PT’s Razvin Namdarian unveils the compelling and inspiring journey of Tinaz Nooshian – a trailblazing force in journalism and a passionate torchbearer of Parsi arts and culture. As former Editor-in-Chief of Mumbai’s leading daily – Mid-Day, Tinaz has long been a formidable voice in the media. Now, she spearheads the exclusive ‘Parsi Artistry Salon’, a prestigious platform that unravels the profound impact of China-Gujarat maritime trade on Zoroastrian artisanship – an exchange that not only shaped the craft but also steered the fortunes and the very destiny of the Parsi community.

It’s difficult to put a label on Tinaz Nooshian – she’s an intellectual who doesn’t fit the ‘nerd’ stereotype; she’s a journalist, but not in the typical sense of the profession; she’s a researcher who calls the library her ‘happy place’ but is a far cry from being a recluse… Perhaps, she could be best described as as a fearless maverick in media and a fierce champion of Parsi heritage and creativity, forging her own path with passion and purpose.

Early Influences

Tinaz grew up in Mumbai. Her father, an Iranian immigrant from Yazd, arrived in the city to work with his uncle when his family in Iran faced financial hardship. Through sheer determination, he eventually saved enough to run ‘Church Restaurant’, which he managed for several years, while forging partnerships in other establishments.

Her mother had a penchant for following Hindi cinema and opted to get Tinaz trained in Bharatanatyam (from the Vajifdar sisters), at a time when Parsi girls were typically learning ballet and the piano. “I did it for sixteen years and was performing since the age of six. Growing up, I was exposed to an oddball mix of influences – Bollywood and Hindi from Ma, Persian poetry from my father, and reading from my maternal grandfather — an Indian Railways staffer who’d spend Saturdays at J N Petit Library. “I must have imbibed my love for reading from him,” she avers.

Studying at the J B Petit school also made a huge impact. Tinaz reminisces, “I had wonderful teachers. Shirin Darasha, the then Principal, was the first feminist I must have met; she was independent and fearless. She’d help us through the daunting ICSE syllabus by taking a weekly class on art appreciation, showing us the works of the Impressionists and Cubists. This opened up a new world before me. So much of who you are has to do with your teachers.”

Inspired by her English teacher, Bubla Basu, Tinaz completed her junior college years in Rishi Valley School, before returning to Mumbai to graduate from St. Xavier’s college in History, Anthropology and Ancient Indian Culture. She also pursued a post-graduate in Social Communications and Media from Sophia Polytechnic helmed by Jeroo Mulla, learning under senior  journalists like P Sainath, Smruti Koppikar and Jerry Pinto.

Stepping Into Journalism

Tinaz’ foray into journalism, in the early 2000s when the likes of Nalini Singh and Prannoy Roy ruled the roost, was considered a “glamourous and fulfilling career.” As a young, budding journalist then, she says, “I was excited to tell the stories that had not been told.”

Her first stint with a local TV station helped her decide upon print journalism as her professional focus. She joined The Asian Age in 2001, recalling those as the ‘slog years’ but enjoying each moment, and moving up quickly from culture writer to heading her own team. In her early career, she moved to Mid-Day and then onto Mumbai Mirror. In 2015, she returned to Mid-Day as Deputy Editor and Editor of Sunday Mid-Day, and eventually took over as Editor-in-Chief of Mid-day. “As editor, my wish was for Mid-day to set the agenda for Mumbai every morning. We covered the city’s struggles with irreverence, took risks with bold headlines, questioned the establishment when it failed the people. But, we also celebrated its wins with warmth and happiness. We became the only single-edition newspaper to join the Top 10 English newspapers in India list, because back then, we put the reader first. That was quite a high!”

Crafting A New Chapter

Almost everyone who knew Tinaz was gobsmacked when she decided to step down as Editor-in-Chief of Mid-day, to pursue her passion for cultural and textile research, especially Zoroastrian material heritage, with the ‘Parsi Artistry Salon’. What caused the shift? Tinaz answers, “It was during Covid, where despite working long hours, I had the time and opportunity to be by myself and the tough questions began surfacing… I asked myself, is it enough to be an editor all my life?”

It was later, as creative advisor to ‘Aazol’, a brand that spotlights Maharashtra’s indigenous foods, that she chipped in with ideas for product curation and provenance documentation, brand design and content. Their aim was to work with women’s self-help groups and be the bridge between rural community cooking and urban dining.

“I realised that I was drawn towards working at the intersection of social enterprise and heritage. Maharashtra is hugely under-represented, and my love for textiles manifested in an ongoing personal documentation project to record the hand weaves and crafts of our state.

And then, Tinaz decided to look closer home, at textiles of her own community. Realizing that most knew little about them beyond the ‘gara’, she returned to her ‘happy place’ – the libraries of Mumbai, where she’d spend spare hours reading. Serendipitously, craft entrepreneur Rohini Jog and textiles market revivalist-curator Savitha Suri invited Tinaz to facilitate a small discussion on potent nostalgic memories around food and clothes. “I took along Parsi Dairy’s mava-ni-boi and highlighted the significance of the ‘ariz’ or fish in Zoroastrian needle-work or Zarthosti Douzi, in Parsi cuisine, and rituals.” The audience nudged her to host a full-fledged talk around Parsi embroidery and culinary practices. And thus, was born what Tinaz christened, the Parsi Artistry Salon.

This illustrated talk spotlights the journey of Zoroastrian embroidery across millennia and into India, with charming anecdotes of the China, England and Gujarat trade influence. Archival paintings, music, and food from Parsi kitchens, are her tools. The showstoppers: 19th-20th century heirloom textiles and accessories that she urges the audience to experience up close. The Salon has since been hosted by various venues including by the Crafts Council of Gujarat in Ahmedabad, the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts in Baroda, and in Mumbai at at ZJM Exports, and at the Asiatic Society’s Durbar Hall for one hundred guests!

The Path Less Travelled

So, what’s the plan, going forward? “I gave this a lot of thought. I spent hours meeting those who matter in the handloom universe – revivalists, artisans, social entrepreneurs, because this was alien terrain, a new world for me. I had to start from scratch; I was a student all over again. It’s mortally frightening but hugely exciting to shed your old identity and craft a new one!” says Tinaz. She’s however, kept her love for the pen alive and is currently editing a book on Chola architecture and its synergy with Bharatnatyam, and working on a project on South India’s handlooms. Tinaz is also the creative director for an architecture-led event scheduled for later this year, that celebrates the centenary of the Art Deco style.

Advice To Aspiring Journalists

“Don’t do it for the money; there isn’t much. You aren’t likely to match up financially to the school friend who did an MBA and became CEO. But it is satisfying, if you work for the right leader, and platform. Don’t chase media brands; seek out the people you want to work with instead — someone who will mentor, allow you the space to do honest work. Despite the challenges mainstream media faces today, there will always be room for engaging, credible storytelling,” advises Tinaz.

Tinaz may have temporarily stepped away from journalism, but she has reignited her deep-rooted passion for research. One thing is certain – her storytelling will continue to thrive. Armed with unwavering integrity, sharp insight and relentless curiosity, she will continue to craft narratives that inform, inspire and leave a lasting impact.