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Book: India in Focus: Camera Chronicles of Homai Vyarawalla
Parsi Embroidery Items
Parzor Crafts Cards and Card Boxes with tradtional Parsi textile designs
VCD:In War & Peace: The Life of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw MC
CD-Tappas Music Album
Oral Traditions: UNESCO Parzor Report On Questionnaire - 1(a) Reet Rivaj
VCD: Asha, The Law of Harmony & Glimpses
Souvenir: UNESCO Parzor Celebrates the 3000th Anniversary of Zoroastrian Culture

India in Focus - Camera Chronicles of Homai Vyarawalla By Sabeena Gadihoke

Available at Parzor Foundation, New Delhi against donations of Rs.2750/-

Homai Vyarawalla's photographs of pre and post- independent India have contributed to a certain nationalist iconography. Homai's work has spanned four decades that include both, the euphoria of independence, as well as the disillusionment with undelivered promises in the new nation state. Homai was a woman who was active in the public arena and in politics without actually being part of it. This book presents along with her photographs, Homai's critical insights as a bystander who watched these changes in the country. Her comments on the events add significantly to the historical value of her photography.
Some of the most momentous political events in India were captured by her camera in Delhi during 1941-1970. The unique image of the Dalai Lama crossing over into Indian territory in 1959, captured by her lens and illustrated in this book, is of immense historical significance.
This book has been brought out by Parzor Foundation as part of our attempt to preserve the Historical Heritage of our Nation.

Brilliantly authored by well-known media personality and teacher Sabeena Gadihoke of the Mass Communication Research Centre, Jamia Millia University, the book sensitively captures Homai's world, past and present and highlights her vast collection of photographs that archive the nation in its infancy.

To see some photographs from the book

Click here to order the book Contact Us

Parsi Embroidery Items

Parsi embroidery is an artistic and cultural amalgamation of three unique design traditions- Iranian, Chinese and European. This has resulted in a distinctive style which blends nature’s creations, birds- real and exotic, flowers, plant life and animals with elements of mythology. These motifs are skilfully embroidered on the kors, garas, jhablas and ijars to be found in Parsi homes.
Parsi embroidery is truly an intercultural art form, which has descended from Acaemenian times in an unbroken continuum. Originally the items came to the Parsis of India as precious pieces ordered and imported from China. With the end of Parsi trading in China this link is now gone and it is imperative to ensure that this tradition of embroidery is not lost forever. Its revival and survival has been undertaken by Parzor Foundation.
Parzor Crafts trains craft persons to revive Parsi embroidery in contemporary adaptations of original designs for home furnishings accessories and items for home decoration.
The revival of this craft not only serves the purpose of preserving this craft heritage but also encourages pride and appreciation of the craft among members of the community as also giving employment and livelihood to craft persons.

To order these beautiful pieces please Contact us.

Parzor Crafts Items-Cards and Card Boxes with tradtional Parsi textile designs

Parzor Crafts has created cards and gift boxes based on the traditional designs from our textile heritage. Each card carries an explanation of the meaning and symbolism of the textile and its motifs. These are available for you and support our research. Please get yourself these beautiful cards with Parsi textile designs and support the preservation of our heritage. If collected from the Parzor office at Delhi, we can give you the Gift box having 15 cards and 5 letterheads available against a donation of Rs. 350/- from Parzor Foundation, F-17, Hauz Khas Enclave, New Delhi – 110016.

We also have a set of 10 cards of sizes 7.5x11 cms. for Rs. 100/-,
A set of 10 cards of sizes 11x15 cms. for Rs.150/-,
A set of 10 cards of sizes 13x18 cms. for Rs.200/-.
Beautiful large size single card 14x21 cms. for Rs. 40/-.
Contact us for details.


Contact us for details.

"In War & Peace: The Life of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw MC"- Director: Jessica Gupta

Available at Parzor Foundation, New Delhi against donations of Rs.350/-
The only authorized film on India's First Field Marshal directed by UNESCO Parzor filmmaker Jessica Gupta, this movie looks at a great military hero from the perspective of history. As Sam converses with his grandson Jehan, Indian history from the time of the 2nd World War comes alive for the youth of today. Full of humour and wit, this VCD with its inlay of rare photographs and unique archival footage, is a collector's item.Click here for more information.

To obtain this VCD from the Parzor foundation Click here for our contact details

PARZOR RELEASES MUSIC ALBUM OF TAPPAS

PARZOR research within India and neighbouring countries confirmed the closely bound strands of our old civilization and culture. Many aspects of this culture are in the danger of being lost to humanity forever. Dr. B.N. Goswamy the world renowned art historian suggested that the PARZOR Foundation should examine some of the ancient musical forms which are in danger of being lost. One such art form was the Tappa.
Tappa one of the most exacting and dazzling but a dying form of Hindustani Classical Music was taken up for preservation. This form of singing is traced to the 15th Century A.D. Camel drivers from regions farther west through Baluchistan and Waziristan to the Multan region (now in Pakistan). Later this form of music travelled to the rest of India and in its classical form became a part of Hindustani Classical music. Its earthy lyrics are sung in the Sairaiki and Multani dialect of Punjabi but still enunciate beautiful Sufi philosophy.

Dr. Shanno Khurana, one of the very few living exponents of this art form agreed to be our principal resource person. She had imbibed this art from her Gurus. The CD Sufi Raha by Dr. Shanno Khurana is an album of music of three Tappas.
The Album Sufi Raah - by Dr. Shanno Khurana is a PARZOR Foundation contribution to the preservation and promotion of the heritage of humanity.

May its listeners find peace and joy as Shanno hauntingly sings of "You I crave - my Lord, the object of my Devotion". CD contains 3 Tappas in Kafi Raga, Jangla Raga and Bhairavi Raga available against a donation of Rs. 299/- at Parzor Foundation. Click here to Contact us.

Oral Traditions: UNESCO Parzor Report on Questionnaire-1(a) Reet Rivaj: Dr. Rumy Mistry and Dr.Shernaz Cama

Available at Parzor Foundation, New Delhi against donations of Rs. 150/-
Did you know that 94% of Parsi's believe in charity, or that more Zoroastrians abroad are members of their local anjumans than Zoroastrians in Indian metros, or that Parsiana is the most highly read community publication*. Find out more about such details of the Parsi Zoroastrian community in this illustrated report.
The recording of Oral Traditions in a rapidly changing world is of great importance in understanding a community. The UNESCO Parzor Reet Rivaj Questionnaire was a voluntary exercise for the Parsi Zoroastrian community. The analysis of the findings reveals issues of change and continuity important not only for the specialist but for all concerned Zoroastrians.
To obtain this report from the Parzor foundation
Click here for our contact details

* All the above data is as per the findings of UNESCO Parzor's Reet Rivaj questionnaire

"Asha: The Law of Harmony" and "Glimpses"- Director: Dushyant Mehta.

Available at Parzor Foundation, New Delhi against donations of Rs.150/-
Zoroastrianism is regarded as a unique ecological religion. In "Asha: The Law of Harmony," the Bronze Age ritual of the Yasna and the Jashan ceremony are enacted and their environmental significance explained. "Glimpses" which is also available in this VCD explains the unique features of the UNESCO Parzor Project, which seeks to document for the first time in history a community in all its possible aspects.
To obtain this VCD from the Parzor foundation Click here for our contact details

UNESCO Parzor Celebrates the 3000th Anniversary of Zoroastrian Culture (Souvenir)

Available at Parzor Foundation, New Delhi against donations of Rs.50/-
UNESCO declared 2003-2004 to be celebrated world wide as the "3000th Anniversary of Zoroastrian Culture". The three day celebrations in Mumbai ranged from an exhibition to seminars, films and entertainment. This Souvenir brought out at that period contains articles on a variety of subjects dealing with Parsi Zoroastrian culture including articles on:
"Parsi Cuisine" by the famous Cordon Blue chef Bhicoo J Maneckshaw."Zoroastrianism - The Belief and the Spirit of the Parsis in India" by Fali Nariman "The Cousin Cultures of India and Iran" by the eminent historian Prof. Lokesh Chandra and many more...
The articles are supported by several rare photographs. This is a document to be preserved for posterity.
To obtain this souvenir from the Parzor foundation Contact us at Parzor Foundation.

UNESCO, New Dehi initiated the PARZOR Project as a Project 302 IND 4070, 'Preservation and Promotion of Parsi Zoroastrian Culture & Heritage.'

Parzor is a non-profit organization. Funds are urgently required for all its activites. We need your support.

Donations by cheque can be made in the name of 'Parzor Foundation' or given in cash to our representative. To place an order or for any further information please contact our representatives at the following locations.For Methods of payment please Click here

The Parzor foundation is a registered society under the Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860. All donations to "Parzor Foundation" are eligible for tax exemption under Sections 12A & 80G of the Income Tax Act India.