"Fortitude in adversity, magnanimity in prosperity, eloquence in assembly, valor in battle, devotion to knowledge were the inborn qualities that Fali (Nariman) displayed during his life,” stated Supreme Court Justice Jamshed Pardiwala addressing a memorial meeting for the late eminent jurist held by the Delhi Parsi Anjuman (DPA) on April 7, 2024. "In him there was a good amalgam of idealism and pragmatism, affability and humaneness…While his knowledge of law was enormous, it was his analytical mind that could read the most obscure statute and analyze it and give it clarity… Whilst he brought passion and heat to his arguments when in legal battle, he never carried it outside the courtroom,” he added. Pardiwala stated that "one lovable trait was his relationship with his juniors, towards whom he was most solicitous, and helped and guided them with genuine interest.”
DPA president Ava Khullar sent Parsiana a note about the meet observing, "As speaker after speaker came forth, a well-rounded understanding of Nariman’s personality and life, his work, as a family man, his interactions with people who sought his advice and above all, a warm, jovial human being, emerged.” Nariman passed away on February 21, 2024 (see "The legal legend,” Parsiana, March 21-April 6, 2024).
Politician, economist and conspiracy theorist Dr Subramanian Swamy revealed how Nariman joked with him about his political ideology which the jurist did not share, but Nariman nevertheless stood up for Swamy when targeted. "On one occasion he even appeared for me himself when I was taken to court by a political opponent, a friend of his, who had been offended by my views on public events and subjected me to a defamation case… Despite his huge legal commitments, he would take time out and advise me on how to structure my arguments… Thanks to Fali, l learnt enough to appear in a plethora of cases, mostly defamation cases filed against me and to win them all, to the consternation of senior advocates, friends of his, who would appear for my political opponents.”
At memorial meeting for Fali Nariman, clockwise from top l: Justice Rohinton Nariman (retd), Dr Sanaya Nariman,
Justice Jamshed Pardiwala, Ava Khullar, Dr Subramanian Swamy; audience; photo of Fali and Bapsi
Nariman was a mentor to many. Advocate Subhash Sharma who came to work with him at the age of 27, and who remained with him for 38 years, stated, "Every moment was a real test of his values, and he passed this test again and again… When (he was) talking of values, virtues and duties, it did not sound hollow.”
Erstwhile DPA president Yezad Kapadia talked about the constructive advice he received from Nariman. "Above all Fali was a true Zoroastrian,” he stated. Parzor director Dr Shernaz Cama fondly remembered her "favorite Fali uncle for standing by her during a difficult period in her personal life, and also his support to Parzor as a patron in collecting funds.” She commented that though Nariman did not wear his religion on his sleeve, he was always there to fight for the community as exemplified by his support to the public interest litigation affecting the Delhi fire temple which is now pending in the Supreme Court (regarding access for all), and other cases.
A theme that ran through the speeches of several speakers was the dominant role Fali’s wife Bapsi played in his life, Khullar noted. A pillar of support, clear and decisive in her thinking and advice to Fali, she reportedly kept him from extremes. As daughter-in-law Sanaya Nariman mentioned, when Fali got a call offering him Rajya Sabha membership, Bapsi saw him wavering and immediately called out "Say yes! Say yes!” Family friend Feroza Jassawala said "Fali was the perfect foil for Bapsi’s vivacity, his sense of humor and jovial observations on life, and her classic retorts made them the ideal couple.” Fali’s lawyer granddaughter Nina stated that his relationship with his two granddaughters was one of fun, mischief and affection. The jurist introduced them to the English literary classics, writers like Charles Dickens and William Shakespeare by dramatizing the stories for them.
Fali’s son Rohinton, retired Supreme Court judge, drew parallels between his father’s life and his. "Both of us did exceptionally well in our L. L. B… but I am one up on him as I went to Harvard.” He stated that he went to Harvard only on account of Bapsi. "Mother insisted that I should be the best. Both of us became senior advocates at relatively young ages…Both of us rendered public service, he as a Rajya Sabha member and I as a Supreme Court judge.
Speaking last, Khullar recalled the jurist’s wit when, at a farewell dinner for Dhun Bagli, manager at the Mengusi Dharamshala in 2017, Fali read out an ode to Bagli composed along with poet Keki Daruwala and activist Maja Daruwalla. "As he walked up to the stage to speak, his Man Friday walked behind carrying a big placard with the poem written on it which Fali pompously delivered.” The ode paid homage to Bagli’s culinary and interpersonal skills: "Purveyor of soft drinks and chips/ That made a beeline for our hips… But we can vouch — Maja, Keki and Fali/ That there will be no match for your boti-sali” (see "Dhun at the Dharamshala,” Parsiana, October 7, 2017).
The function concluded with a lunch hosted by Rohinton and Sanaya Nariman.
Farrokh Jijina