Sugar in a pot of milk — isn’t that the first story that we all can think of when someone says Parsis. And why not? The community — made up of a little more than 60,000 individuals across the country — has managed to be not just the sugar in the milk but be the best one at it. From being the general of the Indian Army to one of the best industrialists the country has ever had, the Parsis have excelled in the years since they stepped on to the Indian soil decades ago.
“Today, they aren’t just the sugar in the milk. The nation is theirs and they are our nation’s very own,” said Praful Patel, administrator of Dadra Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu last weekend at the Iranshah Udvada Utsav (IUU) 2019 held at Udvada, Gujarat - the religious centre point for Parsi Zoroastrians across the globe.
Hosted by the Foundation for Development of Udvada, sponsored by Dr Cyrus Poonawalla, founder and chairman of Serum Institute of India and promoted by Gujarat Tourism, IUU is a festival that showcases the best of Parsi culture. In its third edition, the festival was organised from December 27-29, 2019 and saw a footfall of over 3,000 people.
The biennial festival also had dignitaries from the political and entertainment landscape including Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, State Tourism Minister Jawahar Chavda, Praful Patel, Vada Dasturji Khurshed Dastur, head priest of the Parsi community, minister Ramanbhai Patkar, MP Dr K C Patel, and local MLA Kanubhai Desai.
At the opening address, Patel thanked the Parsi community for their contribution to the country in every sphere of life. “I hate to use the word minority. So I wouldn’t call them that. They are rather an extraordinary community that leads by example,” he said to a thunderous applause from all the Parsi ladies and gentlemen in the packed audience. “They have zero complaints or issues and yet have the capability to lead the nation,” he added.
A number of guests were also felicitated at the event hosted by actors Viraf Patel and Nauheed Cyrusi for their contribution in distinct fields. Social media influencer Scherezade (Sherry) Shroff, Yoga guru Mickey Mehta, and Indian Olympics Committee chairman Adil Sumariwala were some of them.
Events galore
The three-day cultural festival hosted an array of activities that gave participants a sneak peek into the Parsi culture. A play — Gujarat ni Arsi Amhe Parsi by famous Gujarati playwright Yazdi Karanjia and Mahrukh Chichgar, portrayed the beautiful merging of the Parsis into the Gujarati culture.
Also lined up were heritage walks with Jamshed Bhivandiwalla, a band performance by Groove Garden, Mickey Mehta’s fitness programme, a 4D Goggle Experience created by SOAS Centre in United Kingdom, an interactive cookery show concept by mother-son duo Hilla and Shezad Marolia, photography exhibitions by Sooni Taraporevala, Kurush Umrigar and Shantanu Das celebrating the community and the culture and Ashdeen Lilaowala’s fashion show and dance performance. A cherry on the top was a flea market alongside the festival venue packed with Parsi household items and more.
The Utsav story
The festival that was “the brainchild of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” as Patel said, benefits the village of Udvada immensely. The funds created by the Utsav through multiple schemes and infrastructure upgrade help the 7,000 locals residing here. They are often, including the few Hindus, grateful to Pak Iranshah, the holy fire of the Parsi community in Udvada.
The previous two festivals were held in December 2015 and 2017.
The holy fire
Udvada is the religious centre point for Parsi Zoroastrians across the globe. The Iranshah Fire had remained in Navsari for about 320 years with the exception of three years when the fire was carried to Surat. Due to the infighting and controversies, the holy fire was moved. In 1740, with the permit of the government issued by Damaji Gaikwad, the holy fire was moved to Valsad and in 1742 to Udvada where since then, the holy fire Iranshah Atash has been glowing.