The Rise of The Parsi Content Creator
Say hello to the urbane and super witty Parsi Content Creators, who are taking on stereotypes about their community — one Instagram reel at a time!
Welcome to Dizi’s newsletter. Here', you’ll read about super cool Parsi content creators; a gin made from the rainwaters of the wettest place on Earth; and a young gun who’s made Indians at the Oscars proud!
Zeervaan Bunshah. (Photo Courtesy: Instagram/Zeervan Bunshah)
The Rise of the Parsi Content Creator
As far as cliches go, the Parsi stereotype of dikra and dhansak stretches as far as the eyes can point to, or shall we say, Pinto!
But a new wave of Parsi content creators are ready to claim their space on social media, and show their community through their lens — one reel at a time.
There’s Zervaan J Bunshah, who goes by the handle bunshah on Instagram. This chap loves to take on Parsi matchmaking aunties, 50+ bachelors, social gatherings and dwindling numbers. And no, the humor is nowhere near cringe or stereotypical. Rather, it’s nuanced, excellent writing and an extremely charming performance. It’s also a great affirmation for the power of authenticity when it comes to actual representation.
Speaking of actual representation, what better way to learn more about the community than from their own representatives in the first place?
The Instagram page, Zoroastrian Memes often shares informative videos that relate to Zoroastrian religious beliefs and culture. Which is a great way to learn more about the community.
Also, important to give a shoutout to perhaps the first Parsi meme page in the country, theauthenticparsi. Parsis are definitely a community that loves to take a dig at themselves, and what better than for the community to get a meme page which is actually a safe space for the whole community.
Cheers, To the Wettest Place on Earth!
Okay, maybe not the wettest. One of the wettest, precisely quoting from Britannica. But how joyful would a gin be, which is almost poetically made from the distilled rainwater of a region internationally known for its heavy rainfall?
Say hello to Cherrapunji Eastern Craft Gin, which is made from rainwater and native botanicals sourced from the region.
Cheerapunji Eastern Craft Gin. (Photo: Instagram/cherrapunji.craft.gin)
And in case, you are wondering if it is yet another one of those marketing gimmicks of a touristy station, here are some facts:
Borrowing from the principle that most alcohol is anyway 70% distilled water, this one is a sustainable solution to conserve the gallons of rainwater that is lost in the region everywhere.
No, the rainwater is not collected in baltis. It’s actually collected and processed in equipment specially sourced from Australia.
The drink is even packaged sustainably, in a stainless steel bottle with funky artwork that represents the ethos of Cherrapunji. A bottle that can be reused and quite literally open up a conversation, which may or maynot be, one for the road!
Brown Power: the Oscar Academy Gold!
Meet Nethra Gururaj. (Photo Courtesy: Canvas Rebel Magazine)
In some good news for the next generation of media makers, Nethra Gururaj, a talented cinematographer from Bengaluru, has been chosen for the prestigious 2024 Oscar Academy Gold Rising Program, marking her as an emerging star in the world of cinematography. Based in Los Angeles, Nethra has a diverse portfolio ranging from short films to documentaries and music videos. With a Master's degree in Cinematography from the New York Film Academy, she has impressed with her skills in writing, directing, and production design. The Oscar Academy Gold Rising Program is a two-month internship in Hollywood, providing invaluable opportunities for networking and learning from industry professionals. Nethra's selection for the Cinematography production track is a significant achievement in her career, showcasing her potential on a global stage. All we can say is onwards and upwards!