Biographical Essay of Phirozshah Damri
This is a biographical essay written in English about Zenobia Panthaki's great grandfather, Phirozshah Damri, which describes his work for the Maharaja of Bhavanagar State. In her oral history interview, Zenobia shares the historical connections of her family in relation to pre-partition India and the roles Parsi Zoroastrians like her ancestors played within their localities.
Zenobia Panthaki's Family
In this slideshow, you will see:
Zenobia Panthaki's grandmother's portrait picture taken in 1919/20. In her oral history interview, Zenobia talks about her family history, particularly since the British rule in India and thereafter. Zenobia shares that this rare photograph along with others were all developed in India before she migrated to the United States.
Silver Vase with Hunting Scene
This is a silver vase that was gifted to Zenobia Panthaki's great grandfather Phirozshah Damri, who worked during the British Raj and was employed in the Maharaja of Bhavnagar's Private Department. This vase was gifted to Phirozeshah by the Maharaja for his service. Zenobia talks about her family ancestry and history in her oral history interview and talks about Phirozeshah's story.
Bhavnagar State Lamp
This is a state lamp gifted to Zenobia Panthaki's great grandfather Phirozshah Damri, who worked during the British Raj and was employed in the Maharaja of Bhavnagar's Private Department. This lamp was gifted to Phirozeshah for his service. Zenobia talks about her family ancestry and history in her oral history interview and talks about Phirozeshah's story.
Meher's Maternal Grandparents, Jal and Bakhtavar
This is a colorized photograph of Meher's maternal grandparents, Jal and Bakhtavar. Meher shares: "Jal-pappa passed away the same year I was born, so I didn't really know him, but we used to visit my grandma Bakhtavar on weekends by taking the train to Andheri."
Meher's Paternal Grandparents, Jehangir and Goola
This is a photograph of Jehangir and Goola, Meher's paternal grandparents who lived in the same house as her while she was growing up. She shared that she was very close to her grandmother especially. She shares: "She was the one who taught me my parsee prayers.
Shera Irani's Scarf
This is a photograph of a scarf given to Kayhan Irani by her grandmother, Shera Irani, from Yazd, Iran. In her oral history interview, Kayhan selected it as one of the objects she'd keep in a time capsule.