In 1980, when author Murzban F. Shroff was 15, he discovered himself in a dilemma. British rock band The Police have been enjoying a one-off gig at Rang Bhavan, their solely live performance in India. Unable to afford a ticket, he scaled the venue’s wall — solely to be caught.
“Just when things looked bleak, a westerner stepped in, persuading the police to let me go,” says Murzban. In an surprising act of kindness, the stranger handed him a ticket and walked away. “I was stunned by his generosity. The atmosphere was electric; it was Bombay’s first major rock concert. At the time, I had no idea that the event was organised by the ladies of the Time & Talents Club.” Interestingly, in an interview with Rolling Stone India final 12 months, Sting recalled the efficiency, describing it as a defining second in his love for India.
The Police in Bombay
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The Police/Facebook
Last month, the Time and Talents Club marked its ninetieth anniversary, and did what it does greatest — held a fundraiser with some assist from Delhi-based designer Ashdeen Lilaowala. As the lights dimmed, singer Delraaz Bunshah took the stage in a hand-embroidered black Ashdeen bustier robe, adopted by a number of members of the Parsi group, together with digital content material creator Scherezade Shroff Talwar and movie star stylist Anaita Shroff Adajania, strolling the ramp. “I curated 30 archival pieces, tweaking them for the occasion,” says Lilaowala, whose label reimagines the Parsi gara. He donated a gara sari for public sale, with proceeds going in the direction of girls’s empowerment initiatives.
Delraaz Bunshah
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Special association
The designer speaks fondly about planning the style present, and how each time they met, the ladies would convey alongside hen sandwiches and an icebox stuffed with drinks. “They believed in keeping me well-fed,” he laughs, “but it also created a lovely sense of community.” Their discussions have been energetic, and whereas they admitted that know-how wasn’t their greatest pal, they have been keen to embrace it. In reality, they agreed to checklist tickets for the celebration dinner on BookMyShow — one thing they’d by no means achieved earlier than.
Scherezade Shroff Talwar and (proper) Anaita Shroff Adajania
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Special association
Building town’s cultural panorama
The Time & Talents Club has round 175 members at present, nearly all of whom are over 60 years of age. But that hasn’t put a damper on their philanthropy. The funds from their newest initiative, for example, “will go towards [a variety of initiatives] — whether it’s training, shelter, or healthcare”, says Bhaktawar Shroff, the present performing president.
Ashdeen Lilaowala with Bhaktawar Shroff
| Photo Credit:
Special association
The club started in 1934 when three sisters — Gool, Hilla, and Sooni of the Mulla household — met Roshan Sethna. They invited her to share her jewellery-making expertise with them over espresso, and as extra pals joined, Sethna grew to become a part of a weekly gathering at their mom Lady Jerbai Mulla’s residence.
What started with stitching, knitting, and cooking later expanded into broader philanthropic initiatives — like establishing the Victoria Stall in Apollo Bunder to make meals for the Indian Armed Forces in the course of the 1966 and 1971 Indo-Pak wars. The club’s golden jubilee in 1984 noticed Zubin Mehta carry out; a becoming tribute since his father, Mehli Mehta, had been the primary featured artist of their live performance sequence.
Zubin Mehta hugging Gool Shavaksha
| Photo Credit:
Courtesy of the Time & Talents Club
One of the books revealed by the club talks about how, when Mehli carried out at Monginis Hall in Churchgate, a clock struck seven jarring notes, momentarily unsettling the viewers. The musicians, unfazed, waited for the seventh stroke earlier than persevering with. Inspired by Mehli’s ardour, the ladies organised a sequence of academic concert events to current chamber music in an intimate setting — Bombay’s drawing rooms. These concert events have been held at philanthropists Lady Cowasjee Jehangir and Lady Bomanji’s properties, and the Raj Bhavan’s Durbar Hall and Drawing Room.
“The ladies were resourceful in securing top musicians,” says Bhaktawar. She recollects how in 1957, they staged two landmark occasions: a San Francisco ballet efficiency at Rang Bhavan, and a live performance by the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra, performed by Antal Doráti at Eros Theatre. “They reached out to managers and convinced artists touring Japan and Southeast Asia to make a stop in Bombay. And the club handled everything — from flights to accommodation, often hosting them in their own homes.”
Just a few of the artistes who’ve carried out for the Time & Talents Club
| Photo Credit:
Courtesy of the Time & Talents Club
Over the years, there have been a number of bloopers, too. A member remembers when the club introduced Chinese pianist Fut Song for a live performance recital. At the dinner that adopted, a visitor tried to indicate off his musical information and instructed Fut that although he had performed properly, he had neglected a complete part. The pianist was offended and a enormous argument broke out, and the host needed to intervene.
“Ashdeen is a revivalist designer who has infused Parsi Gara embroidery with the most exquisite contemporary touch. Collaborating with him to create a sari gown was an absolute dream, and unveiling it at a show in partnership with the Time & Talents Club made it even more special. The women of this club are truly extraordinary, dedicating themselves to incredible philanthropic work. Their cookbook, filled with iconic Parsi recipes, is a treasured classic. I grew up with it, and when I got married, my mum gifted me my own copy. I still turn to it often, and what makes it even more special is that every recipe is credited to the woman who contributed it, making it feel so personal and rich with history. Fun fact: these legendary ladies once brought The Police to Bombay — believing they were a police band! The night was unforgettable. I had the privilege of walking alongside the most beautiful Parsi girls, including my sister and [later] feast on Parsi wedding food by the famous Tanaz Godiwala.”Anaita Shroff AdajaniaCelebrity stylist
Cookbooks to excessive vogue
Fashion was one other of the club’s cultural touchpoints. In 1962, member Dina Bilimoria, who was residing in Paris then, contacted clothier Marc Bohan of Dior, resulting in a Bombay showcase of the French luxurious model’s newest assortment, with mannequins flown in from France. The occasion was held on the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, because of physicist Homi Bhabha. Similar exhibits adopted with Pierre Cardin in 1967 and Jacques Esterel in 1969.
“The club has also left its mark on Bombay’s culinary history. In 1935, it published The Time & Talents Club Recipe Book, which went on to become a staple in Parsi households,” says Kamal Mulla, who served as director of initiatives for over three many years. “What started as a modest collection of 100 recipes grew into a compendium of over 2,000 dishes, spanning Parsi, Indian, and international cuisines.” It included recipes from well-known Parsi figures. One standout is Curry à la Zubin Mehta, a dish shared by the well-known conductor that he most likely whipped up on his excursions, with canned shrimp and coconut milk.
A legacy of care
Victory Stall was a defining undertaking for the club. Established in 1963 in the course of the Chinese aggression, it was set as much as help widows and orphans of troopers. Pipsy Wadia, a club member, persuaded Homi Bhabha to allocate area on the Atomic Energy Commission for the initiative. Initially a small operation serving home made Parsi dishes, it developed into a full-fledged restaurant at NCPA. It grew to become a Bombay establishment, drawing intellectuals, households, and workplace employees for its reasonably priced meals.
During the Indo-Pakistan wars of 1966 and 1971, the club despatched care packages to troopers. One of its artistic fundraisers showcased handcrafted floral preparations, dolls, and artefacts from South India. This led to The House of Bamboo, a memento store that later grew to become a Fair Price Shop, promoting family items at among the lowest charges within the metropolis. The initiative even impressed the Maharashtra authorities to launch Sahakari Bhandar cooperative shops.
Giving and receiving love
“We take friendships seriously. There’s personal philanthropy — the way we show up for one another — and a universal compassion, which I believe stems from our history,” says Bhaktawar. “We were given shelter in India, and many of us haven’t forgotten that. It’s reciprocal — we give, but we also receive love and respect.” A small distinction now: whereas the newer technology is keen to contribute financially, few are stepping as much as be a part of committees or tackle organisational roles.
Republic Day Ball in 1950
| Photo Credit:
Courtesy of the Time & Talents Club
Today, the club’s philanthropic focus spans rural welfare, healthcare, and rehabilitation. “Our focus is curative cancer treatment for children of labourers, rickshaw drivers, and shopkeepers who require chemo- therapy and radiation,” she says. The club additionally helps a secure shelter for girls in Gadchiroli, offers menstrual well being training in Dhanora village, and works with survivors of human trafficking, providing vocational coaching.
Published – March 07, 2025 03:44 pm IST
