Beautifully written article, brightened my day reading this. I want to share a story of the Parsi community's nation building efforts.
A chance meeting between Jamsetji Tata and Swami Vivekananda on board The Empress of India sailing from Yokohoma to Vancouver birthed a dream in Tata's mind - to set up a world-class scientific research institute in India. On his return to India, Jamsetji Tata set aside 14 buildings and 4 landed properties of his for an endowment, the Maharaja of Mysore donated 371 acres of land in the heart of Bengaluru, the British Indian government contributed £2,000 annually for 10 years, and this resulted in the establishment of the Indian Institute of Science
Thank you, Mohan. Wow, I did not know this origin story of IISc! Thank you for sharing. The history of India is so much a contribution of Parsis—the Tatas, the Godrejs, not to mention the various charities. My own flight trip to the US was funded by a Parsi charity:)
It felt like I was on the streets of DPC and getting a tour. Interestingly your post reminded me of Rohinton Mistry, an Indian-Canadian writer who writes about the Parsi way of life in his books, weaving the diversity and intersection of culture and tradition- brilliant!
I loved how you phrased the sentence about praying to your god, and 'that was just fine.' You nailed it in the head- this has to be our shared vision for the future!
Thank you, Ruchi! Hop on to Mumbai on your next visit, I can take you around DPC:) I’ll have to pick up Rohinton Mistry for sure! Mistry is a common Parsi last name. Probably worked in the iron wielding business.
If I may recommend, read ‘A fine Balance’ - devastatingly beautiful. But his collection of short essays ‘Tales from Feroshabagh’ is more aligned with the topic of your post.
Yes, Mike. They really are, and the world has yet to connect the dots between some notable folks and the fact that they are Parsis. Zubin Mehta, the Philharmonic conductor is one. Parsis are inseparable from the rise of India's economic growth!
Really good write up. Actually felt like I was strolling through the DPC. Loved the story of Jadi Rana and of course the newspaper clipping was extremely “Tinkle-ish” in its nature. Thanks a bunch for the insights!!
Thank you, Amit! Yes, the Jame-e-Jamshed newspaper does indeed look Tinkle-ish:) Glad you enjoyed the tour of my neighborhood and I am glad one more person knows the story of the Parsi-arrival in India!
Very well written. In fact, I had no idea of the origin of our Colony. Also, about Khaki Tours. Very well researched, too.Instead of building places of worship, Parsis built hospitals, colleges, industries which helped build our great nation. Thanks for highlighting all that.
Thanks, Rohinton! Yes indeed, the history of modern India is intrinsically linked to the rise of the Parsi community—the Tatas, the Godrejs, etc. not to mention the number of charitable trusts. My flight to the US for graduate studies was funded by a Parsi charity in the Fort area! Definitely do the Khaki tour with Kaevan! It was well worth it and I learned something new.
“Everyone prayed to their respective gods and to each other’s gods, and that was just fine.”
That’s how it should be. I applaud! As a pagan who worships nature, I'm always open to accepting its manifestations of love and compassion from any other religion. :-)
I used to visit five gardens in 1980s in the evenings, when I was with BEST as an Electrical Engineer and had been staying in Wadala depot quarters.Now I am 68 year old, staying at Borivali, with my family would find out a flat in near future in the vicinity of five gardens.
Hi Anu, While researching for the history of Parsis in India, I landed on your this article (on DPC). So nicely written!
Oddly (or funny) it's a small world. My life followed the same path as yours but our paths never crossed until now :). Grew up in DPC (went to DPYA, then to St Joseph's, then to Khalsa's), then to Pune (for Bachelors), then to Florida (for Masters), then to DC (where I worked and lived for many years, which included pursuing second Masters at Georgetown); and have been back to DPC for the last 10 yrs or so.
Do give a shout out whenever you are in DPC next. Would love to connect.
Thanks, Ketan! Wow, such parallels between our trajectories. I just left DPC for Bangalore but will be back Tuesday evening through Aug 19. Yes, let’s definitely plan to connect! Send me your what’s app no on Substack messaging!
I could not agree more. This is a beautiful essay on Dadar Parsi Colony, in central Mumbai, your home of your heart and soul. I can see why you love it from the photos. It is beautiful and lovely. I feel a kinship to it, as well, although I do not share your Zoroastrian beliefs. I think it is because I love the architecture, which appeals to my sensibilities, as do the trees; it reminds somewhat of my beloved Montréal. Merci beaucoup.
Je vous emprie, Perry! Et merci à vous aussi. Zoroastrianism is not my religion, I just grew up in a community of Zoroastrians and attended a Zoroastrian school. I still visit every year. The religion we follow at home is Hinduism. But we had Catholic, Hindu, Muslim, and Zoroastrian teachers in our school. It’s pretty multicultural in India:)
Pas de problème:) I should be saying it’s not my religion…je n’aime pas ces mots vraiment;) Qu’est-ce que c’est, la religion? C’est vraiment pour moi, un essai d’être une personne gentille. Et ça vient de plusieurs sources! Bien-sûr, j’aime la philosophie de Védanta, mais mon professeur de la littérature française au collège était une femme catholique! Mes amis étaient Zoroastriennes et Hindoues. Je trouve que la plupart des réligions enseignment (prèsque)la même chose:)
Our acquaintance who is a Parsi has forwarded this article to me. I was always fascinated by the history of Parsi people. I have immense respect for who they are. Thanks for the article. I assume some of the Parsis are immensely rich. With the richness in the community, I feel old buildings must not be in a dilapitated state.
Thank you, Naveed. I am glad you enjoyed the article. Yes, it’s sad to see the buildings go. Kayomi, who is on this thread works tirelessly to preserve the heritage, but the decisions to sell are often financially motivated and complex.
Wonderfully written Anu! So many memories of playing in 5 Gardens and eating singdana and channa from the street sellers outside the gardens. My grandparents lived in Sion so every visit to Mumbai included visits t DPC to walk, play and then eventually eat in Matunga. Loved reading and learning the history of DPC through your article.
Thanks, Kayomi! The pleasure is all mine. I am so appreciative as are so many other folks of your tireless efforts to preserve the legacy of DPC. Thank you!
Beautifully written article, brightened my day reading this. I want to share a story of the Parsi community's nation building efforts.
A chance meeting between Jamsetji Tata and Swami Vivekananda on board The Empress of India sailing from Yokohoma to Vancouver birthed a dream in Tata's mind - to set up a world-class scientific research institute in India. On his return to India, Jamsetji Tata set aside 14 buildings and 4 landed properties of his for an endowment, the Maharaja of Mysore donated 371 acres of land in the heart of Bengaluru, the British Indian government contributed £2,000 annually for 10 years, and this resulted in the establishment of the Indian Institute of Science
Thank you, Mohan. Wow, I did not know this origin story of IISc! Thank you for sharing. The history of India is so much a contribution of Parsis—the Tatas, the Godrejs, not to mention the various charities. My own flight trip to the US was funded by a Parsi charity:)
What a wonderfully written piece, Anu!!
It felt like I was on the streets of DPC and getting a tour. Interestingly your post reminded me of Rohinton Mistry, an Indian-Canadian writer who writes about the Parsi way of life in his books, weaving the diversity and intersection of culture and tradition- brilliant!
I loved how you phrased the sentence about praying to your god, and 'that was just fine.' You nailed it in the head- this has to be our shared vision for the future!
Keep on penning these gems!
Thank you, Ruchi! Hop on to Mumbai on your next visit, I can take you around DPC:) I’ll have to pick up Rohinton Mistry for sure! Mistry is a common Parsi last name. Probably worked in the iron wielding business.
If I may recommend, read ‘A fine Balance’ - devastatingly beautiful. But his collection of short essays ‘Tales from Feroshabagh’ is more aligned with the topic of your post.
I’ll check them out! Thanks.
I read the book many years ago, and I can concur it is a wonderful book, worth reading. I too am Canadian.
I've always been impressed by the Parsees. Their achievements vastly exceed their rather small population.
Yes, Mike. They really are, and the world has yet to connect the dots between some notable folks and the fact that they are Parsis. Zubin Mehta, the Philharmonic conductor is one. Parsis are inseparable from the rise of India's economic growth!
Really good write up. Actually felt like I was strolling through the DPC. Loved the story of Jadi Rana and of course the newspaper clipping was extremely “Tinkle-ish” in its nature. Thanks a bunch for the insights!!
Thank you, Amit! Yes, the Jame-e-Jamshed newspaper does indeed look Tinkle-ish:) Glad you enjoyed the tour of my neighborhood and I am glad one more person knows the story of the Parsi-arrival in India!
Very well written. In fact, I had no idea of the origin of our Colony. Also, about Khaki Tours. Very well researched, too.Instead of building places of worship, Parsis built hospitals, colleges, industries which helped build our great nation. Thanks for highlighting all that.
Thanks, Rohinton! Yes indeed, the history of modern India is intrinsically linked to the rise of the Parsi community—the Tatas, the Godrejs, etc. not to mention the number of charitable trusts. My flight to the US for graduate studies was funded by a Parsi charity in the Fort area! Definitely do the Khaki tour with Kaevan! It was well worth it and I learned something new.
Extremely well written with balance of both nostalgia and a detached traveler's eyes.
Thank you, Sunando! You have captured so well, my two intentions with the blog—share my love for the community with the informed eye of an adult.
“Everyone prayed to their respective gods and to each other’s gods, and that was just fine.”
That’s how it should be. I applaud! As a pagan who worships nature, I'm always open to accepting its manifestations of love and compassion from any other religion. :-)
Thank you, Karl! Absolutely, compassion is key and that’s what I loved about growing up in Dadar Parsi Colony.
I used to visit five gardens in 1980s in the evenings, when I was with BEST as an Electrical Engineer and had been staying in Wadala depot quarters.Now I am 68 year old, staying at Borivali, with my family would find out a flat in near future in the vicinity of five gardens.
Great to hear of your connection to five gardens!
Hi Anu, While researching for the history of Parsis in India, I landed on your this article (on DPC). So nicely written!
Oddly (or funny) it's a small world. My life followed the same path as yours but our paths never crossed until now :). Grew up in DPC (went to DPYA, then to St Joseph's, then to Khalsa's), then to Pune (for Bachelors), then to Florida (for Masters), then to DC (where I worked and lived for many years, which included pursuing second Masters at Georgetown); and have been back to DPC for the last 10 yrs or so.
Do give a shout out whenever you are in DPC next. Would love to connect.
Thanks,
Ketan
Thanks, Ketan! Wow, such parallels between our trajectories. I just left DPC for Bangalore but will be back Tuesday evening through Aug 19. Yes, let’s definitely plan to connect! Send me your what’s app no on Substack messaging!
Sent you a message via substack messenger
I could not agree more. This is a beautiful essay on Dadar Parsi Colony, in central Mumbai, your home of your heart and soul. I can see why you love it from the photos. It is beautiful and lovely. I feel a kinship to it, as well, although I do not share your Zoroastrian beliefs. I think it is because I love the architecture, which appeals to my sensibilities, as do the trees; it reminds somewhat of my beloved Montréal. Merci beaucoup.
Je vous emprie, Perry! Et merci à vous aussi. Zoroastrianism is not my religion, I just grew up in a community of Zoroastrians and attended a Zoroastrian school. I still visit every year. The religion we follow at home is Hinduism. But we had Catholic, Hindu, Muslim, and Zoroastrian teachers in our school. It’s pretty multicultural in India:)
Je suis vraiment désolé pour l'erreur. Love the multiculturalism. Canada is similar.
Pas de problème:) I should be saying it’s not my religion…je n’aime pas ces mots vraiment;) Qu’est-ce que c’est, la religion? C’est vraiment pour moi, un essai d’être une personne gentille. Et ça vient de plusieurs sources! Bien-sûr, j’aime la philosophie de Védanta, mais mon professeur de la littérature française au collège était une femme catholique! Mes amis étaient Zoroastriennes et Hindoues. Je trouve que la plupart des réligions enseignment (prèsque)la même chose:)
D'accord; I feel the same way. :)
Captivating read on Dadar Parsi Colony's heritage. Your insights deepen my appreciation for Parsi history and genealogy!
Thank you, Ravi! Sorry, I missed your comment somehow till now!
Our acquaintance who is a Parsi has forwarded this article to me. I was always fascinated by the history of Parsi people. I have immense respect for who they are. Thanks for the article. I assume some of the Parsis are immensely rich. With the richness in the community, I feel old buildings must not be in a dilapitated state.
Thank you, Naveed. I am glad you enjoyed the article. Yes, it’s sad to see the buildings go. Kayomi, who is on this thread works tirelessly to preserve the heritage, but the decisions to sell are often financially motivated and complex.
Wonderfully written Anu! So many memories of playing in 5 Gardens and eating singdana and channa from the street sellers outside the gardens. My grandparents lived in Sion so every visit to Mumbai included visits t DPC to walk, play and then eventually eat in Matunga. Loved reading and learning the history of DPC through your article.
Thanks, Neha! That means, we might have passed each other unknowingly. Completely SMD.
wow that was interesting! had no idea about the Zoroastrians!
Thanks, Simins! I am so glad you got introduced to this wonderful religion.
What a fascinating article. I really enjoyed it.
Thank you, Adele!
Dear Ms Prabhala,
Thank you for penning this article, the way you recall, most importantly & from your memory bank.
Glad we interacted, having shared it forward today, to the *like minded*, it’s been lovely to read the appreciations on your work.
Thank you for your interest in the largest enclave of Zoroastrians in residence on the planet.
Kind regards
Kayomi Murzban Engineer
@mancherjijoshiparsicolonydadar
Thanks, Kayomi! The pleasure is all mine. I am so appreciative as are so many other folks of your tireless efforts to preserve the legacy of DPC. Thank you!