A Tribute to Late Dasturji Farmroze Navroji Kutar

Friends,

Roj Adar, Mah Avan 1381 Y.Z.

Tomorrow on 24th March, 2012 being 84th Anniversary Salgreh of Rustam Faramna Agiary, on that joyous occasion forwarding the under mentioned article which was originally written in Gujarati by Jehangirji S. Chiniwalla paying tribute to Dastur Faramroze Navroji Kutar Dastur Darab Pahlan. This article has appeared in booklet in the year 1958 on 30th anniversary of Rustam Faramna Agiary which coincided exactly with 1st death Anniversary of Dastur Faramroze Navroji Kutar. The oil painting of Dasturji Faramroze Kutar which is presently in the Prayer hall was inaugurated in 1958 on the above occasion, and was painted by late Minocher Patel himself a khshnoomist.

Dastur Dr. Hormuzdiar Mirza of Sanjana Tola or clan connected to Shri Pak Iranshah AtashBehram has given additional information about Dasturji Farmroze Kutar in above mentioned Gujarati booklet worth mentioning and is mentioned below:-

“Dasturji Faramroze became Navar and Maratab at ripe age of 13 years and has done various Pavmahal kriyas like Nirangdin, Hamayasht, Vandidad, Yajashne and also had vast knowledge of consecrating and ijvanu of Pak Makan or Fire temples.

Besides he being an avid student of Zoroastrian literature was also conversant in making beautiful poems in Farsi Language.

Besides translation of Shahnamah in 10 Volumes he compiled Dictionary of Farsi Language in Gujarati script for Gujarati readers composing of nearly 1,75,000 words and its meaning.

Out of his nine decades of worldly life, he spent 70 years of his life in service to two Daremehers in Mumbai, that of Rustam Faramna Agiary at Dadar and another at Tata Agiary situated at Bandra.”

Read on further.

Regards,

Firdosh K. Sukhia





Late Jehagirji Sohrabji Chiniwalla pays tribute to Dastur Faramroze Navroji Kutar.

My association with Dasturji Faramroze Navroji Kutar extends to over 35 long years. We don’t make any more the likes of him and he is considered as the last of the Dasturs who lead a strict life of Ashoi and tried to follow as much of tarikats as he can. He descended from Bhagarsath Tola Athornan family of Navsari, from bloodline of Dastur Darab Pahlan Faredun family and practiced Yozdathregari right from his early ripe age and also studied Zarathosti Religion in a Traditional method as was the practice in those days.


The first impression that late Jehangirji S. Chiniwala had when he came face to face with Dastur Faramroze was that of instant reverence and respect which automatically came from his heart. Dasturji's radiating nobility which was very much apparent on his face was enough to command respect from anybody. He was very soft spoken and was always cool, calm and well composed when he spoke with sweetness and love, respect towards anybody. late Jehangirji on his first meeting with the Dasturji understood very well that here was a Dastur of great caliber and nobility. In those olden days there were many other Amaldar Yozdathregars of bygone years whom we have forgotten today who used to subjugate Gin, Pari and evil spirits with their power of ashoi and Manthra prayers. Dasturji Mullan Feroze and Kukadaru saheb were those great Dasturs that we know of. Dasturji Faramroze Kutar was the last such Dastur that our community was fortunate to have him with us. He used to religiously practice Tarikaats of Ashoi as much as he can which was the source of his inner spiritual strength.

Today we have with us a school of studying Zarathosti religion known as school of Philology where one tries to understand our scriptures by applying grammar as we understand of. The other older method that Athornan class used to study our religion, was the old traditional way as was practiced by our forefathers which was known as Traditional school of Zoroastrian studies. Dastuji Faramroze had commenced his Zoroastrian studies applying the old method as practiced by our forefathers. Later on he also took help of Philology school to further enhance his studies with much broader spectrum. Finally he studied our religion as per School of ilme-Khshnoom, much to his satisfaction and to his heart’s content he received satisfactory explanations to all his queries.

Parsi community when they settled in Sanjan in India used to speak Persian language also called as Shirin zaban or very sweet language. At that time the present Gujarati language that we speak today was not even in existence than. Parsis of those days had never severed themselves from their ancestral Persian language, but since last century Gujarati has become our mother tongue. The Yozdathregar of those days were very conversant with Persian language. Ervad Behman Kaykobad had written Kisseh Sanjan in Farsi. Learned "Dasturji Mullan Firoze Bin Mullan kaus Jallali" who belonged to kadmi tola was proficient and an expert in Farsi language and literature. He had during the beginning of British rule written "George-Namah" for King George the fourth. A copy of it was sent to King George the fourth who was very happy and as a mark of respect for his efforts generously donated a princely sum which Dastur Mullan will receive throughout his life time.

Dasturji Faramroze Kutar was also proficient in Farsi Literature who used to compose beautiful couplets and poems in Farsi language. He observed that Shahnamah was translated in English, French, Italian, German languages but it was not done so in Gujarati Language which is considered the mother tongue of Parsi Community. Also word to word translation of Shahnamah in Gujarati language was conspicuous by its absence. Hence he decided to take this mighty venture as his own responsibility and he along with his elder Brother Ervad Mahiyar Navroji Kutar came out with 10 volume full of Shahnamah translations in Gujarati with Farsi couplets side by side in Gujarati script. Parsi community owe a lot to Dasturji Faramroze and his brother Mahiyar for translating Shahnamah and making it available for Parsi community who do not know how to read Persian script and understand it. Each and every Parsi household should have Shahnamah in their home and should be considered as holy next to our Pak Khordeh Avesta only.

Dasturji Faramroze Kutar led a strict disciplined life of piety trying to practice as much Tarikats as he can. He meticulously performed all his worldly and spiritual duties and utilized every minute of an hour systematically knowing the value of time. He tried to observe all Tarikats that a Athornan is supposed to follow even under difficult trying times. Dasturji Faramroze had implicit faith on Tarikat Marg, Kriya Marg, Manthra vani and its many benefits as shown in our Zarathosti din. He was very much aware that the school of Philology was unable to give satisfactory explanations to many of doubts that aroused on topics of Tarikats and Kriya. He was prepared to study impartially and was a seeker of truth no matter the source.

When he impartially studied Tarikat Marg, Kriya Marg, Manthra vani, Varna, classification of souls and its vast machinery in nature in form of many religions, many paths but one goal as shown and explained in ilme-Khshnoom, he immediately recognized it as truth that he was seeking for. He thus developed explicit faith on all teachings of ilme-Khshnoom and was its student till the very last. At one instance Late Jehangirji Chiniwala as he continued his narration said that whilst he was in the midst of a lecture on the topic of Avesta Manthravani and its many benefits for a Zarathusti. Dasturji Faramroze being in the midst of the lecture narrated a strange incident that had actually occurred in his own life. Dasturji Faramroze further said that in Navsari there was a Magician who made a claim of recognizing any object hidden in the closed fist of a hand. Dasturji Faramroze wrapped his Padan that he used to wear whilst praying Manthra in his fist and tightly closed it whilst praying Ahunavar kalam. Much to the chagrin of the magician he was unable to guess what was lying enclosed in Dasturji's tightly closed fist.

In another lecture of Late Jehangirji on topic of Tarikat Marg and Ashoi and its many benefits Dasturji Faramroze accepted that he had deep faith in all tarikats and narrated his another experience by saying that one of his colleague was suffering from toe nail infection and refused to heal in spite of Surgically making an incision in it. Dasturji Faramroze prayed Nirang for him and advised his colleague to follow Baaj that is given to us before we pair our nails and before haircut. On following Dasturji's advise the wound got healed very fast.

During Vansda Juddin Navjote controversy a book titled "Vatlavana Sawal Mateno Vadvivad" was written by Dr. Faramroze S. Chiniwalla as an answer to controversy where it was shown that in nature there is existing machinery of various religions. The book contained quotes from Avesta scriptures and its true meanings explained as per ilme-Khshnoom. The reformists had misquoted Avesta, scriptures twisted and misrepresented merely to prove their point that Proselytism being valid in our religion. Dasturji Faramroze Kutar studied Dr Saheb Faramroze Chiniwalla's book with impartially and as per his own knowledge of philology was impressed by Dr Saheb Faramroze Chiniwalla's book. Dastur Faramroze Kutar had at that time written a detailed review in Jame Jamshed paper and challenged the learned scholars to come forward and show their case in contrast to what has been written and proved by Dr Saheb Faramroze Chiniwalla in his above mentioned book. None showed up and accepted the challenge. Dastur Faramroze thus accepted with open arms ilme-Khshnoom and its teachings that Proselytism is not acceptable in our religion.

Dasturji Faramroze had implicit faith towards all the canons as shown in our Zarathosti deen and with his systematic studies strengthened his faith further. He was sweet natured and whenever there were various opinions he never lost his cool and always put forward his explanations and his view point with love and affection which was a sterling quality that he possessed.

Jehangirji Chiniwalla further reiterated that none were able to recognize the gem that we had in our midst called as Dastur Faramroze Navroji Kutar and Magnum Opus Shahnamah that he translated in Gujarati into 10 Masterly Volumes. As a token of appreciation and on behalf of "ilme Khshnoom felavnari Committee" he was posthumously honoured with a Casket and Certificate of recognition or "Maanpatra" for his noble services of translating Shahnameh and other works. Dasturji Faramroze's oil painting frame was also inaugurated and kept open for the devotees to view.

Late Jehangirji Chiniwalla further said that today Samast Anjuman has gathered to pay homage to such a great soul which is itself very heartwarming and satisfactory. Our community has many things to learn from illustrious and distinguished life of Dasturji Faramroze Navroji Kutar.

………………To be continued


What follows next is full serializing in Parts the complex subject of “The 16 qualities of an Athrawan” from Parsee Avaz of 1959. Also detailed explanation is required which I have given from Parsee Avaz dated 22.11.1959. Late Jehangirji Sohrabji Chiniwala has given a beautiful Khshnoomic explanation as to why did the magician fail in finding out what was hidden (Padan) in Late Dasturji Faramroze N Kutar’s hand (fist) and how this miracle was possible. Besides we tend to call any phenomenon that does not fit in our five physical senses as miracle but such is not the case. The tenets of our religion if observed meticulously and sincerely will one day lead us to salvation and the powers that come along with it is no short of miracle to an ordinary human mind with his physical five senses. Detailed explanation will follow the Series in Parts yet to come.

Firdosh


Hum Mithra at 7 a.m.

2 Yatha Ahu Vairyo, 1 Ashem Vohu

"Let no harm come upon the Traditional Zoroastrian flag and its values which are so dear to us. Let the reformists agenda never suceed and their nefarious plans be upturned. Let no harm befall upon Pavmahal of India that is - our Iranshah of Udwada and all Atash Behram, Atash Adran and Dadgah of India. The things that we value most like Holy consecrated Fire(Pavmahal), Dokhmas, Sudreh Kusti which acts as a weapon to thwart evil, and let us protect our racial traits of Parsi panu through Boonak Pasbani by not marrying outside. That is how we will be able to maintain our true Zarathosti Khandani. Let the advent of Shah Behram Varjawand and his fore runners come soon and protect us from this mess. Let my Kusti Padiav and my Tarikats be helpful to nature to fight for the cause of Righteousness against the evil negative forces of Drujis, and may it protect us all Zarathustis and entire humanity who live by religion and its tenets"

........1 Yatha Ahu Vairyo, 2 Ashem Vohu