Navroze Mubarak, Mumbai!

Nauheed Cyrusi

Parsi New Year is that time of the year when the city’s Bawa families get together and spend some much needed quality time. Besides wishing each other Navroze Mubarak, food and especially sweets play an important part in any Parsi festivity.
Comedian Cyrus Broacha reveals, “All our festivals are about food and sweets. Parsi festivals are celebrated with food and of course family. Today I am going to be shooting so I do not have a day off but I will try and wrap up early to head home for a late lunch. We have called for Mutton Pulao and since the oil spill, my mother is really skeptical of cooking fish, so no fish for the family. For dessert, there is Lagan Nu Custard, a burnt milk yogurt special delicacy.”
For model Parizad Kolah Marshall, bringing in the New Year with her family and friends has been a ritual she has been religiously following over the years.
The actress who grew up in Cusrow Baug in South Mumbai has fond memories of celebrating Navroze with her entire gang.
“Yesterday was our last day of the year, Pateti, and today is the New Year. I took my grandparents out for lunch yesterday and then spent the day with my friends. When I was young, all of us would bring in the New Year at midnight and it was so much fun. We visit the fire temple early in the morning and then head home to have a nice breakfast. For lunch, it is Dhan Dar Patio, which is dal and rice with either fish or prawn. Our celebrations are all about getting together, having fun along with some good food.”
Actress Kainaz Motivala and her family make it a point to catch up on Parsi plays that are staged especially on the day. “After a sumptuous lunch, we all usually head out in the evening to watch a Parsi play. It has been like a tradition for years now.”
Actress Nauheed Cyrusi confesses that Navroze is that one time of the year she never misses being home.
“I have been home to bring in the New Year every single time since the time I can remember. In fact when we all meet up, we laugh over how we have been so regular with our yearly meetings.”
Biz honcho Parvez Damania says he has always celebrated the festival with his family. “We start the day with a visit to the fire temple, followed by a traditional breakfast of Sev — a vermicelli and curd preparation. Lunch is also the traditional yellow dal, white rice and patio. We visit each other’s houses and send sweets to each other but usually it is a family affair.”