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What’s On – Monthly Newsletter from Karachi Zarthosti Banu Mandal – June 2026

yazdi — Mon, 25 May 2026 08:59:49 +0000

Monthly Newsletter – from Karachi Zarthosti Banu Mandal

For circulation only to Zarthostis

June 2026

KZBM PROGRAMME: Next programme will be in August 2026

KZBM A&T Directory 2026

Following useful information – along with many other equally useful data – is in the above directory. Don’t miss out: get your copy!

Updating the directory was demanding work, which has been accomplished by Farahnaz Marker, with the support of Alla Rustomji, both Honorary Secretaries of KZBM. There may be some shortcomings in a task of this magnitude and meticulousness, and KZBM apologises for any errors or omissions. Nevertheless, the community thanks them for their dedication and hard work in providing us with a fresh edition.

Z-CLIP

PERVAIZ TARAPOREWALA’S ‘TRAUMA REDEFINED’

Many readers may recall Trauma Redefined by Pervaiz Taraporewala, published in February 2016, which received several appreciative reviews at the time. Hamazor also carried a detailed review that year, by Zara Bharucha.

For those unfamiliar with the book, it recounts a life-altering road accident Pervaiz suffered in October 2007. He wrote about this traumatic experience in the hope that “it serves as a warning: this can happen to anyone, and not everyone might be as lucky as I was to live to tell the tale. A split second is all it takes for fate to challenge you to a game of life and death.”

He further clarifies that the book “was never written with the intention of traumatizing the reader in any way. It is simply a narration of a chain of unfortunate, sometimes seemingly bizarre events. However impossible they may seem, the happenings contained in this book—from the out-of-body experiences to the hallucinations—have been entirely and accurately documented, without the addition of the slightest falsehood.”

Recently, Pervaiz informed What’s On that Trauma Redefined has been nominated at the New York Book Fair in the category of Best True Story—its third such recognition. We extend our best wishes to Pervaiz and hope to see the book progress to the final list of awardees.

OUR FRIENDS

YOUR PROFILE ON ZASHA

Hi, This is Perin Avari,

I’m reaching out on behalf of ZASHA (Zoroastrian Alliance of Sisters Here And Abroad).

We are building a global directory to celebrate Zoroastrian women, and we’d love to have all of you featured. Whether you are a working professional, or retired professional or above the age of 25 years we’d like you to be featured in the directory. So hurry up & put your profile & picture on the website: https://zasha.info/submit-your-bio/

If you need support please submit to me through email:

1.⁠ ⁠A portrait photo 2.⁠ ⁠A brief bio (under 200 words) 3.⁠ ⁠Any links (LinkedIn, Instagram, or Website)

We want the directory to be as inclusive as possible, so please share this message in your Zoroastrian chat groups or with any Zoroastrian women in your friends circles, including those of mixed heritage or married out .

Warm regards, Perin Avari, +92 334 3462900 Email: perinxavari@gmail.com

KZBM HEARTILY CONGRATULATES BVS PARSI HIGH SCHOOL

ON THE 167^TH YEAR OF ITS FOUNDING

KPI’S DADABHOY NAOROJI GASHAN & GHAMBAR ON SATURDAY 6 JUNE 2026

KPI Newsletter

Most of you must have read the above newsletter, but in case not – especially our readers overseas – do read, you will be delighted.

“KARACHI PARSI INSTITUTE CELEBRATES 133RD FOUNDERS DAY WITH GRACE AND LEGACY

The Karachi Parsi Institute commemorated its 133rd Founders Day on 25th April 2026 with an evening that beautifully captured the essence of tradition, community and enduring legacy….”

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PARSIANA DIGITAL ARCHIVES

Dear Parsiana readers / former subscribers

Effective May 4, 2026 all the Parsiana digital archives are available free of charge on our website www.parsiana.com. One has only to visit www.parsiana.com to access issues from November 1964, when Parsiana started, to October 2025 when the journal ceased publication.

If you have any queries regarding the archives please do email us on info@parsiana.com or parsiana1@gmail.com

The Publishers

POSTING

KASTI, SANDLEWOOD, BIG AND SMALL FAROHAR PENDANTS (GOLD / SILVER), DIVA NA KAKRAS, VELVET PRAYER CAPS (ALL COLOURS) available for sale. Contact: Roeinton Shroff, Anjuman Baug, Mobile: 0300-2369385

MILESTONES

MARAN – Please send Obituary email to Arnaz Framji at a.f.framji@gmail.com which will guarantee receipt as the other email works erratically. Please also mention date of ‘maran’ as required for posts below.

Happily, none to report this month.

FORMER KARACHIITE

MERWAN ADI DUBASH, Son of Adi and Roda Dubash, Husband of Ruby and father of Neville on 9 May 2026 in Toronto, Canada

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WHAT’S MORE

STAY HEALTHY AND INFORMED

Dr Natasha Kersi Billia is Consultant Psychiatrist and a Member of KZBM’s Medical Subcommittee. She has given us an in-depth ‘understanding on stress’ as can be seen below from opening images in her write-up. In the next issue she will enlighten us on ‘ways to manage stress’.

THE RIPPLE EFFECT OF STRESS ON BODY AND MIND

Stress is a state of worry or mental strain that arises in response to challenging or demanding situations.

It is a natural and adaptive human response that helps the body and mind to cope with challenges or perceived threats.

Everyone experiences stress to some degree in daily life, though the intensity and impact can vary from person to person.

BUT recognizing the sources of stress—and understanding how it affects us—is the first step toward managing it effectively

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AND…

A GENTLE REMINDER

High humidity slows down our sweat’s ability to evaporate, our body struggles to cool itself naturally, making us highly susceptible to heat exhaustion. To protect our body in hot and humid weather, prioritize staying hydrated, keeping the core body temperature low, and defending the skin.

Cool down rapidly using cool water: apply a damp, cold towel or ice pack to the neck, wrists, armpits, and feet to lower the core temperature quickly.

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Writer/Editor: Sunnu F Golwalla

Despatch: Around 25^th of the month.

Change of email: inform on kzbm1912@gmail.com to ensure continuity of receipt of newsletter.

Input from Community Members only: on EMAIL latest by 24^th of the month. If received later it will be placed in the following issue.

The post What’s On – Monthly Newsletter from Karachi Zarthosti Banu Mandal – June 2026 appeared first on Zoroastrians.net.

We The Parsis – Can we organize our revival?

yazdi — Mon, 25 May 2026 00:39:54 +0000

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Giants on the Move – UK

yazdi — Sun, 24 May 2026 09:07:58 +0000

On 6 and 7 June, Serendipity Arts brings a giant puppet street parade to Exhibition Road as part of the Great Exhibition Road Festival. Directed by legendary puppeteer Dadi Pudumjee, the procession moves through South Kensington twice in a day with puppeteers, drummers, and musicians leading the way.

Open to all ages, free of charge and a worthwhile experience.

Tickets are live, head to greatexhibitionroadfestival.co.uk now!

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Thanksgiving Celebration to Dae Dadar on 31 May – Mumbai

yazdi — Sat, 23 May 2026 23:58:51 +0000

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Rangilo Parsi Chhabilo Parsi – Jamshed Kotwal

yazdi — Sat, 23 May 2026 13:16:18 +0000

1. Jagatna Dukhne Harnara
2. Duniyama Leher Karjo
3. Sara Sagan Joine
4. Mastan Mara Dilne
5. Goola Maari Gol Gol
6. Sunabai Lamba
7. Mara Bhola Dilno
8. Parsi Taru Naam Sakhavat
9. Hun Rahi Gai Kumari
10. Maiji Sambhlo Mari Vaat
11. Jallawadima Re
12. Rangili Darjan
13. Jarthosti Jarthosti

Music Arranger : Jamshed Kotwal
Compere : Shahrukh Sadri
Singers : Mani Mulla, Zarin Variava,
Shilloo Shroff, Viraf Daruwala,
Shahrukh Sadri & Jamshed Kotwal
Musicians : Jimmy Sahiyar, Julius,
Manuel, Marshal, Sudhir & Sunil
Conceived & Circulated by :
Jamshed Kotwal, Mumbai.
Tel. : 4006 6993 / 98921 10325

Supported by :
W.Z.O. Trust,
Mumbai Parsi Panchayet,
Mr. Shahrukh Khathawala,
Seth Jamshed N. Guzdar,
Gool & Dr. Roshan Ghaswala.
Recorded at : Dear Studio
Mahalaxmi, Mumbai – by Vishal
Photographer : Cyrus Shroff
Designed & Printed by : M/s. Square

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FIRES Newsletter Summer 2026

yazdi — Sat, 23 May 2026 04:58:30 +0000

Summer reading season is here — whether you enjoy fiction, biographies, self-help, or children’s books, this is the perfect time to explore new worlds, fresh ideas, and unforgettable stories. There’s nothing quite like discovering a book that inspires, entertains, or stays with you long after the last page. Happy reading!

Light, Liberty, and Legacy:

Zoroastrian Echoes from America’s Founding

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, it offers an opportunity to reflect on the ideals that shaped the nation — liberty, justice, ethical leadership, and religious tolerance. Less widely recognized, however, is the fascination many Enlightenment thinkers and America’s Founding Fathers held for the ancient world, including Persia and the legacy associated with Zoroastrian thought.

Figures such as Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson admired the reputation of Cyrus the Great, whose rule came to symbolize enlightened governance, magnanimity, and tolerance. For much of early American history, Cyrus the Great was a household name, celebrated in schools and popular literature as the benevolent ruler who freed the Jews from Babylon.[1] The names Xerxes and Darius rolled comfortably off the tongues of schoolchildren in a way difficult to imagine today. Generations of young Americans learned their ABCs through the rhyming verses of The New England Primer, where the letter X was memorably taught through the line: “Xerxes the Great did die, and so must you and I.”[2]

Persian rulers also occupied a surprising place in nineteenth-century American education. Abbott’s Histories, a widely read series of biographical sketches of great leaders, devoted several volumes to ancient Persian kings. Three were Persian monarchs — Cyrus, Darius, and Xerxes — underscoring the respect ancient Persia commanded in the American imagination.[3]

For Zoroastrians, these themes feel especially familiar. The timeless principle of Humata, Hukhta, Hvarshta — Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds — continues to resonate across cultures and generations as a guide for ethical living, civic responsibility, and moral leadership. The Zoroastrian emphasis on truth, justice, and the triumph of light over darkness parallels many of the values celebrated in America’s founding ideals.

These echoes continue well beyond history books. Themes associated with Zoroastrian thought and ancient Persian imagination — particularly the enduring tension between good and evil, moral choice, and cosmic order — continue to surface in modern literature, fantasy, film, and gaming. Across contemporary storytelling, creators repeatedly draw upon the symbolism, mythology, and philosophical legacy of ancient Persia to shape narratives for new generations.

As America marks 250 years of independence, it is fitting to recognize how ideas rooted in ethics, truth, and the pursuit of enlightenment (this would be Jefferson’s terminology) continue to illuminate both history and culture. In many ways, these enduring echoes remind us that Zoroastrian values are not simply ancient relics of the past — they remain timeless contributions to humanity’s shared moral and cultural heritage.

[1] Ghazvinian, Ghazvinian, America and Iran: A History, 1720 to the Present (New York: Knopf, 2021), 33

[2] Ghazvinian, America and Iran, 33

[3] Ghazvinian, America and Iran, 34

A page from a New England Primer scanned by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. Two million copies of The New England Primer, a textbook for children to read and spell, are believed to have been sold from 1690’s until well past 1800.

2026 Bapsi Sidhwa Literary Prize

Last Call for Applications

Last call for submissions for the 3rd Bapsi Sidhwa Literary Prize — we invite Zoroastrian writers and emerging voices to submit their work by Monday, June 1st, 2026. Detailed guidelines, eligibility criteria, and timelines are available at:

https://fires-fezana.org/bapsi-sidhwa-literary-prize-2026/

Established in honor of Bapsi Sidhwa’s extraordinary literary legacy, the Prize celebrates storytelling rooted in depth, courage, identity, and cultural memory.

Not a writer? Share this announcement widely. Connecting the right story to this opportunity is itself an act of stewardship.

FIRES Oral History Project

New Recordings Available!

FIRES continues its commitment to preserving the voices and memories of our community, we are delighted to present the next four Oral Histories in our growing archive. Each conversation offers a unique window into lives shaped by tradition, migration, service, scholarship, and the enduring values of the Zarathushti faith. We invite you to listen, reflect, and celebrate the remarkable individuals whose experiences enrich the tapestry of our shared heritage.

We welcome you to explore the life histories captured by our talented and dedicated volunteer, Chase (Georgia)—featuring:

Ardeshir Mistry (Texas)
Khushrav Nariman (Texas),
Ruth Dinaz Sarkari (Texas), and
Daisy Rusi Pavri (Ontario)

now available on the FIRES website: https://fires-fezana.org/category/oral-history/

BOOK AWARENESS

New Books Added to Our Collection

A Call to Consciousness

by Zerbanoo Gifford is a thought-provoking reflection on humanity, spirituality, and the urgent need for compassion and ethical responsibility in modern society. Drawing on her Zoroastrian heritage and global humanitarian work, Gifford inspires readers to embrace awareness, justice, and the power of individual action to create meaningful change.

Collection of Poetry

by Dinaz Kutar Rogers is a reflective and heartfelt journey through memory, identity, and emotion, woven with lyrical simplicity and quiet depth. Her verses capture everyday moments with grace, inviting readers into a world of introspection, resilience, and human connection.

Muses Over Mumbai

by Murzban F. Shroff is a vivid and compassionate collection of stories that captures the restless soul of Mumbai through its unforgettable characters, struggles, and transformations. With empathy, humour, and sharp social insight, Shroff paints a layered portrait of a city where chaos, resilience, and humanity coexist.

Roxanne

by Perveen Nadirshaw Tayabali is a family saga in which Roxanna Tarapore attempts to balance her life as a teacher, a young woman in search of love, and the frustrated daughter of a dissatisfied, busybody of a mother. Life throws her a unique opportunity in the form of a little girl in need of a personal tutor – her father, the wealthy, handsome architect Cyrus, brings a new set of complications into an already complicated set of circumstances. Roxanne must navigate these new waters, while still balancing family dynamics and personal integrity.

Truth Seeker:

The Story of Zoroaster

by Rebecca DesPrez is a lively and engaging introduction to the life and ideas of Zoroaster, blending humor, adventure, and timeless wisdom for young readers. Perfect for curious children and families, this delightful retelling brings ancient Persian heritage and universal values to life with heart and imagination.

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Ancient texts reveal how Persian and Greek rule shaped language in Central Asia

yazdi — Sat, 23 May 2026 00:09:02 +0000

A new study by historian Rachel Mairs brings together written evidence from ancient Central Asia to examine how language and script changed across the region during the Achaemenid and Hellenistic periods. The research focuses on areas such as Bactria, Sogdiana, Arachosia, and Gandhara, which today fall within Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Pakistan. The study appears in a recent Cambridge University Press volume and reviews texts dating from roughly the fifth century BCE to the second century CE.

Behistun Inscription, commissioned by Darius I of the Achaemenid Empire, shows the king describing the lands under his control and listing the regions within his vast empire carved into the rock face of Mount Behistun. Credit: Korosh / CC BY-SA 4.0

Central Asia is often described through the movement of empires, armies, and trade routes, but the study shifts attention to writing itself. According to the research, the surviving texts from this period were mostly written in imperial languages rather than local spoken ones. Under Achaemenid Persian rule, administrative texts were commonly recorded in Aramaic and Elamite. Later, after the conquests of Alexander the Great and the rise of Hellenistic kingdoms, Greek became widely used in official and public writing. In regions linked to the Mauryan Empire, Prakrit also entered the written record.

This does not mean local communities suddenly changed their everyday speech. The study argues the opposite. People in Central Asia likely continued speaking local Iranian and Indo-Aryan languages while using foreign languages for administration, trade, and formal writing. In other words, the language people wrote was often different from the one they spoke at home.

The evidence comes from inscriptions, administrative documents, and archaeological finds from sites across the region. Some of the earliest surviving written materials from Central Asia date to the fourth century BCE and come from Bactria and Arachosia. These records help show how Persian imperial systems operated far from their political center. The study notes that Aramaic served as a practical administrative language across the empire because officials from many regions needed a common written system.

Heliodorus’ Column or Pillar at Besnagar. Credit: Asitjain / CC BY-SA 3.0

Greek later followed a similar path. After Alexander’s campaigns in the late fourth century BCE, Greek speakers appeared in larger numbers in Central Asia. In places such as Ai Khanoum, archaeologists have uncovered inscriptions and written material showing Greek was used for public display, administration, and elite culture. Yet Greek writing in the region did not always signal Greek ethnic identity. The study stresses that language and identity should not be treated as identical categories. A person writing in Greek was not necessarily Greek by origin or self-identification.

One of the study’s main findings is that script and language also followed separate paths. Scripts were repeatedly adapted for new uses. Aramaic script was used to write languages beyond Aramaic itself, including Prakrit and local Iranian languages. Greek script later became the basis for writing Bactrian, an Iranian language associated with the Kushan period.

Map of the First Persian Empire

By tracing these patterns, the study presents ancient Central Asia as a multilingual region shaped by long-term contact between Persian, Greek, Indian, and local traditions. The written record is incomplete and shaped by what happened to survive in dry climates, collapsed archives, and archaeological excavations. Even so, the surviving documents offer a rare view of how empires influenced writing practices while local languages continued beneath the surface.

The study suggests ancient Central Asia was not defined by a single language or script, but by constant adaptation. Writing systems moved with empire, but local societies reshaped them for their own needs over time.

by Dario Radley

May 20, 2026

More information: Mairs R. (2026). Language and Script in Achaemenid and Hellenistic Central Asia. Cambridge University Press. doi.org/10.1017/9781009782128

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Adi Marzban – A gentle genius

yazdi — Fri, 22 May 2026 07:59:40 +0000

Adi Marzban – A gentle genius – by Hormazdyar Shahpurshah Dalal

“…. I am happy to write about Adi’s life and work. The task was not easy, since Adi was close to me. And also because he was a silent man who did not talk about himself….. ”

Read this interesting account of the history, foundation and growth of Jame Jamshed which is intrinsically linked with the Marzbans.

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Mumbai: Parsi-Zoroastrian Community Marks 200th Humbandagi At Historic Bhikha Behram Well In Churchgate

yazdi — Fri, 22 May 2026 06:12:07 +0000

The Parsi-Zoroastrian community gathered at Mumbai’s historic Bhikha Behram Well in Churchgate to celebrate the 200th Humbandagi and the 13th Foundation Day of XYZ. The event featured communal prayers and cultural activities aimed at preserving Zoroastrian heritage.

Members of the Parsi-Zoroastrian community gather at Bhikha Behram Well in Churchgate to celebrate the 200th Humbandagi and promote cultural fellowship | Photo Credits: Salman Ansari

Mumbai, May 21: Members of the Parsi-Zoroastrian community gathered at the historic Bhikha Behram Well at Churchgate on Thursday to mark the 200th Humbandagi, a significant milestone in the community’s tradition of collective prayer and fellowship.

The special Humbandagi coincided with the 13th Foundation Day of XYZ (Xtremely Young Zoroastrians), an organisation dedicated to fostering togetherness, camaraderie and cultural values among young members of the community.

The group works towards nurturing children into responsible individuals while instilling Zoroastrian values through fellowship, prayer and service-oriented activities.

Jashan ceremony performed by children and families

The communal Humbandagi followed at 5.30 pm, drawing devotees and families to the heritage-listed well, which holds immense religious and cultural significance for Parsis in Mumbai.

Tradition of prayer and fellowship celebrated

Humbandagi, or communal prayers, are traditionally conducted for health, peace and the well-being of society.

The event also highlighted the continuing efforts of younger generations to preserve and promote Zoroastrian traditions and heritage in the city.

https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/mumbai-parsi-zoroastrian-community-marks-200th-humbandagi-at-historic-bhikha-behram-well-in-churchgate

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How a Parsi saved Mumbai

yazdi — Fri, 22 May 2026 02:49:07 +0000

The Son of the First Parsi Family of Mumbai along with the Original Inhabitants of Mumbai who are the Kolis had saved the Isle of Bombay, the Fort of Bombay and the City of Mumbai from an Invading Force which had taken all the Islands of Mumbai except for the Isle of Bombay

This Reel Covers

The First Parsi Family of Mumbai
The Brave Kolis of Mumbai
The Courageous Rustom Dorabji Leading an Army of the Kolis of Bombay
The Defeat of Seedees of Jungeera by Rustom Dorabji and Kolis
The British Conferring a Title of Patel to Rustom Dorabji and his Family who became the Lord or the Chief or the Patel of Bombay
Rustom Dorabji was also made the Head of the Koli Community of Bombay
This was the Story of Bombay when a Parsi and an army of Kolis saved the Isle of Bombay.

Any more inputs on this …….. welcome

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