Edul Bhagwagar (pictured) was an important figure not only in the Nagpur Parsi community, but in the entire city. He always took part in every important event at the Parsi Dharamshala and Agiary.
With twinkling eyes, Edul Uncle would tease me at every function, saying, "Always speak in English.” I often wondered why he would say this only to me and to no other child. I even asked him what he meant by it, and he would laugh… but never explain. Finally as I grew older, I realized that he probably said it because as a talkative child I probably rambled on in incorrect English which is why he must have enjoyed teasing me about it.
He shared a warm bond with my parents. They had always been on friendly terms, but after a trip to Iran on the same tour they grew closer. My parents lived on their own in Nagpur, as my brother and I were based in other cities. But they were never lonely because they had wonderful friends like Edul Uncle who stood by them. He invited them for dinners and parties to his lovely house and loved coming over whenever invited for a home cooked dinner. "I am so sorry my house is so small,” my mother would apologize for any inconvenience. "How does it matter?” he would reply, "Houses can be small, hearts should be large… and that’s all that matters.” It is this quality of his that endeared him to all. He accepted friends for who they were rather than what they had.
People flocked to his house every Parsi New Year to enjoy his warm hospitality. He personally welcomed every guest and ensured that they had enough to eat and drink. In true Parsi "spirit” the spread was always delicious; after all, Tauby, his lovely daughter-in-law, was in charge. Dilnavaz Aunty welcomed everyone in her own graceful way. Last Parsi New Year we were invited to their home in the afternoon. The party was already going strong when we arrived. As soon as Edul Uncle spotted us, he came over and sat with us as long as we were there. This made the day special.
Edul Uncle shared a special bond with my husband Asif as well. They had both studied at Boys’ Town school in Nasik, although of course a generation apart. About three weeks back we all had dinner together at my place. My father, who was from La Martiniere, was proud of his school and its renowned heritage, so Edul Uncle and Asif ganged up to tease him every time he spoke about La Martiniere by saying, "May be… but our Boys’ Town rocks!” My father, with regal dignity, ignored this constant interruption in his narration. Edul Uncle was a school boy at heart right till the end, mischievous, generous, fun-loving and full of life. And that is how he will always remain in our hearts. A loving husband, a wonderful father, a doting grandfather… a true friend … a stalwart… but to me, he will always be my darling Edul Uncle who teased me with a twinkle in his eyes, "Always speak in English.”
KHUSHNOOR SHAIKH
Nagpur
authorkhushnoor@gmail.com