Got a shock when reading the newspaper today morning. Homi Bathena, the founder-owner of the erstwhile Jazz Garden had met with an accident on the Bombay-Pune highway and was no more. Apparently, a bus rammed into his car, though some other passengers in the car survived.
Jazz Garden was one of the several restaurants that was part of the ABC Farms complex. It was a favoured haunt for me and like minded friends and we would often chill out there and enjoy the live music over good food and drinks. This place was a fantastic platform for new and upcoming musicians to showcase their talent, and I remember thinking highly of some of those bands at the time.
My personal interaction with him was limited to barely a couple of occasions some years ago, but even then, what I felt drawn to was his sense of humour and his never ending enthusiasm to live life to it’s fullest.
He was only in his forties, and did not deserve to die so young. R.I.P Homi, you will be missed…
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4 users commented in " Homi Bathena of Jazz Garden is no more "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a Trackbacki was truly shocked to know that Homi is no more. It’s not possible that a gentlemen whose life revolved around love, affection and service to others has actually left the world in such a sad and sudden fashion.
I have known Homi and Neena since the last 15 years and have been the recipient of their awesome hospitality. Homi was a divine person - although he was in the restaurant business, he was never business like - he did it with so much love and selflessness. He was extremely dignified and his smile was so charming. Both me and my husband were his fans - he didn’t know it - i should have told him. When my husband Vishwas, was not well he gave him `light therapy’ for several months and we will never forget this.
Homi brought life to the dying jazz and rock bands of the city. He gave them a platform at Jazz Garden not with the motive of profit but because he himself was a music lover and wanted to keep this fraternity alive. So many instrumenatal music artists are thankful for his support.
On several occassions, we preferred to give our parties at Jazz Garden and Homi was always there to give us the best menu. The serene surroundings of the Jazz Garden added charm to the menu.
A few days back we met Homi and Neena at the China Grill restaurant in Wanowrie but I just said hello because I was sitting with a group of friends. I wish I had got up and had a chat with him - hadn’t met him for a long time after I left The Indian Express. How would I know that he would suddenly be no more? Despite Death being the only truth we live our life in the hope of immortality - we take the person for granted.
May his soul rest in peace. May Neena get the inner strength to suffer this colossal loss.
Vinita Deshmukh
Senior journalist
We cannot believe that Homi is no more. His son Aarish was my son’s (Rohit)best friend and we deeply grieve the loss as a close friend who resided at the same complex, UTOPIA, with us. May his soul rest in peace.
John, Rachel and RohitMathew
Agree with you, he was truly one of a kind.. and we also enjoyed our moments there. Tx for the post, dude.
I’m in shock. I cannot believe the incredibly spirited, wonderful, funny Homi is no more. May his wife and son find strength in the many wonderful people whose hearts he will live on in. it’s been almost 5 years since I saw him last, but I’ll never forget my inetreactions with him every weekend at Jazz Garden. Homi will be missed for his warmth, his natural ability to make people laugh, and his wonderful undying spirit for living life as best as he can!
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