The belle of the band

Died: Nelly Jehan Battiwala, 91, popular band leader who was the livewire of countless weddings and navjotes, on October 7, 2009 in Bombay following multi-organ failure.

Through her music she could set feet tapping, hands clapping, bodies swaying. Sharing her love for music with the audience, the presence of Nelly and her Dance Band at a wedding or navjote function added some zest and zing to the celebration, recall her fans. Although not many may have known that her surname was Battiwala, mention of "Nelly” was invariably associated with lively band music.

A qualified pianist, she could play the accordion and electric organ with unmatched panache and flair. "The audiences loved it when her band wore the straw hats and played rhythmic Latin American music,” mentions her daughter Pearly Dalal who used to sing in her mother’s band. "She played the music she loved and sometimes had more than 30 shows in a month…” She was in demand at Christian weddings, Parsi functions and gala dances on Christmas and New Year. There were years when her band was so highly in demand that on New Year’s eve they would play for some hours at Cooperage Gymkhana, then at Byculla Mechanics and finally at Bandra Gymkhana.

Nelly Battiwala (left) and (right) with her popular band

Ever the entertainer, she basked on the stage, loved audiences and the adulation she received. Whether it was a small party or a major social event, the client who booked her first could be sure of her loyalty. "Perhaps the ‘only’ or the ‘first’ female band leader in Mumbai was often described as the queen of the bands,” writes Ashok Da Ranade in his book Hindi Film Song: Music Beyond Boundaries. Among the many recognitions she earned was the Rajiv Gandhi Award in 1994.

In earlier days each time the band played at a function, the piano would specially be hired from Furtados. Rehearsals though would be held in their house at Dadar, Pearly refers to her mother’s professional challenges in a male-dominated scenario whilst simultaneously bringing up her three children single-handedly, their father Jehan having died early. A liberated woman, Nelly had remarked in the Mid-Day of December 14, 1984, "I have always been in the forefront and also consider myself a working woman. Women today are more liberated and feel free to do things which they never dreamed of doing before like coming home late at night…and leaving the children at home.”

Nelly’s professional sojourn in the realm of music commenced with the encouragement of her father Kaikhushru Joshi (brother of Mancherji, the founder of the Dadar Parsi Colony), who ensured that she earned her Licentiate degree from the Trinity College of Music, London. Thereafter she started giving private piano lessons and was for some years the music teacher at the J. B. Vachha School. Once she was accomplished on the accordion, specially brought by a friend from Italy, she played in Goody Seervai’s band.

Nelly, who enjoyed western classical music as also rock, jazz, Latin American and Indian music, went on to form her band Nelly and Her Variety Orchestra in 1953. As musical instruments evolved, so too did Nelly. Instead of carrying the heavy accordion on her shoulders, her fingers started to move on the keyboard. In keeping with its new name — Nelly and her Dance Band — her orchestra prided itself on being able to bring the audience to its feet, whether at baugs, gymkhanas and five star hotels in Bombay or at venues in Poona, Ahmeda­bad, Surat, Baroda, Lonavla. In fact, the family has preserved a press advertisement announcing sale of tickets at Rs 30 per head for the Red Cross Ball in 1988 at the Taj Mahal Hotel from 9 p.m. to 12.30 a.m. with dancing to Nelly’s band! When recorded music made its advent at social functions like weddings and navjotes, Nelly realized that her ‘band’ days were over and along with another musician would play at certain clubs like Otters, CCI (Cricket Club of India), Willingdon, NSCI (National Sports Club of India) on invitation.

Over the years her enthusiasm remained undimmed and she continued playing merrily even as a grandmother, declaring, "I have contemplated retirement but will play as long as people want me.” Following a cerebral stroke in 2002 which caused paralysis of her left side, Nelly stopped giving concerts. Talent though was noticeable in other members of the musically inclined family. Her late son Adil could play any instrument without formal training and was a professional keyboard player in America. Born with a ear for music, her grandchildren too have chosen to sing or play an instrument.

Although "not too orthodox in her outlook, she was a staunch Parsi who prayed regularly and went to the agiary,” states Pearly reminiscing of her mother taking pride in the accomplishments of outstanding Parsi musicians and cricketers.

Always smiling, Nelly served as an ideal public relations agent for her band. "Few are lucky to earn a living by doing the work they love. Nelly was one of those few,” believes Pearly adding that her mother’s life could well be summed up in the words of the famous ABBA number Thank you for the music: "Who could live without it/ I ask in all honesty/ What would life be/ Without song and dance/ What are we?”

The buoyant band conductor is survived by her daughters Pearly Aspi Dalal and Roshni Keki Patel.