THE PARSEES OF BOMBAY

by

 

Ernest Joseph Flanagan

 

The Parsees of Bombay

Are special in every way

In their work or in their play

Always happy and gay;

 

To help their fellow man

They do the best they can

They’re honest to the core

And always help the poor;

 

The Parsee community

Has a unique identity

Most from Heaven sent

The rest of Persian descent;

 

Some are crazy, but really sweet

Loud and boisterous, not discreet

Watching them is such a treat

The best people you can meet;

 

Some have really funny names

Playing pranks and silly games

Handsome guys and pretty dames

They all fit in their Parsee frames;

 

With complexions rosy pink

They love their food and drink

Before you can even think

Parsee pegs go down with a wink;

 

In every field they take the lead

Nation building is their creed

They’re fun loving and true

And excel in all they do;

 

From industrial to nuclear yield

They’ve excelled in every field

Music, art, theater, media too,
There is nothing they cannot do;

;

 

From Homi Babha to J R D

Zubin Mehta to Freddy Mercury   

Adi Marzban to Pearl Padamsee

From Bacchi Karkaria to Busy Bee;

 

From Shariyar Atai to Boman Irani

Hafeez Contractor to Sharpoorjee

Farook Khambata to Cyrus (wala)Tody

Nari Contractor to Nagarwala Hirjee;

 

Godrej and Wadia are up there with the best

Pardiwala and Golwala don’t seem to rest

Nana Palkhiwala lives on in our mind

A non productive Parsee is truly hard to find;

 

They spread joy wherever they go

They’re the nicest people to know

They have parties all the time

And stay far away from crime;

 

Their numbers dwindle every year

They may one day disappear

Hope that day never comes

To India’s finest daughters &   sons !

Not sure of the original writer but fun to read, all the same !

Courtesy : Rusi Sorabji