The Parsi community in India is facing a decline, with some worrying they might become just “a tribe” in census statistics by 2025. To counter this, the ParZor Foundation and TISS (Tata Institute of Social Sciences) have started a 10-month online course on Parsi Culture and Heritage Studies.
Dr. Shernaz Cama, who started the revival efforts, says what began as a simple recording project in 1999 has now become a full-fledged revival program. The course aims to teach about Parsi history, language, literature, and traditions.
Parsi Contributions to Indian Society
Parsis have made significant contributions to India’s growth. Starting as traders in Gujarat, they later became successful businesspeople in Mumbai. They played important roles in India’s industrialization, modern medicine, and social reforms.
Parsi theatre was a big part of India’s cultural history and led to the development of Bollywood. Despite being a small community, Parsis have been known for their philanthropy and involvement in India’s freedom movement.
Course Topics and Experts
- The course covers a wide range of subjects:
- – Dr. Jenny Rose teaches about Zoroastrian ecology and traditions.
- – Prof. Almut Hintze teaches the Avestan language.
- – Prof. Coomi Vevaina covers Parsi literature and films.
- – Dr. Kerman Daruwalla talks about Parsi-Gujarati and Persian literature.
- – Dr. Meher Mistry teaches about Parsi settlements on India’s west coast.
- – Prof. Shivaraju discusses Parsi demographics.
- – Dr. Abhimanyu Acharya explores Parsi theatre history.
These experts aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of Parsi culture, from its ancient roots to its modern influences. The course is part of a larger effort by the ParZor Foundation, which has been working since 1999 to preserve and promote Parsi Zoroastrian culture. By partnering with TISS, they hope to create more awareness and interest in this unique community’s rich heritage.
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