Of Bun Maska and Greatness
Homage to the Parsi community
I recently visited Udwada, a quaint seaside town in Gujarat, not far from Daman. You might wonder—why would anyone go there? What’s so special about this little place?
Udwada is home to the Udvada Atash Behram, the most sacred Zoroastrian fire temple in India, housing the oldest continuously burning sacred fire. Unfortunately, I couldn’t step inside since only Parsis are allowed, but I did visit the Zoroastrian Museum. If you’re curious about how the Parsis came to India and why Udwada became such a significant place, this museum is a goldmine of history and stories.
My introduction to Parsi culture started with the name ‘Mr. Bejan Daruwala.’ I remember chuckling—who has a surname that sounds like it’s linked to liquor? (Daru means liquor in Hindi) I soon learned that many Parsi surnames reflect ancestral professions, and ‘Daruwala’ gave me my first glimpse into the unique world of the Parsis—a small but vibrant community in India, rich in heritage and tradition.
While Mr. Daruwala sparked my curiosity, it was the legacy of the Tatas that turned that curiosity into deep admiration. The Parsis, though a close-knit and dwindling community primarily based in Mumbai, Pune, and parts of Gujarat, have given so much to India. Trying to capture it all in one post would be nearly impossible.
I’ve been a fan of Mr. Ratan Tata long before Instagram transformed his quotes—both real and imaginary—into viral sensations. It got so out of hand that Mr. Tata himself had to step in and clarify that he hadn’t uttered most of those fiery statements circulating online!
What sets Mr. Tata and the Tatas apart isn’t just their business acumen; it’s their humility and resilience. Despite his stature, Mr. Tata carried himself with such grace and zero ego—it’s a rare sight these days. His actions always spoke louder than words, and the way the Tatas conduct themselves is nothing short of inspiring.
They were the pioneers of the provident fund scheme in India—long before it was mandated by the government. A significant chunk of their profits goes to charity and welfare initiatives. If you ask anyone in India what comes to mind when they hear ‘Tata,’ the first word you’ll probably hear is ‘Trust.’
There are endless stories about the Tatas’ deep-rooted values that don’t just shape good employees but also create better human beings. I had the privilege of delving into these values during one of my MBA courses. Take the terror attack on the Taj Hotel as an example—many employees, driven by a deep sense of duty, risked their lives to protect their guests. It’s human instinct to think of your own survival in such situations, but the bravery shown by these employees was exceptional. Numerous studies have tried to unravel what drove them, and if you’re curious, you can read more about it here and here.
But it’s not just their values; Parsi cuisine is another delightful gift to the world!
During my time in Pune (Gosh, I miss the city already just talking about it!), I made it my mission to taste every Parsi dish I could. From the humble Bun Maska to the crispy Chicken and Mutton Cutlets, the rich Akuri, and the vibrant Ardy’s Sodas—you could never get bored with their food.
And the cherry on top? Their unapologetic sense of humor. Check out the special rules they print on their menus—like “No flirting with the Cashier.” I can’t decide if it’s the food or the humor that makes me love them more!
I even have a half-Parsi friend, and I’m convinced that most of his coolness comes straight from his Parsi gene pool.
But my feelings about the Parsis aren’t all rosy. They’ve stirred a bit of envy in me too. I once shared an
Instagram post admitting how jealous I felt of Shantanu’s personal bond with Mr. Tata. Imagine being lucky enough to not just work with him but call him a friend!
I know Shantanu worked hard to get where he did, but reading his book left my logical side momentarily shut down. Why couldn’t it be me?
With the recent news of Mr. Ratan Tata passing away, India lost a gem. He wasn’t just a business icon but a great human first. He is one of the role models I always look up to and losing someone of his stature feels like a loss of a guiding light—not only for me but for countless others who looked up to him. His legacy is one I’ll always admire and strive to reflect.
The more I learn about the Parsi community, the more I feel this quiet sadness. The community that has given us so much is shrinking every day (Source: NY Times).
It’s heartbreaking to think that such a beautiful, culturally rich, and generous community might fade away in the future. Not sure what would that mean for India’s diversity and heritage but while we can, at least try the Parsi cuisine!
On a lighter note, your encouragement is a great motivator for me.
Who doesn’t like validation, right?😇
And it come in any shape or form - like this post, share it with your friend, comment on it, subscribe to it, buy me a PS5, payoff my education loan, buy me a new bike or anything else. Possibilities are endless! 🤩
I’ll leave the goodwill gesture up to you!
Want to read more articles? Below are my favorite ones:
The mutton keema. Still can never get over mutton keema!
So many fond memories of Bun Maska & Irani chai with Dad & later my wife ☺️