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Tete A Tete

MEHER MOOS

A leisurely luncheon
For the past many days, there has been a flurry of activity at the home and office of BINDU and RANA KAPOOR of Rabobank. And not without cause. The prestigious Rabobank along with the Tata Group magnanimously sponsored the visit of ZUBIN MEHTA and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra to Mumbai. But naturally, the Vice Chairman of Rabobank International, WOUTER KOLFF and his charming wife CUNA, flew down for the occasion. To meet Cuna Kolff, Bindu Kapoor called across an eclectic mix of ladies for an afternoon of elegant wining and dining at her lovely bungalow at Grand Paradi. There was Paramparik Karigar's staunchest supporter RATNA KRISHNA KUMAR, VALERIE BOOKER wife of the CEO of HSBC, TV artiste MAYA ALAGH, REENA ASHOK WADHWA also into TV serials, TASNEEM MEHTA of Intach, MARTINE LYON, INDU SHAHANI of HR College, VERA UDVADIA, NINA KILACHAND, SIRIKIT REUCHLIN of the Netherlands Consulate, SIMONE TATA and Bindu's sister MADHU KAPOOR. Serenading as gently on the piano was versatile musician IVAN RODRICKS, whose old time medleys had popular photographer FAROKH JUSSAWALLA go into raptures. The Kapoor's living room is dominated by works of painter Gurcharan Das and there are several other unique objet's d'art to excite you. But that afternoon, it was the excellent array of culinary oriental selections that attracted us. And what a fitting finale, when JOSEPH DIAS of AMRISH ARORA'S Fountain Caterers brought out a large and luscious strawberry cream and meringue gateaux to tantalise us.

Entertaining with flair
I have always admired the sartorial elegance of JIMMY SARBH, head of P & O Ports, South Asia and Middle East and his immaculately dressed wife LALE, of the Pundole Art Gallery. Together they make quite a swell couple and their opulent Penthouse at Malabar Hill is often the venue of some superb soirees. Last week, the Sarbhs had hosted a cosy and intimate dinner for friends to meet ROBERT WOODS, Chairman of P & O Ports, London and his lovely wife GEORGIANA. Many of the guests were naturally connected with shipping interests, like the charming chairperson of the Mumbai Port Trust RANI JADHAV, the Chairman of the JNPT RAVI BODDHIRAJA, HANS OLE MADSON of Maersk India, IAN CLAXTON of APL India and KALPANA and P.K. SRIVASTAVA of SCI. Walking across from the aesthetic setting of their ever so tastefully decorated living room to the spacious terrace outside, we were pleasantly surprised by the cool breeze that stayed with us all evening, as we admired the glittering brilliance of the Queen's Necklace and the luminous waters of the bay all around. Here I chatted with VANDANA and her solicitor husband BERGIS DESAI, MAHAKHURSHEED BYRAMJEE and her son RISHAD, SUBUR and NASSER MUNJEE of IDFC and RADHA and ASHOK SUD of Standard Chartered. We were thoroughly pampered over dinner with an outstanding menu prepared by FARROKH KHAMBATTA of Catering & Allied. There was a moist Hyderabadi raan, a superbly smoked baingan bharta, a creamy dal bukhara to a tangy Goan rawas curry. I particularly enjoyed talking to the Sarbh's kids SIMONEIL and JIM, who both attend the American school in Mumbai and like their parents are well immersed into the art scene. Before leaving, we all raised the toast to our chief guest who is soon to take over as the new CEO of POSN (Peninsula and Oriental Steam Navigation).

Glitter and glamour hits Bombay Society
Last weekend saw two glittering events, both at the Taj Mahal Hotel in Bombay in connection with the visit of world renowned conductor ZUBIN MEHTA and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. The first night's dinner hosted by the Chairman of the Taj Group, MR. RATAN TATA and the MD MR. KRISHNA KUMAR. The Taj Ballroom boasted some of the very best cuisine ever. The next night saw the corporate honchos and the glitterati once again at the Chamber's Terrace for yet another dinner hosted by BINDU and RANA KAPOOR, CEO & MD of Rabo India and SIRIKIT and MAARTEN REUCHLIN, Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherland. That evening, Maestro Zubin Mehta was honoured with a specially crafted memento by Rana Kapoor on behalf of Rabo India. Amongst the distinguished guests were WOUTER KOLFF (Vice Chmn., Rabobank International and his wife CUNA, Ratan and Mr. Krishna Kumar, JAMSHED BHABHA, MAUREEN and NUSLI WADIA with their son JEH, Austrian Ambassador DR. JUTTA STEFANBASTL, amongst others.