Did you know about half-Parsis?
Did you know about the ‘fifty-fifty’ Parsis?
Turns the spotlight on a previously unexplored community in Mumbai
Published by Speaking Tiger, Half-Blood by Pronoti Datta is a shining new debut that announces the arrival of a bold, witty and intelligent writer in the spectrum of Indian fiction.
At first glance, nothing seems to be extraordinary about Maya, who is the protagonist of the novel. A 34-year old journalist, she is the adopted child of a Bengali couple who constantly seems to be swimming in the deep waters of an existential crisis (who isn’t?), and in an attempt to cope with said crisis, frequently resorts to smoking pot or hanging out with her latest boyfriend. And Maya’s story would have continued along this vein, had it not been for an intriguing box of inheritance that arrives for her one day – an inheritance that leads her to Burjor Elavia.
Born in Gujarat, Burjor Elavia is a ‘fifty-fifty’ or an Adhkhachru, which means that he is the illegitimate son of a Parsi man and a tribal woman. As an young-adult, he makes his way to the vibrant city of Mumbai (erstwhile Bombay), where he lives a life in the shadows – revelling in promiscuity and recklessness. As he journeys through life, he encounters other ‘fifty-fifty’s just like himself, all of whom are leading similar lives, trying to get through from one day to the next. In their colourful, sometimes moving life stories, Maya tries to trace her own beginnings and in the process, chalks out what her future might look like.
Despite addressing serious questions of community, belonging, womanhood and life, the charm of Half-Blood lies in how it manages to keep the tone light-hearted and simple throughout the book. A rare mix of entertaining and thought-provoking, the novel promises to be an enjoyable read from start to finish.
https://www.telegraphindia.com/my-kolkata/try-this/read/half-blood-by-pronoti-datta/cid/1857408
All I can say is that: our forefathers came to Indian because in Islamic Iran Zarthosti were prohibited to follow Zarthosti religion.
Zarthosti group arriving India with Dastoor Nariosang Erved Dhaval had given a promise to Hindu King Jadirana, that we shall never propagate our religion & will not advocate conversion.
In India, there is no restriction on citizens to follow their own religion
Today with freedom of religion Parsi takes pride in 50% Bhelpuri!
We can speak of past glory of true Zaerthosti who had done a lot not only for Zarthosti but also for all other communities.
Then Why 50 % is propagated & why the Editor also publish such 50% Parsi news ?
Does anyone really believe that, in a thousand years, no co-mingling would have occurred? From the most philanthropic and famous, down to common folk? It’s just that in earlier times, it was taboo and people never spoke about it or acknowledged it as a reality.
My father was a Parsee, my mother a catholic.I am always asked ,because of my surname,”Are you a Parsee …?” You know what i reply, I say i am just a Human Being.
Zoroastrianism has No Borders. Come as you go. It preaches Freedom Universality Unity treat people with respect tolerance and Dignity. Cause in the end is: What you sow You Reap