The motto of theIranian Sweets Palace is “come as a customer, leave as a friend” -- and as amatter of fact, it has lived up to the expectations.
“The Iranian SweetsPalace is the only sweet shop that opens for a day in a year, on the occasionof Navroze, the commencement of Iranian New Year,” says Rafique Baghdadi, anoted researcher on Mumbai, film critic, journalist and orator. “This place hasits own importance for the Irani community in Mumbai and India,” he said.
Mohammed HasanHajati, the owner of the Iranian Sweets Palace, is an interesting person totalk to “ as he laces his statements with humour. “This is a 103-year-oldshop....when my grandfather purchased it for Rs 30 in 1909, his friends andwellwishers told him that he was cheated and that the property was actuallyvalued at Rs 15.....well, today it is over Rs one crore,” says Hajati even ashe smiles.
“So, as far as abusiness proposition is concerned, even if I sell one kg of sweets today, Imake a profit,” he says as the audience breaks into laughter. Today, he is intoshare market and real estate. “But, I still want the sweet shop to run....it isvery important for our family, the Iranian community, the Parsees,” he says.“Whatever you get here is original “ and the baklavas are famous here,” hesaid.
“We get theingredients imported from Iran....walnuts, almonds, nuts and even camel'smilk,” he said, adding that the balkavas sells around Rs 780 per kg. “We haveour patrons, where ever they are in the country, they ask for it and we send itacross to them....it is bonding between us,” he said adding that around twolakh people from the Iranian descent now stay in Mumbai. Mumbai’s IraniZoroastrians, as well as Irani Muslims “ celebrate Navroze every year with thesame enthusiasm.
Only Hamam!
The Iranian Hamamis the only one that remains in Mumbai now. Today modern spas has taken over,but still there are people who do come to this hamam. “You get a good massagehere and special oils were used,” says a caretaker of the hamam.
Moghul Masjid
It is also known asthe Iranian masjid. The governing body is known as the Haji Mohammed HusainShirazi Charity Trust/Wakf. The architecture is unique and it is quitecolourful. “For the Iranian community, this is a very important place ofworship,” says Baghdadi.
