Within a year of calligraphist Perin Pudumjee Coyaji releasing her first coffee table edition of The Zarathushtrian 1001 Names of Ahura Mazda: Avestan Calligraphic Expression & English Translation, the Poona based artist has announced a second palm-sized book, on July 25, 2024. "It is ready for print,” she informed Parsiana. "Following the success of (the first) limited edition, the family ploughed proceeds therefrom into two projects close to their heart: a companion prayer book and an audio recording as a heritage project for the community,” she noted in an email to Parsiana. The recitation of the names is by opera singer Ervad Frazan Kotwal.
The 120-page book measuring 4.75” x 6.5” has been "elegantly designed” by Raju Gondhalekar under the guidance of senior consultant Zehra Tyabji, both of whom were involved in the first edition (see "What’s in a name?” Parsiana, September 21-October 6, 2023). "This booklet contains all the material in the first edition and is a small gem which can be used for daily prayers.” There is a barcode to access the free audio link to hear the 1,001 names being recited.
It was Perin’s husband Xerxes’s idea to rope in Kotwal. The singer’s"exceptional talent aside, he brought youthful vigor, devotional enthusiasm and touching humility to the project,” noted Perin. The calligraphist said Kotwal "faithfully, most respectfully and willingly” worked under the expert direction of Ervad (Dr) Rooyintan Peer who had advised her on the first book. Kotwal’s "knowledge of Avestan Staota, the law of vibration, which is the basis of our manthric intonation, was the foundation of this project,” she said.
Clockwise from above: "companion prayer book”
produced by Perin Pudumjee Coyaji with
Ervad Frazan Kotwal Photo: Oliver Röckle
When Kotwal secured the highest marks in his masters in opera at the University of Music, Stuttgart, his parents gifted him Perin’s coffee table book. "My mother mentioned that Perin wished to connect with me, which added significance to this gift… I was immediately on board, making it clear that I endeavor to do this as a service to my community… The project resonated with me, intertwining the teachings of my grandfather Ervad Kaikushru Kotwal who, during my navar and maratab training in Navsari, emphasized the importance of heartfelt prayer and the correct vibrations, which impacted my training and passion for opera,” he wrote in an email from Stuttgart. The singer said Peer guided him through the pronunciations for "two-three days” in January 2024 before he returned to Germany for scheduled performances. "I recorded every name on my phone and once back in Germany began practicing diligently… focused on 100 names at a time, meticulously repeating them after (Peer’s) recordings. This process was akin to learning an operatic role, requiring attention to detail and the nuances of each vowel and consonant.” Frazan had to ensure "that each name reflected its meaning and did not sound monotonous.” He began recording in May 2024, wearing his red topi!
Parsiana had interviewed Frazan in 2016 when he was about to commence his training (see "Conservatoire challenge,” Parsiana, August 7-20, 2016). "Stuttgart has been the perfect city for me to hone my skills … Over the past six years I have been embraced as a soloist, enabling me to build a successful career and sustain my livelihood through singing alone. I’ve performed in concert halls across Europe and in places where classical music is inaccessible such as jails, hospices and shelters,” the 31-year-old stated. Having sung lead roles such as the Count in The Marriage of Figaro, Dr Falke in Die Fledermaus, Jupiter in Orpheus in the Underworld, Frazan told Parsiana that he has been lead singer in the Czech Republic, the UK, and soon in New York, at the invitation of the Zoroastrian Association of Greater New York. "Giving back to the community, as our religion teaches, remains close to my heart.” Keen to perform in India, he is "confident that, like the Western audience, the Indian audience will welcome me with open arms.”
Perin stated that the audio project was "seeded three years ago in our consciousness.” The late Alakananda Ashok Roy who started India’s first spiritual-genre music production house called Inner Voice, was her go-to person, her mentor. "Her son Kshitij Nagvekar did the executive operations, understanding our requirements for recording these names. While other traditions have their Sahasranama (Sanskrit term which means 1000 names, attributes or epithets) acknowledged and available to the masses, we count ourselves blessed to have been able to present this spiritual treasure chest to our community,” Perin concluded.
The calligraphist informed Parsiana on August 12 that the recordings are available on YouTube and Instagram. When pointed out that this may eat into sales of her book, she said, "It’s spiritual so we go with that attitude...Never expected the first book to be so well received…Hopefully these miniature gems of the second edition will find their way to homes where they will be respected for their purpose of prayer and spiritual art, script revival.”
For enquiries and pre-booking (at Rs 1,000) contact Priti Jain, The Word Bookshop; tel: +919325323300; email: thewordbookshop@gmail.com. F. J.