The Creators: Of course, there have been Parsi artists who have left their mark on the canvas of Indian contemporary art and who are a part of the celebrated Sir JJ School of Art alumni, the most prominent amongst them being Jehangir Sabavala. He could be credited with bringing the cubist style of painting into […]
When you are part of an audience for any type of performance of Western Classical Music, it is likely that it consists of a fairly large number of senior members of our community. I have often argued that Western Classical Music has withstood all forms of competition from regional music and in the words of that fine music […]
They say that three things are constant in life – Death, Taxes and Change. Regardless of the community, these three elements are present in every individual. Now, let’s attempt equating these three constants with the Parsis… Death? Way into our nineties only! Taxes? Always on time, sometimes even before needed – we’re all too honest! […]
Be it New Year or birthdays, the accompaniment to dhan-daar is usually macchi no patio or tareli macchi. You go to Udwada on a pilgrimage and it would not be deemed complete if you were not served the boi for lunch or dinner. At weddings or Navjotes, there are the saas ni macchi enthusiasts and […]
“My little Winston has stopped eating!” Mrs. Soonawalla wailed at me over the phone. “I’ve tried to feed him everything and even by hand, but he just doesn’t eat his food! He will die of starvation!” Fussy eating in dogs is a common problem and one that can be easily sorted out, I told her, as […]
Parsis landed in India about 1200 years ago. The exact date of landing differs amongst scholars but that is not important. After the sugar and spice, and all that’s nice sort of episodes, we were allowed to stay in the kingdom of Sanjan, but with a rider, rather four riders – one of which was, […]
In my last article I wrote about the pleasures of camaraderie and lifelong friendships that are built around record collectors. Sometimes, many beginners get a bit intimidated by what they feel is the cost of acquiring sufficiently good equipment to play their precious records. In this article, I would like to allay any such anxiety and share with you how […]
Last month I spoke about how joy of music, when shared with likeminded companions, heightens its enjoyment, just as a gourmet meal eaten by yourself is not half as enjoyable as when imbibed with sympathetic gourmands. Some of the oldest friendships, that I was privileged to share, were with record collectors and music loving friends. We spent […]
Great music, whether Indian, Chinese or of other countries specific to its traditional forms, has existed for centuries. But it mainly survived in its country of origin, with a smattering of pockets where the immigrants carried a little bit of their culture as comfort nostalgia. Ancient civilisations of Japan, China, India, et al, take immense pride in […]
Natasha Lalla is one of the few talented artists in the world who paints the canvas with only her fingers. Currently on display at the Cosmic Heart Gallery, her series, ‘Parallel Realities’ focuses on the ‘realities’ that unite and circumnavigate the pattern of colourful swirls. Exploring her works, Natasha says, “To me, it is enormously […]
Parsi, thy name is charity” is a common expression that probably traces its roots to the time of the British Raj. No less a person than Mahatma Gandhi has acknowledged, “I am proud of my country, India, for having produced the splendid Zoroastrian stock, in numbers beneath contempt, but in charity and philanthropy, perhaps unequalled, […]