#32 THE GUJARATI COMMUNITY | Toronto's Many Faces

The Gujarati Community

The Gujarati Community is independently described for the first time in this edition, having previously been included as part of the East Indian Community. “Gujarati” refers to both the people of the western Indian province of Gujarat and the language that they speak.The majority of Gujaratis follow Hinduism but many parctice Jainism, Zoroastrianism, or Islam. Zoroastrians who migrated from Persia to India are known as Parsi or Parsee. In Toronto, amongst the many who have maintained their cultural traditions, it is common to see a Parsi speaking Gujarati or an Ismaili or Muslim reading a Gujarati magazine.

During the 1940s many Gujaratis dispersed to the East, the Middle East, and Africa in search of a better livelihood. In short order they adapted to their new environments and became well-established, but with the political changes of the 1960s in East Africa many fled, often without their belongings, to England; a few returned to India. Of those who settled in Britain, large numbers later emigrated to Canada or America, and today there are about 60,000 Gujaratis living in the Toronto region.

Many young Gujaratis arrived in Toronto in the 1970s, then called upon their families to join them. In contrast to western individualism, Gujarati culture emphasizes “family” as the basic social unit; family members learn from each other, and values of warmth, sharing, caring for others, and staying together are emphasized.Dadaji (grandfather),Dadima (grand-mother),Ba (mother),Bapuji (father), and children will live together for long periods. As long as the Dada-Dadi and Ba-Bapuji are alive their sons will live together, even with their own children; unmarried daughters also share the household.

The second generation of Gujaratis are experiencing a cultural shift as they become more assimilated to Canadian culture, moving away from arranged marriages and striking out on their own, away from the traditional family unit. But there remains a desire to maintain connections with longstanding tradition, and many return to India for short periods to work or provide aid.

Adventurous entrepreneurs, many Gujaratis keep an eye toward lucrative business opportunities. Initially, many took jobs as engineers, teachers, 184 TORONTO’ S MANY FACES accountants, and medical doctors; later, others worked in import-export, wholesale and retail, local trade, IT, real estate, marketing, finance, and motels. Principles of non-violence and, by extension, vegetarianism have kept most Gujaratis out of the meat and wine industries, heavy duty manual labour, and the armed forces. Few work in government service or for the police, firefighting, or transport, and while they hold an appreciation for art, they tend to avoid careers in painting, dance, drama, music, and other cultural fields.

Gujaratis have not tended to live together near places of worship, as many other ethnic communities do, and as a result they are spread widely throughout the Greater Toronto Area.

Places to Go

Gujarati shops and restaurants are scattered throughout Toronto, but many can be found at the India Bazaars on Gerrard Street and in the Islington area. Clothing, jewelry, groceries, spice, paan (a palate cleanser and breath freshener), and other things can be purchased at Gujarati shops, which include: Lodhia Jewellers, 170 The Donway West, Tel. 416-441-2856; Mayur Dave Gems, 21 Dundas Square #909, Tel. 416-363-6831; and Aprile Florist, 2883 Keele St., Tel. 416-635-5759 or (800) 968-8695. DVDs, videos, and casettes can be found at Mr Joshee Video, 470 McNicoll Ave., tel 416-502-0022. The State Bank of India, 200 Bay St., Suite 1600, Tel. 416-865-0414 (with other branches at 3471 Sheppard Ave. E., Tel. 416-754-0039; 1450 Meyerside Dr., Suite 100, Mississauga, Tel. 905-565-8959; and 248 Queen St. E., Brampton, Tel. 905-874-7186), ICICI Bank (with multiple branches in the Greater Toronto Area), and the Tourist Bureau of the Government of India, 60 Bloor St. W., Suite 1003, Tel. 416-962-3787, serve Gujaratis and others.

Several Gujarati community groups have come together to form the Sanatan Mandir Cultural Centre, 9333 Woodbine Ave., Markham, Tel. 905-887-7777; and the Hindu Mandir & Cultural Centre, 6875 Professional Ct., Mississauga, Tel. 905-678-1166. Originally envisioned as full-service community cultural complexes, as constructed each centers on a religious temple.

Gujaratis’ hospitality is well-known and food is one of their specialties. Any of their events can be successful with a good dinner and even the best of programmes is incomplete without good food. Favorite meals include thali for lunch or dinner with rotli or puri, undhiyu, dal (lentil soup), or kadhi, patra or dhoka, and sweet items like srikhand, basundi, or mango pulp; also rice, pickles,chhas (buttermilk) and papad. Gujarati fare can be found at Gujarat Durbar, 1368 Gerrard St. E., Tel. 416-798-4449; Kala’s Kitchen, 5359 Timberlea Blvd., Mississauga, Tel. 905-602-9594; and Bhakta Foods, 3001 Islington Ave., Tel. 416-743-4682.

Other restaurants, which also provide catering, include: White Gold Sweets, 3176 Ridgeway Dr., Mississauga, Tel. 905-607-6776; and Amish Sweets & Catering, 287 Glidden Rd., Unit 14, Brampton, Tel. 905-457-8333. Groceries can be purchased in the west at Brampton Cash & Carry, 158 Kennedy Rd. S., Brampton, Tel. 905-796-1104; and in the east at Indian Groceries and Spices, 1983 Lawrence Ave. E., Tel. 416-752-7157. Wholesale goods can be found at Surti Sweet Mart, 26 Carnforth Rd., Tel. 416-752-3366; and Trupti Enterprises, 2 Thorncliffe Park Dr., Unit 40, Tel. 416-421-0191.

Religious Centres, Schools and Other Institutions

The Gujarati community celebrates at temples and other places of worship:

SANATAN MANDIR & CULTURAL CENTRE, 9333 Woodbine Ave., Markham, L6C 1T5, Tel. 905-887-7777, www.sanatanmandir.com. Hindu-Jain Temple with a large hall and dining facility.
JAIN SOCIETY OF TORONTO, 48 Rosemeade Ave., M8Y 3A5, Tel. 416-251-8112, jsot.netfirms.com. Jain centre with temple, lecture hall, and dining facility.
SHRI SWAMINARAYAN MANDIR (BAPS), 61 Claireville Dr., Toronto, M9W 5Z7, 416-798-2277.Haveli with many facilities including a large auditorium.
VISHNU MANDIR, 8640 Yonge St., Richmond Hill, L4C 6Z4, Tel. 905-886-1724, www.vishnumandir.com. Temple with Hindu Museum of Civilization and a splendid statue of the great Gujarati, Mahatma Gandhi.
HINDU MANDIR & CULTURAL CENTRE, 6875 Professional Ct., Mississauga, L4V 1Y3, Tel. 905-678-1166. Hindu temple.
PUSTIMARGIYA VAISHNAV SAMAJ, SHREENATHJI HAVELI, 58 Clarke Ave., Thornhill, L3T 1S5, Tel. 905-771-3939.

The Gujarati language is taught by the Board of Education as a heritage language; classes are conducted at the Swaminarayan Haveli. Pathshala (religious classes) are taught at the temples, and private classes are held for dance and music. Gujarati books are available at the Metro Toronto Reference Library, which provides catalogues, inter-library transfers, and home delivery for seniors.

Holidays and Celebrations

Celebrations and festivals are integral to the Gujarati community. Religious festivals are characterized by excitement, joy, and solemn prayer. Since Hindus, Jains, and Ismailis follow the lunar calendar, their holy days do not fall on the same dates each year.

Gujaratis join other Canadians in celebrating this nation’s holidays, such as Canada Day, and other Indians in celebrating occasions like India’s Republic Day on January 26 and Independence Day on August 15. Gujarati-speaking Muslims of Pakistani origin celebrate that nation’s holidays.

NAVRATI, or “Nine Nights”, is a Hindu festival special to Gujaratis. Although a religious celebration, Navarti has increasingly focused on modern music, dancing, and entertainment, especially amongst younger Gujaratis. The exuberant celebration features garba (rhythmic dancing in a circle) in traditional chaniya choli and sari costumes, and raas, a dance with sticks. Many “introductions” take place during these nine nights, sometimes resulting in marriage.

Many other Hindu, Muslim, and Ismaili festivals and holidays are described in other chapters or in the Glossary of Holidays and Celebrations; important Jain occasions are outlined below. Jain festivals and observances are characterized by renunciation, self-restraint, learning, meditation, forgiveness, repentance, and expressing devotion to the moral values brought to life by the Tirthankars.

MAHAVIR JANMA KALYÄNAK, usually in April, commemorates the birthday of the 24th and final Tirthankar Mahavir of this era. “Tirthankar” means “spiritual victory”, one who has attained omniscience. Vardhaman was the last of these, and took the honorific Mahavir, meaning “Great Hero”. On this occasion Jains gather to read the life and mission of Mahavir and listen to his teachings.
PARYUSHAN PARVA, falling during the months of August and/or September, is the most important eight-day festival of Jains. During these days Jains fast and carry out religious activities. It is a period of repentance for acts done during the year, and austerities to help shed the accumulated karmas. On the eighth day, known as Samvatsari, Jains ask for forgiveness from family, friends, and foes alike for any harmful act they might have committed during the previous year. They in turn forgive others, and the next day all who have observed fasts are honoured.

Other festival days observed include Guru Purnima (day of reverence for Guru, or teacher), Gnan Panchami (day of obtaining knowledge), Dev Diwali (day of prayer), and Maun Agiyaras (day of fasting with a vow of silence).

See Holidays and Celebrations in Glossary.

Media

GUJARAT ABROAD, Tel. 905-265-0984, www.gujaratabroad.ca. Weekly newspaper. Editor and publisher: Vipul Jani.
SWADESH, 713 Markham Rd., M1H 2A8, Tel. 416-996-7755 or 416-273-7075, www.swadeshmedia.com. Fortnightly newspaper.
GUJARAT EXPRESS, Tel. 905-457-2498, www.gujaratexpress.ca. Weekly newspaper.
VATAN NEWS, 695 Markham Rd., Suite 33, M1H 2A5, Tel. 416-486-0374.
ATN, www.asiantelevision.com. While there are no local television broadcasts and very limited radio programming available in Gujarati, the Asian Television Network provides programming from India’s Zee TV through Rogers digital cable, bringing news, entertainment, music, and religious programming.

Organizations

FEDERATION OF GUJARATI ORGANIZATIONS. There are about fifty Gujarati associations and organizations in Toronto, from small to large, and many are linked with the Federation of Gjuarati Organizations (FOGA). Some groups are caste-based, like the Lohana Cultural Association, Vanik Samaj, Brahman Society, and Oswals; others center around locations, including the 24-Gam Patidar Samaj (Patidars of 24 Villages), 24-Gam Patel Association, or the Surti Samaj (People of the city of Surat). FOGA organizes annual raas and garba (folk dance) competions, and its many affiliated groups arrange annual picnics, sporting events, entertainment programs, conferences and conventions, and festive events. They also raise funds and provide aid in the event of natural calamities, and invite dance and drama troupes from India.
GUJARATI SENIORS’ SAMAJ OF MISSISSAUGA, is one of the few active Gujarati seniors’ associations.
YOUNG GUJARATI HORIZON, is a youth organization.
YOUNG GUJARATI NETWORK, Tel. 905-457-3649, is another group for young Gujaratis. Founder: Danny Mistry.
VISHWA GUJARATI SAMAJ, www.vishwagujaratisamaj.org, based in Ahmedaba, Gujarat, and with the backing of the government of Gujarat, is a worldwide organization that links Gujaratis across the globe. The Canadian chapter is based in Toronto.
SHABDA SETU, Tel. 905-770-8298, meaning “a bridge of words,” is a Canadian Gujarati literary group.

Prominent Torontonians

Jay Gajjar, businessman, writer, former professor, recipient of the Order of Canada; Keshave Chandaria, President of Comcraft Group, recipient of the Order of Ontario; Dr. Chandrakant Shah, educator, author of medical textbook, recipient of the Order of Ontario; Rohinton Mistry, internationally famous author and winner of Giller Prize; M. G. Vassanji, best-selling author, twice winner of the Giller Prize, Member of the Order of Canada; Navin Chandaria, President and CEO of Conross Group, recipient of Canada’s Confederation Medal; Ramesh Chotal, businessman; Mac Champsee, real estate broker; Lata Champss, community leader.

Principal Contributor: Prakash Mody.