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{{Short description|Indian educator, playwright, feminist}}
{{AFC submission|d|ilc|declinets=20140604143602|decliner=Lixxx235|ts=20140604125819|u=Sanjeevani Rao|ns=5}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2014}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}}
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'''Shirin Framroze Darasha''' (December 27, 1938 - May 2, 2012) was the Principal of the [http://jbpetithighschool.com/home.php Jehangir Bomanji Petit (J.B. Petit) High School for Girls, Mumbai] from 1973 - 2006.<ref>http://jbpetithighschool.com/testimonial.php<ref> She was a renowned Indian educator, playwright and feminist who challenged many stereotypes and frozen traditions in Indian society. She had strong views on the importance of “joy” during childhoods. She was not in favour of the excess work-load and homework fetish that dominated and still dominated the Indian educational scene. She took issue with the prevalent view that girls were at a disadvantage apropos of mathematics and sciences. She maintained that in a nurturing environment where they were not intentionally or otherwise, set up to fail in comparison with boys, girls could and would flourish and blossom. Her creative use of drama in education was an extension of her enduring interest in the stage - as playwright, producer and director. Over the years, Ms. Darasha established herself as a distinct and passionate figure in the field of female education in India.

{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Shirin Framroze Darasha
| name = Shirin Framroze Darasha
| image = File:Shirin Darasha's profile photo.png|thumbnail
| image =
| caption = Principal of [http://jbpetithighschool.com/home.php Jehangir Bomanji Petit (J.B. Petit) High School for Girls, Mumbai] (1973 - 2006)
| caption = Principal of J. B. Petit High School for Girls, Mumbai (1973–2006)
| birth_date = 27 December 1938
| birth_date = 27 December 1938
| death_date = 2 May 2012
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|2012|05|02|1938|12|27}}<ref name="The Times of India"/>
| occupation = [[Pedagogue]], [[Feminist]], [[Playwright]]
| occupation = [[Pedagogy]], [[feminist]], playwright
| nationality = [[Indian]]
| nationality = Indian
| ethnicity = [[Parsi]]
| religion = [[Buddhism]]
| language = [[Gujarati]], English
}}
}}


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'''Shirin Framroze Darasha''' (27 December 1938 – 2 May 2012)<ref name="The Times of India">{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Ex-principal-of-J-B-Petit-passes-away/articleshow/12972858.cms|title= Ex-principal of J B Petit passes away|date= 3 May 2012|accessdate= 29 June 2014|work=The India Times}}</ref> headed the J.B. Petit High School For Girls as the School Principal for over three decades,<ref name="The Times of India"/> from 1973 – 2007.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Testimonials|url=http://jbpetithighschool.com/testimonial.html|access-date=2020-12-08|website=jbpetithighschool.com}}</ref> A renowned Indian educator, playwright and feminist, she challenged many stereotypes and traditions in Indian society. She had strong views on the importance of "joy" during childhood. She was not in favour of the excessive work-load and homework fetish that continued to dominate the Indian educational scene.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /> She took issue with the prevalent view that girls were at a disadvantage apropos of mathematics and sciences. Darasha maintained that in a nurturing environment where they were not [[set up to fail]] in comparison with boys, girls would flourish and blossom.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2006-05-27|title=Hungama TV COO Zarina Mehta|url=https://www.indiantelevision.com/special/y2k6/ms_media/zarina.htm|access-date=2020-12-26|website=Indian Television Dot Com|language=en}}</ref> Her creative use of drama in education was an extension of her enduring interest in the stage – as playwright, producer and director. Over the years, Darasha established herself as a distinct and passionate figure in the field of female education in India.<ref>{{cite web|title=One Revolutionary Salutes Another|first= Soma|last= Das|url=http://www.mid-day.com/articles/one-revolutionary-salutes-another/183198|date=28 September 2012|accessdate= 29 June 2014|publisher=MidDay}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2012-05-07|title=Teachers we love|url=https://www.mid-day.com/articles/teachers-we-love/161685|access-date=2020-12-26|website=mid-day|language=en}}</ref>
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== Early life and background ==


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== Early life and education ==
Shirin Darasha was born and brought up in Mumbai in a Zoroastrian family of the [[Parsi]] community.
She matriculated from Queen Mary's School, completed a Bachelor's in Psychology at [[St. Xavier's College, Mumbai]] and did a Master's in Psychology from [[Bombay University]].
She was awarded a [[Fulbright scholarship]] to obtain a Master's Degree in Education from East West University, Hawaii.


Shirin Darasha was born to a [[Parsis|Parsi]] family and raised in [[Mumbai|Bombay]], India.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Educator par excellence - Indian Express|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/educator-par-excellence/950157/0|access-date=2020-10-11|website=archive.indianexpress.com}}</ref>
== Career ==


On graduating (matriculation) from Queen Mary School, Bombay she attended [[St. Xavier's College, Mumbai]], studying for a Bachelor's in Psychology. On completion, she studied further to earn her master's degree in psychology, also from [[Bombay University]]. To pursue further studies abroad, Shirin Darasha was awarded the [[Fulbright scholarship]]. She completed her master's degree in education from [[East-West Center]], Hawaii.
Prior to her appointment as Principal of J.B. Petit School in 1972, Shirin Darasha worked at Hindi Vidya Bhavan and The Bombay International School.
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Ms. Darasha was a talented playwright who focussed on themes and personalities associated with twentieth century Indian history. Her popular play “[[Madam Cama]]” was first staged in 1988. In 1990, during the [http://www.wzcmumbai.com/.php Fifth World Zoroastrian Congress], a special performance of the play was included in the proceedings. The play was also televised on [[Doordarshan]]. In her plays, Ms. Darasha challenged social conventions that resulted in women being stereotyped. She was particularly caustic about matrimonial advertisements; she dealt head-on with the Indian preference for “light complexions” and made a characteristic case for how "dark skin" was beautiful. Ms. Darasha’s collaborations with [[Pearl Padamsee]] in various stage productions in Mumbai were well known and widely admired.
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Ms. Darasha was elated when her J.B. School Debate Team won the all-India Debate Competition hosted by the [[Foundation for Universal Responsibility of His Holiness the Dalai Lama]]; the prize was a trip for the whole debate team and for Ms Darasha to visit His Holiness the Dalai Lama at his ashram and have a private audience with him. This was particularly appropriate given Ms. Darasha’s interest and identification with Buddhism. In February 1988, the [http://www.parsiana.com/.php Parisiana] ran an article entitled "The 'Principal' of Drama" which focused on her lifelong passion for the stage. In her interview, she declared that she did not consider herself religious, though she had Buddhist leanings. When she died, based on her instructions, there was no traditional Parsi funeral. Instead, her body was cremated in a simple non-denominational funeral service.


== Death ==
== Career as playwright ==


⚫
Darasha was a talented playwright who focused on themes and personalities associated with twentieth century Indian history. Her popular play "[[Madam Cama]]" was first staged in 1988. In 1990, during the Fifth World Zoroastrian Congress, a special performance of the play was included in the proceedings. The play was also televised on [[Doordarshan]]. In her plays, Darasha challenged social conventions that resulted in women being stereotyped. She was particularly caustic about matrimonial advertisements; she dealt head-on with the Indian preference for "light complexions" and made a characteristic case for how "dark skin" was beautiful. Darasha's collaborations with [[Pearl Padamsee]] in various stage productions in Mumbai were well known and widely admired.<ref>{{cite web|title=Remembering Pearl Padamsee|first=Anil|last=Dharker|url=http://lite.epaper.timesofindia.com/mobile.aspx?article=yes&pageid=30&sectid=edid=&edlabel=TOIM&mydateHid=22-04-2010&pubname=&edname=&articleid=Ar03000&publabel=TOI.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714193922/http://lite.epaper.timesofindia.com/mobile.aspx?article=yes&pageid=30&sectid=edid=&edlabel=TOIM&mydateHid=22-04-2010&pubname=&edname=&articleid=Ar03000&publabel=TOI.php|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 July 2014|accessdate=4 July 2014|publisher=The Times Group}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Humour in disguise|url=https://www.theweek.in/theweek/leisure/2018/07/21/humour-in-disguise.html|access-date=2020-12-11|website=The Week|language=en}}</ref>[[File:Irish Blessing that Shirin Darasha handed out to every student and teacher under her aegis.jpg|thumb|Inspirational blessing that Shirin Darasha handed out to each and every student and teacher who was under her aegis when she was principal]]
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At the age of 74, Shirin Darasha died of pulmonary fibrosis. She was cremated and her funeral was attended by hundreds of students and teachers who had been taught, mentored and inspired by her over the decades.


== Photos ==
== Career as principal ==
After working, at Hindi Vidya Bhavan and The Bombay International School, Darasha was appointed as Principal of J.B. Petit School in 1972. She was also known for encouraging her students to be more open as her front door donned the sign "Please Do Disturb".<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-01|title=Romancing the stones|url=https://www.mid-day.com/articles/romancing-the-stones/23069267|access-date=2020-12-11|website=mid-day|language=en}}</ref> She incorporated what she learned from the performing arts into her teachings and used the concepts of drama to instill confidence in her pupils.<ref name=":0" />


⚫
Darasha was elated when her J.B. School Debate Team won the all-India Debate Competition hosted by the [[Foundation for Universal Responsibility of His Holiness the Dalai Lama]]; the prize was a trip for the whole debate team and for Darasha to visit the Dalai Lama at his ashram and have a private audience with him.<ref name=":1">{{dead link|date=July 2014}}{{cite web|title=Remembering Ms Darasha|url=http://jbpetithighschool.com/remembering_ms_darasha9.php|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714165545/http://jbpetithighschool.com/remembering_ms_darasha9.php|archivedate=14 July 2014|accessdate=4 July 2014|publisher=J. B. Petit High School|df=dmy-all}}</ref> This was particularly appropriate given Darasha's interest and identification with Buddhism.This was particularly appropriate given Darasha's interest and identification with [[Buddhism]]. In February 1988, Zoroastrian community magazine ''[[Parsiana]]'' ran an article entitled "The 'Principal' of Drama" which focused on her lifelong passion for the stage. In her interview, she declared that she did not consider herself religious, though she had Buddhist leanings.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=Shirin Darasha retires {{!}} Events & Personalities|url=https://www.parsiana.com/current-issue/articles.aspx?id=MW7bFAX70bM=&issue=68|access-date=2020-12-26|website=www.parsiana.com}}</ref>{{full citation needed|date=April 2018}}
<gallery mode= packed heights=300px>
File:Irish_Blessing_that_Shirin_Darasha_handed_out_to_every_student_and_teacher_under_her_aegis.jpg|Inspirational blessing that Shirin Darasha handed out to each and every student and teacher who was under her aegis when she was principal
File:Shirin_Darasha_Dalai_Lama.jpg|Shirin Darasha on the top right hand corner, the Dalai Lama surrounded by J.B. Petit students
</gallery>


== See also ==
== Death ==


⚫
At the age of 73, Shirin Darasha died of pulmonary fibrosis. She was cremated, and her funeral was attended by hundreds of students and teachers who had been taught, mentored and inspired by her over the decades.<ref name="The Times of India" />
[[List of Parsis]]


== References ==
== References ==

{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
# 'Empowering Educationist' article in the Parsiana by Parinaz Gandhi
# [http://antaraganguli.wordpress.com/2012/05/06/an-eulogy-for-ms-darasha-the-best-kind-of-teacher-the-best-kind-of-woman/ 'A Beautiful Mind'] article by Antara Ganguli, Asian Age correspondent
# 'Educator Par Excellence' article in the Indian Express by [[Jerry Rao]]<ref>"[[File:Article_by_Jerry_Rao_about_Shirin_Darasha.pdf]]"</ref>


== External links ==
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Darasha, Shirin}}
* {{Official website|http://jbpetithighschool.com/|J. B. Petit High School For Girls official website}}
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[[:Category:Indian theatre directors]]

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[[:Category:Indian theatre managers and producers]]
{{Authority control}}
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[[:Category:Indian feminists]]
[[:Category:Indian_educationists]]


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{{DEFAULTSORT:Darasha, Shirin}}
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[[Category:Indian theatre directors]]
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[[Category:Indian theatre managers and producers]]
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[[Category:Indian feminists]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian women educational theorists]]
[[Category:1938 births]]
[[Category:2012 deaths]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from Mumbai]]
[[Category:Indian women theatre directors]]
[[Category:St. Xavier's College, Mumbai alumni]]
[[Category:Indian psychologists]]
[[Category:Indian women psychologists]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian educational theorists]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian businesspeople]]
[[Category:Women educators from Maharashtra]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian businesswomen]]
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[[Category:Parsi people from Mumbai]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian women educators]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian educators]]
[[Category:Indian Buddhists]]

Latest revision as of 19:58, 15 February 2024

Shirin Framroze Darasha
Born27 December 1938
Died2 May 2012(2012-05-02) (aged 73)[1]
NationalityIndian
Occupation(s)Pedagogy, feminist, playwright

Shirin Framroze Darasha (27 December 1938 – 2 May 2012)[1] headed the J.B. Petit High School For Girls as the School Principal for over three decades,[1] from 1973 – 2007.[2] A renowned Indian educator, playwright and feminist, she challenged many stereotypes and traditions in Indian society. She had strong views on the importance of "joy" during childhood. She was not in favour of the excessive work-load and homework fetish that continued to dominate the Indian educational scene.[3][4] She took issue with the prevalent view that girls were at a disadvantage apropos of mathematics and sciences. Darasha maintained that in a nurturing environment where they were not set up to fail in comparison with boys, girls would flourish and blossom.[5] Her creative use of drama in education was an extension of her enduring interest in the stage – as playwright, producer and director. Over the years, Darasha established herself as a distinct and passionate figure in the field of female education in India.[6][7]

Early life and education

[edit]

Shirin Darasha was born to a Parsi family and raised in Bombay, India.[3]

On graduating (matriculation) from Queen Mary School, Bombay she attended St. Xavier's College, Mumbai, studying for a Bachelor's in Psychology. On completion, she studied further to earn her master's degree in psychology, also from Bombay University. To pursue further studies abroad, Shirin Darasha was awarded the Fulbright scholarship. She completed her master's degree in education from East-West Center, Hawaii.

Career as playwright

[edit]

Darasha was a talented playwright who focused on themes and personalities associated with twentieth century Indian history. Her popular play "Madam Cama" was first staged in 1988. In 1990, during the Fifth World Zoroastrian Congress, a special performance of the play was included in the proceedings. The play was also televised on Doordarshan. In her plays, Darasha challenged social conventions that resulted in women being stereotyped. She was particularly caustic about matrimonial advertisements; she dealt head-on with the Indian preference for "light complexions" and made a characteristic case for how "dark skin" was beautiful. Darasha's collaborations with Pearl Padamsee in various stage productions in Mumbai were well known and widely admired.[8][9]

Inspirational blessing that Shirin Darasha handed out to each and every student and teacher who was under her aegis when she was principal

Career as principal

[edit]

After working, at Hindi Vidya Bhavan and The Bombay International School, Darasha was appointed as Principal of J.B. Petit School in 1972. She was also known for encouraging her students to be more open as her front door donned the sign "Please Do Disturb".[10] She incorporated what she learned from the performing arts into her teachings and used the concepts of drama to instill confidence in her pupils.[3]

Darasha was elated when her J.B. School Debate Team won the all-India Debate Competition hosted by the Foundation for Universal Responsibility of His Holiness the Dalai Lama; the prize was a trip for the whole debate team and for Darasha to visit the Dalai Lama at his ashram and have a private audience with him.[11] This was particularly appropriate given Darasha's interest and identification with Buddhism.This was particularly appropriate given Darasha's interest and identification with Buddhism. In February 1988, Zoroastrian community magazine Parsiana ran an article entitled "The 'Principal' of Drama" which focused on her lifelong passion for the stage. In her interview, she declared that she did not consider herself religious, though she had Buddhist leanings.[4][full citation needed]

Death

[edit]

At the age of 73, Shirin Darasha died of pulmonary fibrosis. She was cremated, and her funeral was attended by hundreds of students and teachers who had been taught, mentored and inspired by her over the decades.[1]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d "Ex-principal of J B Petit passes away". The India Times. 3 May 2012. Retrieved 29 June 2014.
  2. ^ "Testimonials". jbpetithighschool.com. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
  3. ^ a b c "Educator par excellence - Indian Express". archive.indianexpress.com. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  4. ^ a b "Shirin Darasha retires | Events & Personalities". www.parsiana.com. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
  5. ^ "Hungama TV COO Zarina Mehta". Indian Television Dot Com. 27 May 2006. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
  6. ^ Das, Soma (28 September 2012). "One Revolutionary Salutes Another". MidDay. Retrieved 29 June 2014.
  7. ^ "Teachers we love". mid-day. 7 May 2012. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
  8. ^ Dharker, Anil. "Remembering Pearl Padamsee". The Times Group. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 4 July 2014.
  9. ^ "Humour in disguise". The Week. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  10. ^ "Romancing the stones". mid-day. 1 November 2020. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  11. ^ [dead link‍]"Remembering Ms Darasha". J. B. Petit High School. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 4 July 2014.
[edit]
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