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I A
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ORAL TRADITIONS
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THE LIVING HERITAGE ( REET - RIVAJ)
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What or who are the Parsis? The Zoroastrian heritage of a "Life enhancing not a world denying faith" creates a Religion of Action which provides the foundation of daily life among the Parsi Zoroastrians. Zoroastrianism gives importance to both the Menok and Getig, the spiritual and material aspects of existence and, therefore, provides a holistic approach to life. Unrecognised by most adherents of the religion, Zoroastrianism has influenced traditions, customs and culture for the faith sub-consciously provides a deep inner core from which to draw strength for honesty, helpfulness, happiness and success. To analyse this and provide the background to the Project in its entirety 1(a) The Living Heritage covers the following aspects.
An introduction to the Parsi - Zoroastrians, their history and theology.
A brief look at the Philosophy of the Religion as reflected in lived experience and traditions which give rise to community strength. Choice and human responsibility as stressed in the theology are reflected in processes seen from birth to death. The Navjote is when a child chooses to be a Hamkar or worker, a soldier of God accepting responsibility for actions. A wedding, when choice and responsibility are stressed and emphasized. Death, when choice determines fate finally at the Chinvat Bridge or the Bridge of Choice, whose successful crossing depends on the deeds and choices made during all the years on earth.
The strict justice of the faith is tempered with mercy at the Frashokerti, and the interweaving of religion and lived experience gave rise to certain lifestyles and the philosophy of moderation or the Middle path. In order to analyse the Living Heritage certain aspects have been specifically identified for study and recording.The recording of life styles will be in photographic , Digi-Beta and audio form and will be used for archival purposes , edited for use in the CD-ROM and the visuals incorporated for creating an introductory book as the first of a Series on the Parsi Zoroastrian Heritage. Field workers will collect data through a Questionnaire and Interviews.The data will be analysed for study by sociologists. The following aspects have been covered.
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Customs and Lifestyles
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Daily Customs
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Religion and ceremonies in daily life |
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Recording at various locations and in different strata of society. The Parsi villages of the Surat area to the Parsi Vads of Bharuch and Navsari, the agricultural Vadis around Valsad and Tithal. The Baugs/ colonies of Surat, Ahmedabad, Mumbai to the Lifestyle of Stately Homes in western India. A study of Surat as an ideal blend of tradition and modernity. Analysis and recording of similarities and differences in Delhi, Hyderabad, Pune, Calcutta, Chennai, Bangalore, Jabalpur, Allahabad, Nagpur and areas in central India & Abroad |
Chalk, toran, loban, divo etc. Music in daily life with Monajats and childrens songs, Garbas, Khyal as methods of family and community bonding. Pets reveal the importance of the dog in the Zoroastrain tradition and lifestyle. In Games,moving from children's games to Parsis as pioneers in sports e.g. Cricket, the historical links with the British being strengthened through a sporting spirit. Entertainment ranging from Garbas and Nataks to sophisticated music, dance , theatre, films. The Parsi Gujarati dialect plays the role of language reflecting a culture, its proverbs, sayings, jokes, stories will be recorded. Care for the plant world - Urvaro, as seen in the reciting of prayers before planting. The importance of agriculture in the tradition e.g. Vendidad injunctions. A study of the vadi / orchard tradition of Gujarat and cultivation and care of flowers. The historical links with the Zoroastrian gardeners of Iran, the Irani cultivators of the Dhanu rose belt and superstitions which preserved plant life e.g. no plucking after sunset. Food the special cuisine for sagan days, wedding/ navjote feasts, ghambars, the ritual food for prayers, and funeral ceremonies e.g. the Chasni will be examined. Clothes, traditional embroidery, the kor, gara etc., Jewellery and personal embellishments will be recorded. Objects of Art, porcelain, silver, paintings, jade, ivory, vintage cars etc. will be seen as part of a unique lifestyle. The position of women is to be examined and their role in nurturing the family and community/ passing on the heritage stressed. Their adapting to challenges of education & employment will be documented. Urbanisation and westernisation, its negative and positive effects will be analysed. |
The household Ses signifies the importance of family unity. The Kusti prayers, ceremonies at birth, the Navjote, the Paheli Sari/ Pagdhi ceremonies, marriage, death the complete cycle of life is based around rituals. The role of the local Fire Temple in signifying spiritual togetherness of the community will be examined. The importance of the Gatha days and the Muktads or days of remembrance for welcoming the family Fravashis when the links between spiritual and material worlds are stressed and family bonds seen to continue even after death . Pilgrimages to shrines like Udwada, Goti Adaran, Bhikai Behram well, the Iranian Pirs etc. will be recorded. |
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The Reet-Rivaj Questionnaire
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Legends and Myths
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History and Literature
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To document and create awareness as to knowledge/lack of knowledge of traditions and customs, to stimulate memory and interest. To collate information from a large spectrum of society |
The Life of Zarathushtra. Muskil Asan, Homaji Bava and others. Parsi interpretations of Iranian legends with intermingling of Indian influences. Myths regarding miracle workers with associated rituals. |
The Heroic tradition of the Shahnameh, recitation and readings at home. Collation of versions, translations, recording and reprinting especially illustrated versions. The Kisseh-i-Sanjan. Folktales from Gujarat e.g. legend of the Vyara women. Living Repositories of Oral Traditions eg. Rattan Marshall of Surat to be recorded. Modern day heroes important to national life e.g. Dadabhai Naoroji, Jameshetji Tata. The role of ethics in the success of their lifestories |
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The Zoroastrian Calendar
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The Defeat of Ahriman
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The Purity laws
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This stresses environmental awareness and a holistic vision through the interweaving of all aspects of The Good Creation. Reverence, care and compassion for the earth is inculcated through the theology of the Amesha Spenta and Yazatas. Ceremonies associated witth the Navroze Table. Char Dishano Namaskar, Jamvani baj and other rituals are to be recorded. The celebration of Ava Parab which emphasizes the sanctity and importance of water, offerings to and rituals of Ava Yazata. The celebration of the Adar Parab, honouring fire, the core of the religion. In Zoroastrian philosophy the light of wisdom dispels the darkness of evil and ignorance. The rituals associated with fire e.g. Maachi or enthronement, other offerings to the fire, reflecting its importance both physical and in the spiritual realm as the divine flame that links man with God. Bahman Mahino - respect for the animal world, rituals such as Gai-ne-rotli, Kutra-no-buk, Chakli-no-dano, legends of animal helpers e.g. Sadda mama. Reverence for the Sun and Moon - Chandraat prayers, superstitions regarding Amavas. The Jashan and its message and meaning for the community. |
Life is seen as a spiritual and moral battle ground with the good Zoroastrian as the Soldier of truth fighting evil and untruth. The Yashts, Nirangs used in daily life to smite evil Curing illness/disease with traditional methods, vaids, hakims, the Madhivala - bone-setter tradition - curing free of charge. Morality in all dealings - the Good Zoroastrian tradition, honesty, compassion, trustworthiness, its effect on business and the professions. Parsi Diwans and treasurers in pre-British princely states. British rewards for uprightness, the material benefits of spiritual probity. |
Theological stress on purity of thought, word, deed. The importance of Truth as pure against the unclean Lie. Rituals of avoiding the Druj which pollutes e.g. dead matter, nails, cut-hair etc. Care not to defile pure nature. Menstrual seclusion. The Nahn and other purifications in the tradition. |
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Charity
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Sociological Documentation
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Charity is enjoined in the religion towards humans and animals. Giving and sharing, the progress of the community through benevolence, the vision of Jamshetji Jeejeebhoy and Jasmshetji Tata for all India, helping to build men and women of character. Educational, medical and social charities are seen as performing an important role in daily life. In some instances negative aspects are also possible and need to be discussed. Cases of lack of responsibility for oneself, lack of concern for elders, charity being expected as a birth right rather than a stepping stone to self-sufficiency. |
Urbanisation, and westernisation of the community and its effects. The breakdown of traditions and community unity. The breakup of family unity in urban settings, a necessity for Old Peoples Homes and Orphanages. A lack of motivation and means to marry and bear children. Declining population Migration Narrowing outlooks instead of a national perspective, ghettoisation. The deserted village, valuable properties lying untended, heritage properties to be maintained. The loss of the Parsi-Gujarati language leading to a loss of oral traditions and folklore. Efforts at arousing awareness at community and national levels through newspapers, journals e.g. Jame-Jamshed, Parsiana, revival of religious instruction through regular classes e.g. Zoroastrian Studies, Mumbai, Farohar classes at Delhi. |
I A
METHODOLOGY
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ACTIVITY
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TECHNICAL ASPECT
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TECHNICIANS
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Travel, Research, recordings. Questionnaire data collection, film clips on lifestyles across the country, enactment for filming. Collection of photographs, books, archival materials for preservation or reproduction. Digi-beta recordings to be edited for production of CD-ROM. Sociological study to be conducted regarding a declining population, migration, attitudinal issues, community pressure or lack of the same. Adoption, marriage and divorce laws. Production of a book, coffee table in format but academically researched as first in a Series, introducing the Parsi Zoroastrian community heritage . |
Researching, networking, recording both audio and digibeta, sociological data collection through questionnaire, study by sociologists, data analysis. Report of analysis to be presented to Minorities Commission, HRD Ministry, Government of India. Researching, collation of information, production of CD-ROM and book. |
Team of Consultant, Advisors, Film-makers. Sociologist, field workers for questionnaire, collation of information and report to Government and other agencies. Researcher, Author, Editor, Publisher. |
I A
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TOTAL BUDGET OUTLAY (Rs. in lakhs)
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| S NO. | HEADS | 1ST YEAR | 2ND YEAR | TOTAL |
| 1 | Book Publication | - | 20 | 20 |
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Film Making Digitizing collation, converesion on CD of Audio Video Text |
15 | 15 | 30 |
| 3 | Office expenses | 4.02 | 4.02 | 8.04 |
| 4 | Travel and Stay | 5.2 | 5.2 | 10.4 |
| 5 | Manpower (Personnel Cost) | 5.5 | 5.5 | 11.0 |
| 6 | Contigency and Consumables | 5.0 | 5.0 | 10.0 |
| TOTAL | 34.72 | 54.72 | 89.44 | |
I A RESULTS
TANGIBLE OUTPUT
1. To produce audio-visual archival material equivalent to about 14 x 1 hour digibeta cassettes per year.
2. To produce multi-media recording and collection of community lifestyles on CD-ROM format as the first prototype / part to be enlarged with updates from all parts of the projects.
3. To edit into 14 to 18 - 2 minute capsules of international quality film per year.
4. For archival purposes store photographs and sound recordings of totality of the module.
5. Collection and cataloging of manuscripts, books, photographs, historical records, craft items, art objects and maintenance of the same.
6. To produce the first in a series of fully illustrated international quality books which will appeal both to the layman and the researcher.
INTANGIBLE OUTPUT
1. Sensitization at grassroots level to the importance of preserving the Parsi Zoroastrian ethos.
2. Revitalizing the practice of core customs which sub-consciously contributed to the Parsi success story in India.
3. Creating an awareness of enormous community wealth in material terms e.g. agricultural land holding, heritage properties, archival materials.
4. Creation of awareness as to value of traditional heritage and urgent need for its preservation, while also moving forward in the modern world. Blending of old and new values for development.
5. Information regarding availability of assistance in respect of preservation of both tangible and intangible heritage to be provided to the community and country.
