Memories of The Taj

I was born and raised a stone’s throw from The Taj Mahal Palace and Tower and it was an emotional experience to see it going up in flames and destroyed by such a wanton act of hate and senselessness.

My very first memories of The Taj include going to the hairdressing salon, Madame Jacques, with my mom and aunt. They would get their hair permed and I would have my fringe trimmed. On the way home my mom would request the gardener for some plants which she would repot in our house with the result we had house plants courtesy of The Taj.

My husband and I are still so upset about The Taj because we used to take a walk along the promenade every day before we came to the United States. After finishing homework with the kids we would walk down Colaba Causeway, go to the Gateway of India from Regal Cinema, walk opposite The Taj up to Radio Club and return via Strand Cinema. That was our routine for years and we saw the Taj Intercontinental being built from ground up after the demolition of the Greens Hotel.

One of my old and dear friends and neighbor grew up at The Taj as his father was the chief accountant and they had a suite of rooms they called home. After a late night party if we were hungry and the restaurants were closed we would sneak up to his suite and raid the fridge for apples and oranges!

The shopping arcade at The Taj was a treat even for window shoppers. Guzder Jewelers, the Maharaja Shirt Shop, Joy Shoes, Indian Textiles, Artistic Boutique — just to name a few.

The Taj Mahal Hotel with Greens Hotel (right)

We attended countless weddings, gala events, New Year eve dances. The Tata Sports Club had their annual dinner-dance at The Taj and J. R. D. Tata always attended and mingled with his employees. For Parsi New Year’s eve, Jimmy Bharucha (the animal trainer) used to bring his white horses up the grand staircase and it was always a beautiful sight under the rotunda. The Sunday buffets at the Taj were outstanding and the most sophisticated palates were surprised by the array of dishes and desserts. Their Christmas cake was so popular that the entire process of soaking the fruits in rum would start from November. The Patisserie, their cake shop, was so renowned that for Diwali (Hindu New Year), Pateti (Parsi New Year) and Christmas they had special counters opened up to keep up with the demand for their legendary chocolate goodies.

Standing in the portico of the front entrance we have waved to celebrities like the Shah of Iran, Queen Soraya, Jackie Kennedy, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip, Prince Charles and countless heads of states, actors and actresses. The chandeliers and pillars in the Crystal Room were from the old Petit Hall and the Rendezvous was one of the first restaurants to serve French food in Bombay. Their master chef, the late "Maskie” was a favorite of J. R. D. Tata and all his daughters attended St. Anne’s School. Lily and Carmen were my classmates and birthday parties at their house were always a treat because their dad prepared the most delicious cakes.

As young adults we enjoyed many a celebration at the numerous restaurants and even though we would refer to it as the "old” Taj they constantly updated their services and eateries. I believe their latest addition is a restaurant by the Iron Chef.

Bombay is a cosmopolitan city where I grew up in a Parsi colony, attended a Catholic school then a Hindu college, worked for an American corporation where everyone was united. We had Hindus, Muslims, Jews and Catholics as friends and celebrated each and every festival with fun and joy. This senseless act of terrorism has not only destroyed beautiful art and architecture which was a part of the hotel’s heritage but also fond memories of thousands of Bombayites to whom The Taj was not just a hotel but an institution with joyous memories and tremendous history.

ABAN DABOO

Aurora, Illinois, USA

parsichef@yahoo.com