Tanubhrt.This.Side

We have picked up a new book, and this time it is “The Dismantling of India”, book that talks about the prominent Indians, the ones that shaped and made a mark in the country. Who better to start it with, other than the Tatas!

I found out today that J.R.D Tata was a visionary! I knew his name, and the fact that he founded Tata, but the marvel that this man is, is brilliant! The fact that the Tatas have a art items that could become a gallery, and the pride he took in work, is inspiring.

S.K Kook and Bobby Kooka! If only we talked or may be the fact that if only we read a lot, we would know that a company is not run just by the leader but also by creative geniuses like these two men! Do you know Tatas, because of them, had a commercial once, for air India, which said,” We do business only in three languages : English, English, English”!. Reminded me of the dialogue from Dirty Picture!

The art that Tatas possessed, can be contributed to the intelligence of Jal Cowasji. Honestly I did not knew the love that scientist and business men had for art! Imagine, Homi Bhabha, the cult scientist, being called the modern equivalent of Leonardo Da Vinci! He was, and may be he his! You should definitely check the TIFR Art Collection!

The common point between all these four men, Tata and Bhabha, Kooka and Cowasji is the fact that they are Parsi! Imagine if they had not contributed to the Indian economy, where the so called Hindustani must have been! The fact that India was built for people who went beyond their culture and religion, seemed making so much sense to me, rather than having a land just for Hindustani, land just for Hindus!

And the brilliance of Tatas! it seems as if all the good things happening to India, majorly have been done by the Tatas! Be it IISC or the art gallery or the provident fund and gratuity! Generations of people, working towards making the country progress. I think and I know I am brining back the discussion, but that was the vision that started of with making of India. Excellent people, coming together to make a country or land that was not clouded by religion but celebrated intelligence and vision!

I might be writing about the people I met in some of the blogs that I write sooner or later. But to tell you, I found out about Niira Radia, she is a lobbyist! and also about Lalit Kala Akademi, the academy of fine arts! Niira Radia, because she is a lobbyist and who in ways responsible for convincing in brining in of Airbus to India. She also was related to the 2G Scam that happened!

Lalit Kala Akademi seems to be fighting the battle for escaping the government presence in its institutions, finding its way to remain autonomous, to let art remain autonomous!

Tatas have lived their life a little dangerously, and what a well life they lived! I have a new found respect for the Tatas! For the generation of people that they build, and the country they build!

Foolishly Yours,

Avantika

PS: foolishly yours was the magazine name that was given in Air India. Beautiful isn’t it!