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Dr Cyrus Poonawalla is as much a household name in India as Ratan Tata, particularly after the pandemic. Sultan of Vaccines, Uncrowned King of Poona, Racing Supremo, his life story will make a fascinating read. Instead, he has commissioned a coffee table book on his ancestors. Titled Tracing the Roots – History of Our Family & More, it is printed on high quality art paper. This labor of love has been researched and compiled by Sarosh Bokdawalla of Poona, retired deputy general manager of the Poonawalla founded Serum Institute of India, and covers 392 individuals and 138 families tracing their roots to the Poonawalla patriarch, Dhunjishaw Jamshetji Anklesaria or Poonawalla. Only a few copies were printed for private circulation.
The founder of the clan, born in a humble abode in Ankleshwar in Gujarat, migrated to Poona at 13 and, in a rags to riches story, rose to be a successful building contractor owning more than 100 properties all over the city which were inherited by his 11 sons. All from a single mother! Little is known about his three daughters from a previous wife. He would have a great-great-grandson, Cyrus, who would be in the Forbes List of Billionaires, and would reach far greater heights by his own blood and sweat.
Few know that Cyrus is closely related to the Byramjee Jeejeebhoy family; and fewer that he is related to the Shapoorji Pallonji clan. Bokdawalla has painstakingly compiled the family trees of the extended family of the founder. An exceptional number of foreigners and juddins figure in these trees showing that many married interfaith. The founder’s second son, Cursetjee, was the first Indian handicapper at the Royal Western India Turf Club, and a trophy in his honor is presented even today. Cursetjee’s youngest brother, Cowasjee, was a horse trainer and had a famous horse called Zulfikar. They could not have imagined that a few decades later, their great-grand-nephew would be the King of the Turf. Cyrus quite literally has racing in his genes. Some rare photographs of 19th century Poona included in the book are interesting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The compiler has done a fine job with the indexing and cross checking of facts. The presentation of a drab subject is well executed. However, almost all want to read the biography of the most illustrious descendant of Dhunjishaw. Maybe Dr Poonawalla won’t disappoint his legion of admirers.
BERJIS DESAI