“‘Welcomer’ to all”

Dr Ali Jafarey’s article on his late wife Amy, "‘Welcomer’ to all” (Parsiana, November 7, 2007), carried a nugget of information which stirred my "memory’s mine, where innumerable treasures shine,” taking me more than 50 years back in time. Jafarey mentions that "Heda Sarvi, a health expert, who has been close to the family for almost 50 years, played Amy’s favorite tunes on the santoor, an Iranian musical instrument she lovingly encouraged him to learn.”

Heda Sarvi, or Hedayat Ghulam Ali Sarvi which is his full name, was a fellow student at Bombay’s well known St Mary’s High School, Mazagaon. We remained inseparable friends for our entire school life until we finished our SSC examination in 1960. We were both interested in body building and made our debut together in the inter-collegiate championships in 1962. The title of Mr Bombay University had been won in the previous year by Homi Jesia (brother-in-law of community activist Mithoo Jesia and father of ex-Miss India and supermodel Mehr Jesia Rampal), who had a very well developed body. As the popular darling of the crowd, Jesia was poised to win hands down when Sarvi, a dark horse from nowhere carried off the title.

Mr Bombay University, Heda Sarvi, circa 1962

After that there was no stopping Sarvi from continued success, fame, popularity and a place in the world of physical culture. Among our common friends at school were Surendra Shetty (father of actress Shilpa Shetty), Somdeb Mukherji (whose daughter Kajol has made a big name in Hindi cinema) and a prosperous Parsi businessman, Aspi Battiwala who even today unfailingly meets Sarvi whenever he visits the USA.

Sarvi’s family owned a very well-known chemist’s shop at Nagpada called Kedy and Company. Today in its place stands a landmark tower called Kedy Arcade. On the opposite side of the road is the famous Sarvi Restaurant, visited by connoisseurs of the Iranian preparation known as "seekh kabab.” Members of the family residing in Bombay conduct the business to this day.

The Sarvi we knew was an exceptionally likeable human being, very friendly, hospitable and cheerful of disposition. He was ever ready to lend a helping hand to ease any problem faced by a young Zoroastrian friend in school, namely myself. A humanitarian with an ingrained secularism in his personality, politics and religion were never a part of his conversation. He would be an ideal ambassador for Indo-Iranian relations! As a matter of fact, his uncle’s (mama’s) son, Mehdi Nabi Zadeh is the present Ambassador for Iran in India.

RASHID G. KHOSRAVI