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VOL. XVI, ISSUE 3, 2020

NANI A. PAlkhIvAlA - ThE MAN Of All sEAsONs

In our obsession with the Gross National Product, we have forgotten
Gross National Happiness. Growth is concerned with the former,
development with the latter. Growth is quantitative, development is
qualitative. Quantitative growth counts, but qualitative development matters.

- Nani A. Palkhivala
FROM THE
Nanabhoy (Nani) Ardeshir Palkhivala serves as an ideal inspiration for the
younger generation with all-encompassing qualities of being an eminent lawyer,
the best tax expert, respected industrialist, distinguished diplomat, educationist,

skilful orator, prolific author, humanist and a great philanthropist.
On the occasion of the birth centenary of Nani Palkhivala on January 16, 2020,
COLLECTION
Tata Central Archives brings you a special issue on the legend who became
a household name, not only amongst lawyers, but with every person and
organisation that he was associated with.
Born on January 16, 1920, Nani Palkhivala hailed from carried out so meticulously, for it was from him that
Nani Ardeshir Palkhivala.
Early Years and Education

a humble middle-class Parsi family in Bombay (now Palkhivala developed the art of perfection.
commerce. His ancestors were in the profession of THE
OF
Nani Palkhivala’s schooling was at Master’s Tutorial
Mumbai) with no connections in the field of law or
making “palkhis,” or palanquins. Hence the surname High School in Bombay. He was a brilliant student and
did extremely well. In his childhood he suffered from
Palkhivala, which like many Parsi surnames, is acute stammering, which he overcame with sheer grit
associated with the particular profession. and determination and later went on to become an

TATA CENTRAL ARCHIVES
He spent his childhood in Tardeo and Nana Chowk, orator par excellence. Besides this, he also suffered
from writer’s cramps in his fingers which made writing
Bombay, with
his
parents,
Sheherbanoo difficult.
and Ardeshir, Though challenged with these difficulties, in his
an older sister, younger days, he did take to music and played the
Amy and violin. He was also an expert at fretwork, studied
a younger palmistry, did sketching and painting and loved
brother, photography.
Behram. The Palkhivala was very fond of reading. Forgoing
main business
of Palkhivala’s pleasures, and even some necessities of life, he would
father was save almost every bit of money to buy second-hand
running a books - then available at four annas a book. His
laundry at favourite haunt was Popular Book Depot on Lamington
Cumballa Road, whose proprietor, the late Ganeshrao Bhatkal,
Hill, Bombay, allowed him full freedom to browse till the closing
As a boy, displaying his musical skills
with the violin. which he hours.