Fishless Pateti for Parsis in Mumbai

For thousands of Parsi families in Mumbai, this year's Parsi New Year celebrations, which happened on August 19, were something different.

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Probably for the first time in its centuries old history of 'Pateti' (Parsi new year) celebrations, they had to celebrate the auspicious occasion without their favourite food—several fish delicacies. Thanks to the recent oil spill off the Mumbai coast which has kept the fish eaters at bay t in Mumbai.

For the Parsis, it is auspicious to have fish delicacies on their plates. Without fish delicacies on their menu — whether it is a wedding or any other occasion — they feel like fishes out of water, literally.

But the recent oil spill off the Mumbai coast has spoiled it all, making it hazardous to have sea food. Many Parsis in the city were forced to celebrate New Year on August 19 without their favourite patra ni machchhi (steamed fish wrapped in banana leaves), saas ni machchhi (sweet and sour fish), fish patio (fish with tomato gravy) et al. Even some barfis are made of fish.

Fish is a protective symbol for the community, saving it from the evils of the world and leading it to prosperity. A legend says that when the evil wanted to finish off the ‘Glory of Light’, the fish hid it in its mouth and saved it.

With fishes out of bound, several families had chicken and mutton spreads for the celebrations.

But avid fish eaters among the Parsis refused to be bogged down by the oil spill. They brought the fishes from Gujarat to celebrate the New Year.