Interesting claim …that the Jewish God is Ahura Mazda…himself.
Filed under: History, Religion | 1 Comment »
Myth & legends of Shahnameh
Posted on 12 May, 2013 by yazdi
Here is a new version on the myth & legends of Shahnameh, rewritten and retold with original illustrations redrawn to “ bring that ancient culture into our new homes” …..make it more appealing to the young people from the old country.
The URL below is of the interview of the producers talking of why & what they did with the original works to give it a 21st century perspective. Interesting you may find it, but please be pre-warned it is a long but never-the-less an engrossing interview.
Rusi Sorabji.
http://asiasociety.org/video/arts/shahnameh-digital-age-complete
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Mumbai’s Parsi cafe culture
Posted on 11 May, 2013 by yazdi
Mumbai’s grand old Parsi cafes are a symbol of the city’s diverse cuisine and culture, but on a foodie tour of the city our writer finds out they are a dying breed – Rosie Birkett – The Guardian
Radio Cafe, Mumbai. Click to enlarge and see roof detail. Photograph: Ming Tang-Evans
Opened in the 19th-century by Parsi settlers – Zoroastrians from Iran – these cafes, with their magnificently faded, time-capsule dining rooms and speciality dishes, are a gloriously eccentric part of the fabric of Mumbai. They are also democratic and inclusive places, where people of all backgrounds, classes and sexes meet, so you may find a Sikh next to a Hindu or Zoroastrian or a group of young female students dining alone.
They are also a dying breed. In 1950 there were about 550 of them, many of which grew from humble tea stalls; now only 15 to 20 are still open.
Click Here for the full report
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Avesta Pahlavi Parsi Scholars
Posted on 11 May, 2013 by yazdi
Forgotten Parsi Scholars in Avesta/Pahlavi Studies
Pallan Ichaporia, PH.D.
Mainz University,Germany
1. Pahlavi Studies
There are only two living Parsi Scholars in India who have contributed to Pahlavi studies. They are high priests Dastur Kotwal and Dastur JamaspAsa .Only Kotwal remains very active. Future is bleak as there is none in India is on the scene to take their place .
Many great Parsi Scholars of Pahlavi have passed away. I will discuss them briefly.
Ervard B.N.DHABHAR: Pahlavi Yasna which is quoted by all Iranists in the west . It has intensive glossary on the basis of which Makenzie has published Concise Pahlavi Dictionary and Malandra and Ichaporia have completed Pahlavi Glossary of the Gathas and Yasna Haptanghaiti. Dhabhar’s Pahlavi Rivayet is among the best books in good style . His preparations of a Pahlavi Dictionary are so neglected by the Parsi Funds that it never got printed. I had seen it while studying under him, little knowing that such a great work will be lost. Several great works in Pahlavi like Zand-e Xurtak Avistik, and other Rivayets were completed by him
Late Dr. J.C. Tavadia: Professor at Berlin and Erligton Universities, Germanycompleted the Shayest ne Shayast which is quoted by western scholars.
Late Dastur Mirza had done Pahlavi Rivayet accompanied Dadestani Dini for his Ph.D. degree but it remains unpublished.
Late Behramgore Anklesaria: His labor and learning has remained unused. The printed forms of Zad-spram were destroyed in fire. His ‘Graet Bundahishn’ is among the best. His other works Rvayet I Asha .Vahistan and Pahlavi Videvdat have disappeared because they were not republished
kerfegar@aol.com
Filed under: Avesta and Studies, History | 2 Comments »
Adi Kanga, The Visionary who helped create the City Navi Mumbai, passes away
Posted on 1 May, 2013 by yazdi
Here is a little known account of a Zarathushti from a great family, who passed away in Australia at the ripe age of 90. Not many know that it was a Zarathushti who conceived the idea and headed the planning of Navi Mumbai. His obituary which appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald is enclosed herewith.
Happy reading.
Rusi Sorabji
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Restoring the ruptured heritage
Posted on 22 April, 2013 by yazdi
The statue in discussion is one of the iconic statues of Mumbai, known as ‘Khada Parsi’ or ‘Standing Parsi’ in English. Sadly, despite being placed in one of the busiest 
junctions of the city, a majority of Mumbaikars have neglected this crucial piece of History and Heritage. Almost 40 feet tall and 150 year old cast iron structure and bronze statue of Shet Cursetjee Manockjee, was built in 1860s by his youngest son Manockjee Cursetjee, by spending almost a lakh of rupees then. Manockjee, known as a reformer in education sector, is responsible for founding one of the first schools for girls in Mumbai in 1863, now called Alexandra Girls English Institution, located in South Mumbai.
The statue was built in parts, in London and the separate parts of it were brought to India via-sea route. The various parts were later assembled and then stood the Parsi. The Parsi community has made tremendous contributions in the development of Mumbai and this statue should have been treated with due respect, all over the years, as a mode of recognition to the contributions made by Parsi community. Sadly, just like majority of heritage structures in our country, the statue met with the similar fate.
Before Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) decided to carry out a restoration of this iconic statue in October last year by spending almost Rs 1.2 crores, the statue had suffered tremendous damage. While corrosion of the metal due to massive pollution was one of the major reasons to worry, the metal used in the construction was a good gain for petty thieves on the roads of Mumbai. The lamps on the statue were stolen, parts of cast iron shaft were gone and the four mermaids on top of the fountain never looked so dreadful and robbed, after receiving a number of hammer shots from thieves to separate the iron parts. I forgot to mention, the genius road department of the BMC had built footpath almost a foot above the fountain, blocking the fountain. Being adjacent to flyover, the open space around the statue had become home for a family. Currently the same family has shifted to the neighbouring flyover. It was only after the constant pursuance from conservation activists, architects and citizens that the BMC decided to restore the old glory.
Click Here for the entire story
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Historical Information wanted
Posted on 12 April, 2013 by yazdi
Can anyone please guide me with the relevant infomation ?
Recently in reading Charles Allen s deeply researched book on Ashoka I came across repeated referances to the strong connection his empire had with the Persian empire and the great influence of Persian and Greco Persian architecture on the stupas and other structures of his time
Some years back I remember reading about a Parsi lady archaeologist conducting a dig at a site in either UP or Bihar and having unearthed very important artifacts etc to establish the fact that the Persian empire did extend right upto this part of India and I would wish to know more about the overall findings of this study
Would it confirm the more than 2000 year old connection between the two civilisations and ofcourse the probable strong nexus between Rigvedic and the Zoroastrian religions ?
Would be grateful to hear from anyone who knows more about this or can identify the lady archaeologist or guide me to further reading on this subject
Thank you
Jehangir Cama
jrjcama@hotmail.com
My other ids are
Filed under: History | 2 Comments »
Cyrus Cylinder Tour in America
Posted on 28 March, 2013 by Support
Do watch this video. It was live from the Sachler Gallery at the Gala opening Night of the Exhibition March 4th, 2013
CNN was there and boith neil McGregor adn Christiane Amanpour were at the same table as Katayun Kapadia, FEZANA President (special invitee)
We Zoroastrians should be proud of our Iranian heritage.
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Cyrus Cylinder: Ancient Persia Foreshadowed Modern Values
Posted on 24 March, 2013 by yazdi
The Cyrus Cylinder has left its British Museum repository for its first U.S. tour, beginning at the Smithsonian Institution’s Arthur M. Sackler Gallery in Washington. “The Cyrus Cylinder and Ancient Persia” showcases this 2,600-year-old archeological treasure amid other artifacts from the Achaemenid Empire (550–331 B.C.) founded by the Persian ruler Cyrus the Great.
Among the most important objects in world history, the cylinder “in its time declared a new way of ruling in which disparate races and people were not oppressed into conformity but respected for diversity,” Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Director Julian Raby told journalists at the preview.
Read more: http://iipdigital.usembassy.gov/st/english/article/2013/03/20130311143905.html#ixzz2ORg555DQ
Filed under: Arts, History | Tagged: Cyrus Cylinder | Leave a Comment »
More on Cyrus-Cylinder
Posted on 22 March, 2013 by Support
Since the Cyrus cylinder is presently touring USA, I am delighted to be able to forward some great reading on the subject per the kind courtesy of Mr K E Eduljee and Zoroastrian Heritage. I found it all fascinating and well researched and I am sure most of you avid Zoroastrians will find great pleasure in reading all about one of the greatest of our Great Kings and his influence upon not just to the then known world but to this day too, upon ours!
Click here for the many articles
Happy reading and a happier ever after to all the good guys everywhere,
ShirinMAI!
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