From a small fishing village to a teeming metropolis, Karachi has been home to all and sundry — from the natives to the conquering British and then the streams of immigrants who embarked at its port in search of a better future. To each in turn it has bestowed the best of its bounties and all who have made it their home have added another dimension to its multifaceted culture, but perhaps no community has done more for Karachi than the Zoroastrians.

Educationists, philanthropists, administrators and entrepreneurs, the Parsis as they are fondly called, have given Karachi everything from the best educational institutions, state-of-the-art hospitals, the fanciest hotels and beautiful architecture. But perhaps their most precious gift to their hometown has been their indefatigable zest for life; their joie de verve and eternal optimism that made the City of Lights sparkle in days of yore.

Nauzer Commissariat is one of the many Parsis who remembers those halcyon days with wistful joy.

“The Parsis were known as the ones who made Pakistan. When they migrated here they owned almost everything: real estate, shipping, hotels, cinemas — Paradise and Capital — a maternity home, a hospital, schools and even a university. The Parsi-owned Hotel Metropole and Beach Luxury, with their swinging night clubs and risqué cabaret, were the places to see and be seen by the upper crust of the Parsi community. A lot of foreigners, especially the flight and crew members of international airlines stayed here as well. Then there was the Grand Hotel, located beyond the airport, far from the hustle bustle of the city which was a great get-away spot for the entire family.

But posh hotels weren’t the only place you would find the Parsi community; they could find pleasure in the simplest of things. “On Sunday evenings, the Parsis used to throng places like Kothari parade, Frere hall, old Clifton and the Karachi Parsi Institute (KPI). The KPI, especially was popular with the youngsters as it provided facilities for tennis, cricket, billiards, swimming and weight lifting which many of the youth indulged in. Going to the races was another popular occupation and some of the better-off Parsis owned and trained horses as well; there were some Parsi jockeys too.

“The Parsi youth were famous athletes and swimmers, so much so that they used to take part in swimming marathons beginning from Kemari to Manora Island. Apart from this they had a great talent for drama and theatre and even had performers coming in from India, who acted in stage plays”, remembers Nauzer.

“Katrak Hall, Khursheed Bai chawl, Rustum chawl, Jamshed Bagh, Parsi Punchant…” Nauzer recites the names of some of the main Parsi colonies of the city during the 60s and 70s in a fond voice, almost as if speaking of old friends. Bohri Bazaar was a main centre of activity as many of these colonies were located in or around that area; while many of the Parsis have moved to different locations or gone abroad, the old fire temple still stands tall.

“I remember the time when very few Parsis had cars. Most would ride in horse carriages (Victorias) whether going to school or taking trips to old Clifton for picnics.” A gregarious bunch of people, the Parsis would make it a point to visit each other on every festive occasion, Sundays especially being the day when entire families got together. “For the Parsis every Sunday was a family feast day, where they enjoyed Dhansak (a delicious dish of daal and rice.” The two most important religious festivals, NavRoze (celebrated in March) and the ‘Papetti’ (celebrated in August) were also a great time for food, fun and family.

Though entertainment options were far more restricted back in the 60s, the Parsis found ways to enjoy life; going to the cinema was one such means. “We would all wear what we saw in the movies”, shares Nauzer. “Dresses and skirt/blouses were worn by the girls, pants and shirts by the boys. There was no concept of shalwar kammeez being worn by anyone.”

But, in spite of their fun-loving spirit and laid back attitude, Parsis were known for their academic excellence, professionalism and hard work. “Job advertisements specifically mentioned ‘Parsis Wanted’. The two most common jobs held by Parsis were the post of cashier for men and personal secretary for women. This was evident from the fact that, for two to three decades after partition, 90 per cent of all bank cashiers were Parsis — employed for their skill and their intrinsic honesty.” And anyone who attended school during the 60s and 70s will remember at least a few Parsi teachers who, though strict, were the best at their job.

“Parsis are brought up according to strict principles and taught to practice certain values in daily life, such as ‘Good thoughts, good words and good deeds’. And of course charity… a famous slogan of the Parsis’ is ‘Parsi, thy name is charity’.” Indeed, looking at how many of our leading health and educational institutions are a gift of Parsi philanthropy, one cannot but agree with Nauzer Commissariat.