
His contributions were recognized with certificates of appreciation from the World Alliance of Parsi Irani Zarthoshtis, Nariman Dubash and the Athornan Mandal.
But beyond his priestly duties, my father was a deeply loving and lovable soul, known for his sociable nature. His mottos, which he also inculcated in me, "work is worship” and "life is duty,” were not just beliefs but an essential part of him.
He could not have fulfilled his spiritual calling without the support of my late mother, Freny, who stood by him throughout. Her quiet strength and devotion enabled him to serve the community, often at the cost of family time. We sacrificed outings and celebrations, knowing that his heart was committed to helping others.
His legacy lies not only in the rituals he performed, but in the many lives he uplifted — including the young priests he mentored with patience and care, the family he cherished and the Parsi community he served with devotion and grace.
It would be a fitting tribute to his memory if the trustees of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet were to place his photograph in the Doongerwadi bunglis where he served with dedication and reverence for so many years.
RASHNA VISPY ARDESHER
rashna.ardesher@in.ey.com