Readers' Forum
She made her mark
Homai Vyarawalla, who died at the ripe age of 98 years, was the first woman photojournalist of India, and a Parsi to boot! Being at the right place at the right time, she captured the pre- and post-independence era of India. Just as a prophet is not recognized in his own country, so too Vyarawalla failed to receive recognition from her community which only woke up to her achievements after she received the Padma Vibhushan.
To a great extent it was her temperament that was responsible for this, as she seldom displayed the friendly side of her nature. She probably loved her reclusive life, doing everything by herself, whether housework or driving. Now, after her death, everyone from the chief minister to the Delhi Darbar has extended their condolences.
Every magazine and newspaper has written glowingly about her. Her biographer Sabeena Gadihoke, who says she discovered Vyarawalla only in 1997, then went on to co-author the now famous book Camera Chronicles of Homai Vyarawalla depicting the life of the photographer and her constant companion, the camera! Every photograph taken by Vyarawalla is steeped in history along with relevant anecdotes. Her relationship with the Nehru family was obviously close, as revealed in the beautiful pictures she captured.
Here was a Parsi lady alone in a predominantly male bastion making a mark in the field. One is proud of these undoubtedly commendable qualities. Vyarawalla lived life on her own terms and her remains were disposed in the manner that she wished. She was cremated amidst a large group of admirers with her last rites being performed in the Parsi way.
In retrospect, one wishes that Vyara-walla had been cajoled to come into the mainstream of the community as she would have served as an audio-visual historian, especially for Gen X!
RODA HAKIM
Baroda
roda.hakim@gmail.com
To a great extent it was her temperament that was responsible for this, as she seldom displayed the friendly side of her nature. She probably loved her reclusive life, doing everything by herself, whether housework or driving. Now, after her death, everyone from the chief minister to the Delhi Darbar has extended their condolences.
Every magazine and newspaper has written glowingly about her. Her biographer Sabeena Gadihoke, who says she discovered Vyarawalla only in 1997, then went on to co-author the now famous book Camera Chronicles of Homai Vyarawalla depicting the life of the photographer and her constant companion, the camera! Every photograph taken by Vyarawalla is steeped in history along with relevant anecdotes. Her relationship with the Nehru family was obviously close, as revealed in the beautiful pictures she captured.
Here was a Parsi lady alone in a predominantly male bastion making a mark in the field. One is proud of these undoubtedly commendable qualities. Vyarawalla lived life on her own terms and her remains were disposed in the manner that she wished. She was cremated amidst a large group of admirers with her last rites being performed in the Parsi way.
In retrospect, one wishes that Vyara-walla had been cajoled to come into the mainstream of the community as she would have served as an audio-visual historian, especially for Gen X!
RODA HAKIM
Baroda
roda.hakim@gmail.com
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