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Journalism of Courage
Back in the sixties when Bombay was making its presence felt on the international party circuit, people swore that the city was like New York. Both cities had parties that carried on till sun break, potent cocktails, heady flirtations and an outre citizenry 8212; people who wore their pasts and presents on their tuxedos and evening gowns. And it was taken for granted that beauty would give you a passport to this world of glitz and glamour. But the entry of Persis Khambatta and Protima Gouri managed to create tremors in a city flirting with jaded decadence.
Which year was their debut? When did they leave? When did they come back? No one cared. Time away from the epicentre could not erase their impact. As long as Bombay could claim these beauties are part of its legend, all was forgiven. What will not be forgiven, or forgotten, is the cruel manner in which they were snatched away 8212; Persis by Yama and Protima by Kailash Mansarover 8212; on the same day.
Persis made bald beautiful incidentally, a few years ago, Protima also shaved her head. Protima found dance in her mid-twenties and set up one of the country8217;s most successful dance schools. Later Persis wrote Pride Of India and Protima survived the death of her son Siddarth. Triumph balanced loss, again and again. When the history of the city will be written it will be said that Protima and Persis helped Bombay get rid of its bourgeois hang-ups, creating a unique haven for those who dare to be different. As they did.
