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The exhibition "A Zoroastrian Odyssey — From a glorious past to a promising future” organized by Frohar Foundation was mounted at Allbless Baug from April 18-21, 2013. Ervad (Dr) Ramiyar Karanjia, who is closely associated with the annual event, said that this is not a static exhibition but a dynamic one for though one may see the same things year after year, each time one module is in focus, mentions a write-up received by Parsiana from Ervad Cyrus Dastoor, head of the Foundation.
Showcasing the history of the Iranian kings and continuing till the arrival of Parsis on the shores of Sanjan in India, the exhibition also dwelt on rituals like the jashan, navar and maratab ceremonies, vendidad, muktad, dakhmenashini (with a model of the dakhma) and navjote and wedding ceremonies. New additions this year centered round King Darius the Great. A model of the monarch and a large three dimensional model depicting the Naqsh-e-Rustom attracted many visitors. Stories from the Shahnameh were displayed along with a statue of the poet Ferdowsi Toosi, courtesy the Iran League, the write-up reveals. Parsika — Volumes I and II, created by the Foundation and Khareghat Colony Youth Association, containing handmade charts by religion scholar Noshir Daboo of Ahmedabad, were also on display. Stalls selling a variety of Zoroastrian artifacts, clothes, eatables, books, etc were an added attraction.

 

 

After Dastur Khurshed Dastoor of Udvada inaugurated the exhibition, Karanjia walked the guests through, explaining the significance of the exhibits in detail. Mithoo Jesia led everyone to the open area where students of the Dadar Athornan Institute led the humbandagi and sang monajats. Some highlights from the Foundation’s the tele-serial Humata, Hukhta, Hvarshta were also shown. Khurshed Dastoor’s short but trenchant speech was appreciated and the evening concluded with a performance by the girls of New Activity High School.
The next day was crowded with contests. The Cook Off competition drew nine contestants and was judged by chefs Shahzad Variava and Jehan Sarkari. After sampling the results, the judges declared Jeroo Poncha winner, with Behroze Khandadia in second place. There was a tie between Dinaz Irani and Roshan Umrigar for the third slot. The Parsi Attire contest was conducted in two parts — for those under 12 years and for those over that age — with 15 contestants in each part. It was judged by Zenobia Daver of ZS Creations and Hufriya Bhiwandiwala, Miss India participant of 2005. In the junior league Vyom Buhariwala and Zeus Navalmanek tied for first place, while there was a tie between Benaifer Iranpour and Farhang Driver for the second place. Among the seniors Dinaz Patel and Anahita Hakim tied for the first spot while Kainaz Kalyaniwala and Karishma Katpitia tied for the second. The contests were interspersed with dance performances — a ballet and laavni by Parinaz Guard and a performance choreographed by religion teacher Roxanne Desai.

 

 

 

An inter-religious dialog was held on the morning of April 20 in which scholars from various faiths were invited to speak on "Concept of soul in each religion.” An introductory address by Dr Homi Dhalla, whose contribution to the global inter-faith movement has been widely acknowledged, was followed by talks on Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism while Karanjia spoke on Zoroastrianism. The session was presided over by Dastur (Dr) Peshotan Mirza of Udvada.
Navars and maratabs ordained in 2011-2012 were felicitated by the Rustom Baug Association, with Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) and World Alliance of Parsi Irani Zarthoshtis (WAPIZ) trustee Yazdi Desai and his wife Anahita, chief executive officer of WAPIZ giving away the awards. Present were Ervads Asphandiar Dadachanji, Parvez Bajan and Keki Ravji as well as  BPP chairman Dinshaw Mehta and his wife Pansy. The inaugural prayer was recited by nine-year-old Ervad Rooyinton Mehenty who has completed his training as maratab at a very young age. Karanjia gave an encouraging talk to the young initiates to the priesthood. An initiative of Kumi Daroowala, president emeritus of the Rustom Baug Association, the occasion saw 37 young priests taking home handsome trophies and cash awards. Zoroaster medallions in memory of Keki Kerawalla were presented to all navars and maratabs. Prizes were sponsored by WAPIZ, a Khuda Parast Zarathushti who donated Rs 50,000, the Desais who gave Rs 60,000, The Rustom Baug Association and Hafeez Contractor who donated Rs 25,000 each as well as the Zoroastrian Winter Relief Fund, mentions the write-up. The event was conducted by Hutokshi Irani with help from Zarine Bahmani and Perviz Sholapurwala.

 

 

 

 

Immediately after the prize distribution, Rustom Baug’s Super Silvers performed their "happy music” followed by an all Parsi antakshari competition led by Cyrus Pooniwalla and Adi Pardiwala. With a total of eight teams and enthusiastic audience participation as well, the Rustom Baug team bagged first place followed by the Bharucha Baug team and the Super Silvers came third.

 

 

 

Zarine Commissariat was compere for the final day which began with a performance by the girls of Avabai Petit School and music by Johan Daruwala. Students of the Jer Baug Frohar Class enacted a bawa wedding scene on stage. Chief guest Mirza was felicitated as were BPP trustee Arnavaz Mistry, community activist Cmde Aspi Marker and trustee of Lalbaug’s M. J. Wadia Agiary Kersi Limathwalla, followed by performances by Delna Mehta, the Jer Baug Frohar Group and songs by Thea Shroff who is in the process of creating her own album with lyrics and music composed by her. The four-day event ended with dinner catered by Yasmin and Adil Bhesadia.
The exhibition was co-sponsored by Godrej Industries and the Pirojsha Godrej Foundation along with supporters like Gursharam Singh of Mini Punjab, Feroze Sethna of Feroze Foods, Cyrus Irani of Yazdani Bakery in Girgaum, the Bhesadias, trustees, management and staff of Allbless Baug, especially Roshan and Percy Lentin. Jam-e-Jamshed Weekly was media partner.