WORLD ZOROASTRIAN YOUTH CONGRESS

My co-panelists at the World Zoroastrian Youth Congress held in Vancouver just a few days ago: Narges Nirumvala, a Dale Carnegie Sales Talk Champion and executive speech coach, Quantum Astrophysicist Nergis Mavalvala, recipient of a 2010 MacArthur Genius Grant and Professor at MIT, and myself, recipient of...nevermind.

Up next: a reading with Hari Kunzru on Thursday July 14th at SFU.

PARSI COMMUNITY IN DECLINE

That's something the Zoroastrians have been hearing for a long, long time. It's estimated that by 2020 only 54,000 Parsis shall remain. Interesting video: http://vimeo.com/14117304

REVIEWS IN INDIA

It's wonderful that the novel has been greeted with such enthusiasm in India. I'm sure The Song of Kahunsha and The Cripple and His Talismans shall follow in time. But first, some of the aforementioned enthusiasm:

“Anosh Irani does for Iranis what Rohinton Mistry did for Parsis. The Irani community comes alive for those who do not know it.” – SUNDAY TIMES OF INDIA

"The soul-searching journey of three generations of Iranis is blended into a heart-warming story…The author portrays [an] unlikely yet compelling romance between a young Irani man and an even younger Warli woman with an exquisite touch. The beauty and purity of their love lingers even when it is violently truncated…The stories of generations as well as of individuals unfold on a sweeping scale, intertwining and coming full circle.”
– THE DECCAN HERALD

“… exquisitely plotted, researched and written … a story of intertwined destinies and uncomfortable class divisions crafted in an unapologetic voice.” – MINT LOUNGE

"Anosh Irani's latest offering is a saga of unrelenting tragedy and a tale well told."
– THE CALCUTTA TELEGRAPH

“[Dahanu Road] goes beyond sepia-tinted nostalgia to depict the savage wrestling for power between landlords and Warli workers…the plot [is] taut and suspenseful…a chronicle of the eccentric members of one of the world’s most exclusive and quickly declining clubs – the Zoroastrian community…Alternately tragic and funny, Dahanu Road doesn’t lose sight of it all.” – TIME OUT, NEW DELHI

“… NOT-TO-BE-MISSED…” – ELLE INDIA

“…Dahanu Road is engagingly written and Irani creates a lovable cast of characters.” – MUMBAI BOSS

"Author Anosh Irani provides us with a unique blend of fact and fiction, interspersing village life with realities of Irani history. A heart-wrenching chronicle of love and loss, Dahanu Road is one man's search for truth in a sea of deception." – THE TIMES OF INDIA

NOVEL RELEASED IN INDIA

Harper Collins has published Dahanu Road in India. Had wonderful readings in Bombay and Delhi. Even though my work's been translated into many languages and published in many countries, it's a great feeling to finally see the novel in Indian bookstores.

In the photo, from the left, singer/choreographer Shiamak Davar, Anosh Irani, film director Govind Nihalani, and Bollywood actor Boman Irani at the Bombay launch.

The word STATIONERY can be seen above our heads, but I promise you we weren't selling pens. Or anything of the sort.

BAHROT - AS IT LOOKS RIGHT NOW

With the monsoons finally hitting Dahanu, the hills turn green, shy at first, then suddenly opulent, bursting with color. As mentioned in one of my earlier entries, this is the route to the seven caves where the Iranshah, the Fire Of Victory, was preserved -- and hidden -- for twelve years, when the Muslims invaded Sanjan and forced the Zoroastrians to flee. This fire is believed to be have been kept burning for 1284 years. It currently shines bright and strong in Udvada, Gujarat.

But going back to the photograph, there's something about an Indian monsoon that is unforgettable. The spray of water on your face as you ride your motorcycle, the sudden shiver as the wind makes your shirt balloon, and when you stop riding, and rest, the trickling of water, gurgling, purring away, making you long for a steaming cup of masala chai.

BAHROT DURING THE RAINS

Dahanu turns lush, and the heat disappears. I've heard that in the days before electricity came to Dahanu, the Iranis used to place overturned watermelon shells on their heads to cool things down. Quite an idea; even more fascinating as a fashion statement. But here's Bahrot again, green and inviting. Wish I could be there. Wait a minute. I know that goat.

THE NEXT CHAPTER

Dahanu Road is feautured on the CBC with the lovely Sheila Rogers. Listen here:
http://www.cbc.ca/thenextchapter/

Also on the show, Ryan Knighton talks about his memoir, C'MON PAPA. When I first came to Canada, in my days at Capilano College, I went to the writing centre as I was constantly confused about the usage of commas. Ryan was the instructor there. And now we're on the same radio show. He has a wonderful sense of humor.