A new beginning

Come Parsi New Year and one can picture families and friends gathered together, laughing and chatting around a huge spread of authentic Parsi delicacies — the simplicity of the mori dal, the delicious patrani machchi, the evergreen dhansak, and Mumbai’s favourite Parsi dish, the akoori in tow. But there’s much more to the simple New Year celebrations than just the delicious cuisine. 

A usual Parsi New Year celebration begins with a family visit to the Fire Temple. “Technically, it is the first day of our new year. So, we like to begin the year with offering prayers and being one with the family,” explains Parinaz Buhariwala, a media professional from the city. 

Following the morning meeting, families often host an elaborate afternoon lunch with several Parsi delicacies on the menu. Enlisting the items on the menu, Parinaz explains that her family opts for a conventional Parsi meal. “We go for a traditional meal with the entire family — every possible person in the family makes a visit. At home, for Navroze, we cook the patrani machi, salli chicken, and mutton salli boli. For desserts, we choose between a cake or lagan nu custard, or both!” she says, adding that the yellow dal rice is another must-have dish, since it is considered auspicious. 

For lawyer Benaaz Pherozshaw, the celebratory routine is a little different. “We begin with a visit to the Fire Temple. Then, we get home, order a proper Parsi lunch and in the evening, we go for a simple Parsi play,” she says. The lawyer elaborates on why she prefers a simple meal called from outside, “My grandparents used to cook their own meal back in the day, but now we tend to take it easy on that day — take a day off from everything. We aren’t given any leaves for New Year considering how most organisations are working on the day. And so, we find this is the best way to relax.”

Clinical audiologist and food blogger, Zenia Irani, says that even she and her family prefer to take an off — in the literal sense. “Our families come home, we eat and share a laugh. Then go off for a play. Usually it is at the NCPA or Sophia’s Auditorium — they are usually the ones playing a Parsi production,” she says. 

Zenia Irani’s spread from last year

Paurush Irani, cabin crew for an airlines company, also makes it a point to visit his neighbours. “After we are done with the Fire Temple visit and the morning prayers, we visit the neighbour’s house, share a drink or two, talk out loud and laugh. Later in the evening, I pick up my guitar and have a jam session with my family — a simple intimate performance for just them,” he says. 

Media professional Jenaifer Sethna says that theirs is not a conventional Parsi household, but even so, the family makes it a point to meet every year. “My father is a Parsi, but my mother is a South Indian. And so, she cannot really participate in the rituals,” she says, adding that that doesn’t mean she cannot be a part of the celebrations. “The entire family tries to work around this — we meet, eat, talk, laugh — classic Parsi specialities,” she laughs. 

Jenaifer Sethna with her family

Hufrish Mehernosh Bamji also tends to follow more or less the same routine, “Parsis are known for merriment and we do exactly that all day. In fact, we even push the younger generation to tag along with the celebrations and spend more time with us,” she smiles.