Nostalgia Lane

The Time and Talents Club was started by a court magistrate and author,Gool Shavaksha,in 1934 after one of her trips to London where she first heard of a club engaged in charitable activities. The club has had predominantly Parsi members though that was never the aim. “We are open to having members from all communities. Our charity projects cater to everybody,irrespective of caste,religion and sect,” says Kamal Mulla,who heads the projects committee of the club. 

Over the 79 years,food has been an integral part of its journey. Its books are well known among food lovers,with Shavaksha,Amy R Adenwalla,Mary C Jamsetjee and Bhicoo J Manekshaw (who passed away last month in Delhi) among its first and most contributors.

Victory Stall,the club’s erstwhile eatery at Apollo Pier,was a landmark of sorts. “It was set up in 1963 to support widows and orphans of Indian soliders. It was managed by the club’s members. The eatery then moved to National Centre for Performing Arts and wound up a few years later,leaving the book of recipes as the main source of income for the club,” says Villie Mehta,a veteran.

Meher Amersey,who heads the music and arts committee,remembers the days when the club had an event almost every other month. “Scores of orchestras,including the Berlin Chamber Orchestra and the Warsaw National Philharmonic Orchestra,have performed for the club. We once had Benno Moiseiwitsch,the world-famous Ukraine-born British pianist perform in Mumbai. He was so overwhelmed by our welcome that all he wanted in return for an encore was an evening spent playing cards,” says Amersey. Today,however,things have changed.

The club also had a love affair with fashion. Cooper,recalls how luxury brands such as Christian Dior and Pierre Cardin held shows for the club in the ‘60s. “The Dior show was the first by the brand in India and it was held on the lawns of Bhaba Atomic Research Centre,” she says. While such shows have dried up,the club still has some loyal supporters. “Usha Uthup has always been a call away for us,” says Amersey.

The club office is located near the Gateway of India. With a strength of 180,and the average age of members hovering at 45 and above,it is seeking young members. “With a lifetime membership fee of Rs 6,000,becoming a member is a smooth process. But most youngsters don’t have time for it,” says Sanober Irani,the secretary.

The members,however,are not letting these obstacles dampen their enthusiasm as they get ready for the 80th year celebrations next year. “We have launched the twelfth edition of the book of recipes that has been rechristened as A Treasury of Great Recipes – Indian and International,” says Niloufer Vakil,vice-president of the club.