In an old, neo-gothic building in Fort, an upmarket area in India's financial capital Mumbai, a notable Parsi magazine, Parsiana, is set to close this October after 60 years of publication.
Founded in 1964 by Pestonji Warden, a Parsi doctor who also ventured into the sandalwood trade, Parsiana has provided insight and connection to the Parsi community, which has been slowly declining in numbers. Subscription and financial challenges, along with the absence of a successor, have led to this decision.
The news has generated sadness among many, including students like Sushant Singh, who remarked, It's like the end of an era. We used to joke about how you weren't a 'true Parsi' if you didn't know about Parsiana.
With heartfelt tributes pouring in, readers express their gratitude for the magazine's role in connecting Zoroastrians worldwide. Jehangir Patel, who has led the magazine since acquiring it for one rupee in 1973, noted that their journalism aimed to tackle sensitive issues with honesty and humor. Not shying away from controversies, the magazine helped spotlight the declining Parsi population and cultural practices.
As the editorial team prepares for the closure, many face the bittersweet mix of tiredness and sadness. Patel assures readers that upcoming issues will reflect on the rich legacy of Parsiana, while he may just have a simple lunch to commemorate its impact, saying, It's a sad occasion. I don't think we'll feel like celebrating.
