The belle of Belgaum

When the horse carriage rode up to the Belgaum Club and the lady alighted from it — it had to be six o’clock. And when she departed, other members would often set their watches at 9 p.m. without as much as consulting the Club clock.

A stickler for punctuality, which stretched almost into a fetish for time, Freny Nanji who won the hearts and respect of many (she had her share of detractors) was decidedly a force to reckon with. Sought after in both military and civilian circles during the British rule and even later, the indomitable businesswoman very ably ran Hotel Green and Rex Talkies until her last day in 1984.

Having lost her husband Nadir Eduljee Nanji when she was barely 22, a spirit of enterprise overtook the young widow. This was not a momentary flash-in-the-pan effort, but a sustained surge of zest and determination which saw the fruition of all her efforts, Veera Nanji recalls of her strong-willed and powerful mother-in-law of whom she had been in awe. With time the awe melted into genuine love and respect and the two Nanji women shared a great bond in later years.

In the same house that was home to Freny for all of her life we learn that she was born in 1901 in Belgaum, the charming little cantonment town nestled among the Sahyadri hills in northern Karnataka. She was the only child of Shirinbai and Mail Contractor (Freny’s father was called "Mail Contractor” on account of the fact that the family ran a mail service between Belgaum and Dharwad).

Married at 16 to Nadir, Freny encountered personal tragedy at a very young age. The Nanjis lost their first-born at 18 months. Later they had another son Jal. Freny had continued to live along with her husband in her parents’ home even after she was married.

In the early 1920s when the British were still very much in evidence, the energetic and highly disciplined Freny took to exploiting her talents with which she was amply blessed. Under her mother’s watchful eye, Freny became an accomplished woman. She learnt to cook, sew, bake, knit, and do the other little and not-so-little things that girls in those days were supposed to know and do. But the difference with Freny was that she didn’t just know how to do these things, she also excelled at all of them. Veera showed us some gorgeous kors done in silk, beads, seed pearls, zari and lace, all done by Freny — all quite priceless now and still stunningly beautiful to behold. Before Shirinbai took her afternoon siesta, she would entrust young Freny with a task to complete. It could be anything, from polishing an entire row of shoes to completing an intricate and detailed bit of embroidery. This was often used by Shirinbai as a bait for later rewards as well as to instill a sense of discipline.

At this time there also lived in the same house Shirinbai’s three sisters. It was a difficult time financially and to make ends meet Freny went into partnership with a good friend Nadir Ruttonji (fondly referred to by old timers as Nadir baba). Ruttonji was a long-time friend of Jal and Freny and both shared a trust and closeness that was rare. Ruttonji owned a shop called "N. Ruttonji and Sons” in the camp area selling confectionery, ice cream, pork products, and other novelty items which Freny made herself. Being an expert needlewoman, she made lampshades, table linen in the Irish linen style, tea-cozies, and dolls. Of course her sari kors were always in demand and were snapped up as fast as her mouth-watering cakes. Arnavaz Siganporia says, "We remember her having many secret recipes which she refused to divulge.”

Freny had obviously learnt early that to be a successful businesswoman she would have to hold on to her trade secrets. In order to augment her resources, Freny hired out furniture to the British army officers posted in Belgaum. This was her first contact with the local military brass with whom she gained in popularity. Freny was a regular at the Army Club where she played an excellent game of tennis. True to her way of doing things, she won trophies by the sackful, reminisces Veera.

The money that Freny made from the shop she soon put to another use. She decided it was time to break new ground and venture out to Sambra which was the airforce base on the outskirts of Belgaum. The Tommies who were homesick desperately sought some form of entertainment or the other. Freny was quick to perceive an opportunity and capitalize on it. She hired a hall in Sambra. Here she set up a film projector and started running two film shows in the evenings. This was a big success and carried on till the end of the war when Freny sought newer pastures.

The money from her Sambra venture, Freny invested in a small tumble-down cottage in the Camp area. Even though the place was small it was surrounded by a substantial amount of land. Over a period of about two years Freny built what still stands as Hotel Green. Freny often took part in the lotteries that were held at the Army Club. On one such lucky day, she won Rs 400 from a football pool. She used this money to make the porch of Hotel Green, relates Veera. The Hotel was run most meticulously as per western standards. Many old-timers who frequented the Hotel still smack their lips in mouth-watering remembrance of dishes past. The service and linen were impeccable. People who once stayed there made it a point to detour on subsequent trips just to transit Belgaum so that they could savor Hotel Green’s delicacies yet again.

Nanji (far left) in conversation with Indira Gandhi (second from left)

It was here also that Freny played the socialite to the hilt. Her love for the good things of life was legendary. She was a good looking woman who complemented her jovial and fun-loving nature with the best of grooming. Veera says that she had a vast collection of saris which she always wore in the traditional Parsi style. She accessorized this with perfectly matched exquisite jewellery. Always immaculately dressed in keeping with the occasion, she never failed to chide Veera whenever she saw her daughter-in-law in slippers. Her good taste was evident in every facet of her life. The Mirajkar brothers — Sharad and Suresh — who knew the lady in her heyday recall, "Not only was she the best dressed lady in Belgaum but she was also very compassionate and generous. We remember her and Ruttonji taking a drive in her car in the Camp every day. They would buy bread and feed it to all the stray dogs and other animals gathered under a certain tree every evening. Free medicines to the poor and needy were also distributed.” She was a true Zoroastrian in that respect — no one was turned away empty handed. For her work was worship. She always believed in the dignity of labor. Although not terribly religious, she had great faith in God. Often she would say to Veera, "Tu mahré vasté bhanéch to bus chè, mahné bhadha nu bhanvanu nathi joitu (It is sufficient that you are praying for me. I don’t want to engage outsiders to recite prayers).” She believed that working hands were better than praying hands.

Sometime around 1940 Rex Talkies was born. By now Freny’s bad times were well and truly over and she led the good life. Along with two other partners, Freny bought the Ford Motor garage with a view to converting it to a cinema hall. Things did not go as well as she had hoped and Freny decided to go for it alone and became the sole owner of Rex. It was the only theater showing the latest English movies in Belgaum. It was also the only theater showing four shows a day and Freny was the only woman exhibitor. Loved and respected like a mother by her staff, Freny ran the theater with exemplary capability. In this, as in all else, she was helped ably by her son Jal and Ruttonji. It was touching to see the eyes of her old employees mist over as they told us their impressions about her: "No one ever did business the way she did,” says Haldankar. Purohit, a booking clerk says he remembers her as being very tough but also helpful and kind. "We were always expected to speak the truth. Madam would never tolerate lies from anyone.”

Nanji with Morarji Desai

Along with her business ventures, Freny also grew in social stature. No one ever dared to take Freny lightly. She was on equal terms with the district administration, the military, and of course her business contemporaries. She also met with the late Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi on a couple of occasions as well as Morarji Desai. No matter who it was she interacted with, Freny never flinched from speaking her mind. Taking a nostalgic step into the past, Bacha Siganporia, a good friend of Freny and the family said, "Freny was a woman of authority; good, kind, compassionate and strong charactered. She would always stand up for her rights as well as the rights of others. Firm in her resolve, once she decided to do something nothing could stop her. She never cared about ‘what people would say.’ She was a very sincere friend to me, always ready with a helping hand. We enjoyed some grand times together.”

Freny who generally loved to help everyone often found herself at odds with the managing committee of the Belgaum Parsi Zarathosti Anjuman. Over matters of principle there arose differences of opinion with those who ran the Anjuman at that time. Freny decided to stay away from the petty politicking that inevitably follows such a scenario. It was for this reason also that she never ran for office.

Freny’s typical day would begin around 9.30 when she woke up. She would have her tea or coffee and stroll around her beautifully manicured garden. As recalls Shirin Daver, her contemporary, "Freny was very fond of gardening and for years her garden was adjudged the best at all shows. She had a variety of flowers ranging from the common bougainvillea to the exotic orchids from the northeast. Her dahlias had to be measured across by a measure tape! The begonias, orchids, roses, lilies, gladioli and a host of others were a feast for the eyes.” Veera also tells of a particular cactus in the shape of a snake’s head which had to be fed on blood!

In the afternoon, Freny would have her grandchildren Freddy and Rukshana over for lunch and enjoy some family time. Lunch was usually prepared by the cook but on an odd occasion Freny donned the apron and turned out some exotic dish much to the delight of everyone. After lunch, a siesta was a must. At 4.30 she and Jal would go to Rex and see to the work there. Freny would go to the Belgaum Club at exactly 6 o’clock and return home for dinner. Thereafter both Freny and Ruttonji would go to the theater and remain there till the end of the last show. On her return, Freny would take up her reading. She often read till about 2 or 3 in the morning. Freny had spent exactly such a day for the last time on November 27, 1984. Completely in control till the very end, she sensed that she was going into another realm to find her eternal significance.

Since October 2000 Rex theater has been converted into a family run store where Jal, Freddy and Rukshana pitch in to keep the ‘Rex’ name alive – a living tribute to its founder Freny.