A Woman Of Substance!

PHEROZA GODREJ

Environmentalist, author, entrepreneur, painter, devoted wife, loving mother� the list is endless. And that�s Pheroza Godrej for you. A woman of substance and style, who packs in more than she can in her 24-hour day.

Cymroza Art Gallery, her baby as she refers to it, is 35 years old and was started by her as a venue for artists (both established and upcoming) to showcase their talent. Not many may be aware that Pheroza has been a student of the J. J. School of Art and is an accomplished artist herself. But sadly, she said she no longer indulges in her passion for painting.

The Godrejs�s enjoy simple food at home and if it�s an Indian meal then just some rice and lentils, vegetable or a baked dish. The emphasis is always that it should be non-greasy and non-spicy. If it�s Continental, then it would be grilled or boiled. The family has a preference for seafood. Similarily the choice of wines is flexible. Her favourite is a Rose from Cote de Provence, sadly not easily available here.

Entertaining is also what she enjoys doing, whether it is family, friends or business associates, all are equally important to her. She takes care of everything, from cooking, presenting and serving the meal, including the laying of the table, linen to be used to the floral arrangements, oil lamps if it is an Indian meal and candles if it is a non-Indian meal.

Given a choice between Indian and western wear, Pheroza would opt for Indian wear. Sarees naturally are her first choice, Banarasi silks and Bangalore silks for the evening and for the day it�s cotton, khadi and handloom. �Fabrics and silk from my own country are unmatchable and if I am wearing Western wear for example trousers, I wear an Indian silk jacket or blouse accessorised with heavy raw silk fabric such as a scarf.�

But the traditional Parsi gara is what she is terribly passionate about. All garas are fabulous, she says, the simpler ones and the ones with heavy all-over embroidery. She is fortunate to have inherited both from her mother�s family, her late father�s family and from her late in-laws garas which she enjoys wearing on significant family and religious occasions.

With her impeccable and elegant dress sense, Pheroza says that although she doesn�t consider herself a �Page 3� kind, she is surprised to find herself there. �There are brands that I am partial to and Rolex would be one of them. I have a taste for certain brands of watches, or perfumes,� she laughed and said.

Today, Pheroza�s life shuttles between her gallery, her store, her passion for plants, her writing, her ever supportive husband Jamshed, her two children, Raika and Navroze, her dog Timur and her 84-year-old mother Mitha Shroff, who despite her age is as sprightly as ever. Need we say more!

QUOTE:

The Godrejs�s enjoy simple food at home and if it�s an Indian meal, then just some rice and lentils, vegetable or a baked dish. The emphasis is always that it should be non-greasy and non-spicy. If it�s Continental, then it would be grilled or boiled. Similarily the choice of wines is flexible. Her favourite is a Rose from Cote de Provence, sadly not easily available here.