As a prelude to eight-day Persian festival in Mumbai, the grandeur of the Persian empire is being re-awakened by the city architect Jimmy Mistry in the heart of the metropolis. It intends to reintroduce present generation Parsis and the general people to the rich cultural heritage of the empire.
Mistry, who is a Paris, conducted research on the history of the empire before embarking on this endeavour. His effort is going to yield fruit on Friday at the Navjote, initiation of a Parsi child into the Zoroastrian religion. Mistry’s eight-year old daughters will also initiated on the same day.
The endeavour is borne out of personal interest of Mistry, who wants to familiarise the masses with the rich Zoroastrian culture. Hence, he planned colossus sets, depicting the grandeur of the empire. It will be displayed at the Colaba Agiary, which will be attended by the country’s top shots. Mistry has personally designed all the sets.
Over 2,000 guests are expected to attend the function. Even the invitations are thoughtfully designed. It is a dye-cut Susa Cups, used by the influential people during the Persians empire.
A delightful array of Parsi food and Persian cuisine, to be cooked by chefs specially flown in from Iran, will add to the majestic ambience.
There’ll be performances of traditional Persian dances. The acoustics have been planned not to conflict with one another allowing each area of the “baug” (a Zoroastrian colony) to have a unique ambience that allows the guests to experience a variety of authentic Zoroastrian, Parsi, and Persian culture.
The Ceremony on Friday is for select invitees, but the festival for general public will begin in May.
Parsis have descended from Persian Zoroastrians and emigrated from Persia (modern Iran) over 1,000 years ago, to ‘escape’ persecution after the Islamic conquest.
However, Parsis no longer have social to Persia, and do not share language or recent history with them. The Parsis have integrated themselves into Indian society while maintaining their own distinct culture.