Academic Programme on Parsi Zoroastrian Culture and Heritage Studies

What is the Parzor-TISS Academic Programme on Parsi Zoroastrian Culture and Heritage Studies ?

In 2022, Parzor signed an MOU with TISS, India’s foremost institution in the Social Sciences, to start an academic department dedicated to the study of different facets of the Parsi Zoroastrian community and its contribution to society.

The academic programme on Parsi Zoroastrian Culture & Heritage aims to advance the understanding of the community and its diverse perspectives through academic frameworks provided by history, cultural studies, sociology, anthropology, economics, and philosophy. The courses will be taught by a combination of resident faculty members and guest lecturers from institutes across the globe, who are subject experts in the field of Zoroastrian Studies.

Who is it for?

The program is tailored for a diverse audience, specifically targeting young researchers and professionals in emerging and specialized fields. Additionally, the program aims to enhance the study of the Humanities, making it appealing to students across various disciplines. It welcomes those who seek to explore novel ideas while concurrently earning credits for their diploma or degree. The content of the program delves into crucial contemporary issues, including Environment, Pollution, Demographics, Migration, Diasporas, Global Cultures, Continuity and Change, making it relevant and engaging for a broad spectrum of learners.

Where and how for how long ?

Each 2-credit course will run for a 2-3 month duration. The complete Certificate Programme of 20 credits will be completed in roughly ten months.

 

Director´s Message

Dr. Shernaz Cama
Director, Parzor Foundation

Parzor founded under the aegis of UNESCO is today an international repository of information on the vulnerable culture & heritage of the Parsi Zoroastrians. To share this knowledge with the next generation and keep alive academic research into Bronze Age traditions still relevant in a post-modern world is the aim of our collaboration with TISS, India’s leading university in the Social Sciences. An intercultural society that has Persian, Chinese, Indian, and European influences and the Parsi paradigm of fitting into India’s welcoming assimilation, has much to teach diaspora and migration patterns in the world today. 

We welcome you on an exciting journey that will take you across time and geographical distances to help you grow, learn and lead in the world of tomorrow.

Prof. Shankar Das
Pro Vice-Chancellor,
Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS)

It gives me great pleasure to announce the establishment of the TISS-Parzor Centre for Cultural & Heritage Studies. The Indian education sector is constantly evolving into a global hub, embracing new perspectives and challenges. Culture and heritage are fundamental to the ancient civilization of India. Both South Asia and the Persian Gulf share strong commercial, energy, cultural, and people-to-people links. Therefore, a multicultural interpretation of this relationship is what will make the TISS-Parzor Academic Programme, the first-ever Academic Programme on Parsi Cultural and Heritage Studies, an exciting journey. I wish all those involved great success.

Expert´s Speak

Prof. Almut Hintze
Zartoshty Brothers Professor of Zoroastrianism, co-chair, Department of Religions and Philosophies, SOAS University of London

The academic programme on Parsi Zoroastrian Culture & Heritage of PARZOR and TISS is the first sustained and comprehensive degree programme in India on the Parsi cultural and religious heritage. Taking a truly interdisciplinary approach, the programme will not only contribute to the study, teaching and learning of Parsi Zoroastrian traditions but also raise awareness to the importance of Zoroastrian heritage and contribute to its appreciation and preservation. The SOAS Shapoorji Pallonji Institute of Zoroastrian Studies is looking forward to a fruitful collaboration.

Faculty

Objective and Outcomes

 

Objectives

The story of the community’s resilience and cultural survival is a case-study in tradition and continuity, adaptation and assimilation, multiculturalism and philanthropy; of agency and ownership, with the idea of giving back to their new home. Today, with refugees and migration across the globe, the Parsi Zoroastrian paradigm can be an example of integration while keeping a distinct cultural identity. This unique identity of the community is a confluence of its Iranian and Indian background, with European and even Chinese influence. The cultural wisdom and entrepreneurial zeal of the community is evident in varied spheres from ecological best practices to the pivotal role in shaping contemporary cities like Mumbai. However, a systematic academic study of the Parsi-Zoroastrian community and its imprint on society has not been attempted heretofore in India or outside, nor have formal Cultural Studies been instituted in the field.

Learning Outcomes

The main aims (learning outcomes) of the Academic Programme are to:

  • Make the Parsi Zoroastrian perspective known to a generation which has not been exposed to this culture.

  • Create a new way of exploring Diaspora and Migration Studies, English, Gujarati and Persian Literature, Theatre and Film Studies.

  • Encourage the study and preservation of tangible and intangible forms of a heritage of humanity.

  • Explain the core customs and rituals that form the heart of Zoroastrianism vis-a-vis the current ecological scenario.

  • Provide a consolidated digital resource platform offering online access to rare Zoroastrian texts from the world over.

  • Showcase crafts and customs in traditional and AV formats from Parzor Foundation’s archives to understand symbols and a continuity of culture.

  • Crafts Workshops and Public Lectures.

Curriculum and Further Details

There is one Foundation Course and ten Elective Courses offered as part of the Certificate Programme, each worth 2-credits. In order to complete the Certificate requirements of 20-credits, a student would need to complete the Foundation Course, any seven Electives and a Research Project / Dissertation.

Foundation Course: Philosophy, History & Culture: Dr. Shernaz Cama and other guest faculty

 
Course Curriculum
TRACK ELECTIVE COURSE

Language and Tradition

1. Oral Tradition, Ecology and Rituals
Dr. Sarah Stewart and other guest faculty

2. Avestan language
Prof. Almut Hintze

Parsi Literature

 3. Parsi Literature in English

Prof. Coomi Vevaina and other guest faculty

4. Persian and Parsi Gujarati Literature
Dr. Kerman Daruwalla and other guest faculty

Historical Perspectives

5. History, Archaeology and Heritage

Dr. Kurush Dalal and other guest faculty

6. Print History and Journalism
Dr. Firdaus Gandavia and other guest faculty

Contemporary Studies

7. Parsis and Modern India
Dr. Meher Mistry and guest faculty

8. Zoroastrian Demographics
S Siva Raju and 2 Faculty Members
 Art and Material Culture  9. Material Culture: Arts, Crafts and Architecture

Prof. Kavas Kapadia, Dr. Shernaz Cama and other guest faculty

10. Parsi Theatre and Performing Arts
Dr. Abhimanyu Acharya and other guest faculty

Fee Details and Application Process

  1. The full programme fee shall be about: ₹Rs 50,000 + GST

  2. The fee for enrolling for an individual Course will be about ₹ 7,000. Participants will obtain a course completion certificate upon successfully completing the course requirements.

  3. Kindly fill in your contact details and preferences in the below information form. You are encouraged to explain your reasons for pursuing this Programme. We will send regular updates to your email ID.

For any queries, please write to tiss.parzor@gmail.com or send a WhatsApp message at: +91 9321648323.