From Shahnameh to chai: How ‘Persian Ladki’ is tracing Iran’s forgotten links with India
The series begins on February 1 with a reading and reflection on the Shahnameh (Book of Kings), Iran’s celebrated epic poem comprising nearly 60,000 verses.
Mariam Abuhaideri is attempting to address this gap through a series of storytelling and discussion sessions that trace Iran’s history, culture and its deep-rooted connections with India. (Source: Express Photo/ Enhanced with Gemini)
Mariam Abuhaideri calls herself a Persian Ladki — shorthand for “I am an Indian but my blood is Persian”. When the Pune-based storyteller, writer and animal lover visits relatives in Tehran or Yazd, she feels a strong emotional pull, even as she remains an outsider. She is often introduced as the Hindi girl — Hindi being the Persian word for Indian.
“Everybody wants to spend time with me because they love Indian movies. So, they’re very curious about Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai. I take advantage of that to be the centre of attention,” she says.
Back in India, the third-generation Hindi-speaking Persian fits in sometimes — and sometimes she does not. She blends easily into Pune’s crowded markets but is often mistaken for a tourist in Rajasthan. What remains constant, she says, is the lack of awareness among Indians about Iran. The limited public response to rising tensions in the country disturbs her.
Abuhaideri is attempting to address this gap through a series of storytelling and discussion sessions that trace Iran’s history, culture and its deep-rooted connections with India.
“I can share the history and story behind what Iran was even before the Arab conquest and the many dynasties that ruled the country before the Islamic revolution of 1979. We will bring alive the rich history and the connection we have with India so that it can be better understood,” she says.
The series begins on February 1 with a reading and reflection on the Shahnameh (Book of Kings), Iran’s celebrated epic poem comprising nearly 60,000 verses.
“Like we have the Ramayana in India, Iran has the Shahnameh. Composed by Ferdowsi, the Shahnameh and the Ramayana by Valmiki are foundational epics of Persian and Indian culture, respectively, sharing common Indo-Iranian roots, mythological themes and heroic narratives. Both are vast, verse-based tales exploring good versus evil, loyalty, and duty, often serving as cultural, historical, and moral guides for their populations. I have done extensive research and study on the Shahnameh. I felt that there needs to be an audience for it, and we could approach those who haven’t read it,” says Abuhaideri.
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Subsequent sessions through February will explore themes including “Iran before Islam: History of the pre-Islamic world” (February 8), “The rise of theocracy: What happens when faith becomes the state” (February 15), and “Iran and India: People, poetry, music, Parsis, and modern migrations” (February 22).
“I hope that the sessions will go a way to answer some of the questions that I am often asked, such as ‘Why would anyone want a religious cleric to take over the country?’ A lot of people are unsure about Zoroastrianism and the distinctions and similarities between Parsi and Iranian,” she says.
In a religiously polarised world, Abuhaideri points out, it is often forgotten that Iranian men once travelled to India by ship to trade. Many, like her great-grandfather Mahmoud Zaki, stayed on, brought women from their families to India, and laid down roots.
“They opened tea shops, better known as Irani chai houses. Iranian tea is black tea and not mixed with milk,” she says.
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At the sessions, guests will be served Iranian chai — black tea, pronounced choee. Between sips, discussions will trace how migrants from Iran adapted to Indian culture while enriching the country’s poetry, music and food traditions.
Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life.
Professional Background
Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint.
Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series).
Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators.
Recent Notable Articles (December 2025)
Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season:
1. Climate & Environment
"Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week.
"How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site.
"Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner.
2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage
"Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle.
"Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport.
"The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle.
3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc"
"Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema.
"Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups.
"How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor.
Signature Style
Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune.
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