ISSUE 15 ZOROASTRIAN ASSOCIATION OF GREATER NEW YORK JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2004 NEWSLETTER ZAGNY CELEBRATES JAMSHEDI NAVROZE 2004 The celebration of Jamshedi Navroze This day came to be known as bridges the old year to the new year Navroze or Jamshedi Navroze day. ARTICLES: with the advent of spring. The resurgence of life takes place during Please join ZAGNY in the celebration of Jamshedi Navroze on Saturday, TH this period with the symbolic victory 3000 CELEBRATION 2 March 20th, 2004. Registration starts of the forces of light over darkness. CALENDAR OF EVENTS 4 at 5 PM. For additional details and to Legend has it that the Jamshedi register, please turn to page 6. DONATIONS AND Navroze celebration dates back to the INFORMATION 5 times of the legendary King of Persia, We encourage all interesting in Jamshed. It is said that King Jamshed providing Indian food with a JAMSHEDI NAVROZE REGISTRATION FORM 6 introduced solar calculations into the predominance of Parsi flavor for this Persian calendar, and therefore set as 300+ affair to contact Cyrus MEMBERSHIP FORM 7 the beginning of the year the date the Hirjibehedin, 212.663.5768 or [email protected] for further sun enters the constellation of Aries. Also, legend has it that on this day information. Preference in the King Jamshed forced the demons to selection process will be given to carry him on their shoulders from ZAGNY members. The deadline for Mount Demavand to Babylon. submitting a completed bid is February 14th, 2004. LAST NEWSLETTER FOR NON MEMBERS ZAGNY BOARD: As part of the ZAGNY Board's To continue this program, we are [email protected] continuing efforts to enhance the now informing all non-members that impact of the membership's funds, we this will be the last newsletter that have identified a significant potential they will receive in print. Every PRESIDENT for savings in the publication and month, 180 newsletters are sent to HOMI GANDHI distribution of the ZAGNY newsletter organizations and individuals who by moving online. have not consented to support VICE PRESIDENT ZAGNY by becoming members. We FALI SHROFF In our 2004 membership drive, we appreciate their moral support and asked all willing members to volunteer interest, and know that they will TREASURER to receive the newsletter online. This understand our need to use our JASMIN KOTWAL will represent a significant savings for funds more efficiently. All non- ZAGNY, which will result in the use of members will still be able to access SECRETARY the funds for other programs and the newsletter online though the ARNAVAZ PATEL projects. ZAGNY website, www.zagny.org. MEMBERS AT LARGE We encourage all non-members to GOOLU BARIA help support the entire ZAGNY KAMAL DAVAR community by becoming members. USHEEN DAVAR If you have any questions regarding TONI GHADIALLY membership, please send an email to CYRUS HIRJIBEHEDIN VISPI KANGA [email protected]. NEWNEW YORK’S YORK’S ZOROASTRIAN ZOROASTRIAN COMMUNITY COMMUNITYTITLE CELEBRATES CELEBRATES THTH UNESCO-DECLARED “3,000 ANNIVERSARY ANNIVERSARY OF OF ZOROASTR ZOROASTRIANIAN CULTURE” CULTURE” IN INNOVEMBER NOVEMBER Written By: Tamina Davar November 7-15 marked a rare week of Zoroastrian- Yasmin Ghadiali, with a huge assortment – from related public events, enjoyed by hundreds of coffee table, to fiction, to cookbooks; displays of ethnically and religiously diverse people. Involving quotations by Zoroastrian authors such as Rohinton first-ever collaborations with cultural institutions, Mistry, Bapsi Sidhwa (who attended the event), and these included a major IZA and ZAGNY event others; and a printed booklist. celebrating the UNESCO-declared “3,000th Anniversary of Zoroastrian Culture;” a theater The program brochure included excerpts from a production at the Asia Society; and a coincidentally- “3000th Anniversary” message by Koïchiro scheduled play reading. Matsuura, UNESCO’s Director-General, originally published in HAMAZOR, the World Zoroastrian On November 7th and 8th the Asia Society – with Organisation’s journal; a special letter from Shashi IZA and ZAGNY as copresenters, produced “Sohrab Tharoor, United Nations Under-Secretary General and Rustum,” a one-man play by actor Zaraawar for Communications and Public Information; and Mistry, billed one of Minneapolis’s “Top 10” messages from Minoo Shroff, Chairman of the productions. The play retells the legend of the Bombay Parsi Panchayet; and Dinshaw Tamboly, fateful battle between the warrior Rustum and his Chairman of the World Zoroastrian Organisation son Sohrab (from the Shahnameh (Book of Kings), Trust in India. the 11th century Persian epic chronicling much Zoroastrian history); weaving it with a story of a The onstage events occurred against a Persepolis contemporary Parsi family in Mumbai – into a backdrop mural by Dolly and Freddy Khambatta, performance about loyalty, generational differences, specially commissioned by Sam Bhadha. Opening war and migration. Mistry, who directs an arts prayers (by Ervads Darius Antia, Rohinton Madon, center in Minneapolis, played a dozen different Karl Khambatta, and Burgese Turel) began the characters, accompanied by a Persian music event; followed by spoken English translations by ensemble. The show, sold out days before (with Mitra Mehr and Kayhan Irani. ZAGNY president discounted tickets for IZA and ZAGNY members), Homi Gandhi and IZA president Shirin Kiamanesh played to over 250 people each night, to standing made welcoming remarks (Kiamanesh also ovations. The Asia Society’s Director of Performing translating into Persian). Gandhi noted special Arts/Public Programs, Rachel Cooper, was academic, religious, and diplomatic guests; and enthusiastic about this collaboration and looks read aloud the congratulatory letter by the UN’s forward to others. Shashi Tharoor. Gandhi introduced His Excellency Rashid Alimov, Tajikistan Ambassador to the United The next week, the Indo-American Arts Council and Nations, and Sayu S. Bhojwani, Commissioner, Lark Theatre coincidentally presented readings of Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs, who made “Feroza Among the Farangees,” a play by Houston- remarks (Seema Singh, Ratepayer Advocate for the based novelist Bapsi Sidhwa, based on her novel An State of New Jersey, was also scheduled, but unable American Brat and its recent London production. to attend). Alimov spoke about Zoroastrianism’s importance in Central Asia and a changing world; On November 15, over 350 people attended IZA Bhojwani said, “Without you [the Zoroastrian and ZAGNY’s public event, “History, Beliefs, and the community], New York would not be the New York it Influence of Zoroastrianism on Other Cultures” is today.” (cosponsored by Asia Society, and CUNY’s Middle East & Middle Eastern American Center), hosted at The main speakers, on Zoroastrianism’s influence the Metropolitan Hotel in Manhattan, through on other major religions and cultures, were New gracious arrangement with manager Sam Bhadha. York’s own Professor Kaikhosrov D. Irani, CUNY professor emeritus of philosophy (whose Attendees were greeted by volunteers in traditional philosophies were recently produced into “Domains Parsi and Iranian outfits, offering rosewater and of Belief,” a DVD for sale); and Dr. Farhang Mehr, mirror reflection (an Iranian welcoming gesture); Boston University professor emeritus of Parsi “toran”and flowers, compliments of Elegant international relations, and former deputy prime Affairs; and Iranian and Parsi (“ses”) trays. The minister of Iran. Professor Irani spoke on entrance featured a Zoroastrian book display table, Zarathustra’s innovations in Indo-European cultures organized by Aysha Ghadiali with Jamshed and This newsletter will be made public on the ZAGNY web-site. If you do not want your personal information to appear on the website, please do not submit it to the newsletter for publication. Page 2 NEW YORK’S ZOROASTRIAN COMMUNITY CELEBRATES TH UNESCO-DECLARED “3,000 ANNIVERSARY OF ZOROASTRIAN CULTURE” IN NOVEMBER (continued) and showed how various Zoroastrian tenets, such Both public events (and the play reading) as personal responsibility for one’s actions, can attracted peoples of diverse backgrounds – also be viewed in context of contemporary including Zoroastrians attending a community philosophies. He also mentioned Zoroastrianism’s event for the first time, thrilled at their warm sense of morality, and the need to speak out welcome. Many expressed excitement about against social injustice. Dr. Mehr spoke 3000th Anniversary celebrations elsewhere, and eloquently on the history of Zoroastrian thought looked forward to future New York Zoroastrian and culture, and its influence on the practices and public events. beliefs of other cultures and religions, both during and after the Persian empires. Photographs from the event. Following was a short, highly popular video on Zoroastrianism, professionally produced for the event by Kaizad Bhabha and Thomas Jackson of 2B Productions (who also arranged for and handled the event’s entire sound and lighting). The finale, a fashion showcase directed by Tanaz Parmar, featured traditional and modern Iranian ZAGNY president Homi Gandhi and IZA and Parsi attire. Narrated by husband-and-wife president Shirin Kiamanesh team Tanaz Dutia and Michel Reid, and featuring models of diverse ages and genders, it resulted from considerable research and rehearsal by Parmar and her volunteer team. The event ended with closing remarks by Gev Nentin, and Tamina Davar; and a reception of Iranian and Parsi food catered by the Metropolitan’s