PARSI GARA
Parsis form a small community and are followers of the Zoroastrian faith. Descending from ancient Persia and tracing their origins to pre-Islamic Islam, Parsis migrated to India around the 10th century. The Parsis’ traditional Gara embroidery is influenced by Iranian, Chinese, Indian, and European aesthetics. It is often used to accentuate ceremonial attire, such as saris, and its floral motifs are especially renowned due to the culture’s religious view of nature as a sacred entity. Akshata worked with Parzor (www.unescoparzor.com), a non-profit organization based in New Delhi dedicated to preserving Zoroastrian culture and religion, to translate Parsi motifs onto garments. A donation to the charity has been made to further research and preservation.