Tribute to Jerbai

As part of its ongoing celebrations the Nowroze Baug Centenary Celebration Committee released a book on its founder, the late Jerbai N. Wadia and her family, along with the history of Nowroze Baug at a function at Bombay’s Sophia Bhabha Hall on June 7, 2008. Residents and well-wishers who were present in large numbers enjoyed an evening of variety entertainment and cultural items, as per a write-up sent to Parsiana by Nariman E. Mehta, chairman of the Committee. They also witnessed a slide show presentation showcasing a plan for the redevelopment of Nowroze Baug, conceived by Rohinton J. Mehta, sponsor of the evening’s program, who believes that "after 100 years the buildings of the Baug have become structurally weak and no amount of repairs can arrest their further deterioration.” The presentation was meant to "create awareness” in residents of the need for redevelopment which can only be undertaken with their consent and cooperation.

Chief guest Homai A. Daruwalla, dynamic chairperson and managing director of Central Bank of India, while releasing the book and memento, stressed the importance of hard work, diligence, devotion, dedication, honesty and a charitable nature. She called upon boys and girls of the community to rise in any field of endeavor by their own hard work, as she had done, and to "never get tempted by corruption.”

Minoo R. Shroff, chairman of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP), who was to leave early as he had another commitment, was felicitated before the show began. Congratulating the Committee for its enthusiasm in organizing so many activities to commemorate the centenary, he made special mention of chairman Mehta’s "long innings of dedicated social welfare for Nowroze Baug.”

(Top row): Human pyramids; Dolly and Bomi Dotivala; (bottom row): Nariman Mehta, Minoo Shroff, Farzana Doctor; Homai Daruwala, Phiroze Taraporewala; Dastur Khurshed Dastoor, Yasmin Engineer

The first part of the program comprised a musical dance ballet, Nowroze – The New Beginning, conceived by Purvez M. Davar based on the life of the Wadia family while humorous skits a la the late Adi Marzban by Nowroze Baug residents and veteran theater persons Dolly and Bomi Dotiwala were enacted after the interval. Slides projected on the screen during the ballet showed Jerbai handing over the keys to a flat in Nowroze Baug to a tenant in 1908. Mahiyar F. Khambatta, playing Nowroze, portrayed various phases in his life — childhood, marriage, happy days, losing his wife, seeing his later generations prosper and finally witnessing the centenary of Nowroze Baug. Residents, old and young, depicted other characters under the able guidance of choreographer Danesh Sayyed, a former pupil of Shiamak Davar, while the fluid narration was provided by Nazneen S. Govadia. Human pyramids by the boys and girls of the Baug, trained by Cyrus J. Siganporia with assistance from Hosi Tampal thrilled the audience.

After the interval, compere Arnaz R. Mirza invited chief guest Daruwalla, Vada Dastur Khurshed K. Dastoor, BPP trustee Dinshaw Mehta, managing member, Committee of Management Dhun Gagrat, sponsor Mehta and members of the Committee onto the stage. Prof Franak D. Contractor, thanking the dignitaries for their presence on behalf of the Committee, mentioned that the entire expenses for the commemorative book had been borne by an anonymous admirer of Jerbai. She acknowledged the hard work of Phiroze E. Taraporewala and Davar, together with community chronicler Marzban Giara and the Wadia Committee of Management. The book will be distributed free of cost to all tenants and well-wishers. Contractor also mentioned that the mementos in the form of gold plated copper coins of Jerbai and Nowrosjee Wadia would be sold at cost price.

The souvenir acknowledges with gratitude donations received for the centenary of Nowroze Baug. BPP trustee Bur­­jor H. Antia, advocate Sharukh Katha­walla, and Daruwalla through the Central Bank of India donated one lakh rupees each, trustees of the Ness Wadia Foundation gave Rs 50,000 while the World Zoroastrian Organisation, through Din­shaw K. Tamboly presented Rs 25,000. Hundreds of residents of Nowroze Baug who have donated amounts ranging from a modest Rs 50 to as much as Rs 21,000 are named and listed block-wise over 10 pages of the souvenir.

Taraporewala thanked the sponsors, advertisers, the young boys and girls who participated and their parents as well as the Dotiwalas for the entertainment and Armin K. Bavan for bringing in advertisement revenue to the tune of Rs 3.5 lakhs for the souvenir. Shawls and flowers were also presented. Sound was handled by Sarosh Daruwalla, recording and video by Hanosh and lighting by Jayesh Patel. The program ended with the resounding chorus of Chhaiyé Hamé Zarthosti.