How about one for Farrokh K. Irani?

In the early days of this month December 2023 there was an important news break concerning installation of a statue in our City of Palaces, Heritage Buildings, Parks, Temples, and, of course, of Statues which is a recent phenomenon.

As I remember, before 1970s there were only two iconic statues — that of Chamaraja Wadiyar at the North Gate of the Palace under a golden dome and another at K.R. Circle, the hub of downtown area, of Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV, also under a dome. Then there was an apology of a statue at the park in front of Lansdowne building that of the grand-old-man of the city affectionately called Thathaiah — a multifaceted personality — a journalist, freedom fighter and a man of social service.

However, over the years as the heritage buildings began to crumble, collapse and disappear, parks began to shrink and the Palace passed on to the Government, the social-political influence of the descendants of Wadiyar dynasty began to wane. The only new phenomenon we are observing is the mushrooming of statues of politicians, poets, saints and war heroes of the past all over the city.

Here one must recall what Supreme Court in a judgement had said about granting permission for installation of any statue or construction of any structure in public roads, pavements, sideways and other public utility places. The Supreme Court had said that the State Government shall not grant any permission for such installation of statues or construction of structures. It is, however, ambiguous if there is a blanket ban or the ban is qualified.

Be that as it may, the hard fact is that there is a controversy about the installation of a statue of late Dr. Sri Shivarathri Rajendra Swamiji of Suttur Mutt, who revolutionised the realm of education not only in our city but all over the State, country and even abroad by setting up educational institutions of various streams, including the medical colleges and hospitals, engineering and other colleges. Indeed, at a time when the State Government was straining to provide needed education, Suttur Seer undertook this daunting task and succeeded.

Such a noble and great soul indeed must be honoured by installing a statue in a city, Mysuru, which was his Karmabhoomi. But the question raised by some is about its location at the Gun House Circle to the North of the Palace as the Royalty says it has the entitlement for this location to install the statue of one of its scions.

I reflect on this controversy and the new-found interest among some in installing statues with the apprehension that this statue culture might submerge the city to a point of inanity. Wonder why not install beautiful, creative sculptures by noted sculptors of our city or country in parks and public places like in many foreign countries?

Anyway, I am provoked to remember late Farrokh Khudamurad Irani, popularly known as F.K. Irani, the city’s celebrated celebrity, industrialist who gave the country the iconic Jawa motorcycle, manufactured in our city, giving employment to over 2,500 people and a boost to many ancillary industries, in the midst of this statue conundrum.

He was a friend of the last Maharaja of Mysore H.H. Sri Jayachamaraja Wadiyar, (whose statue, installed at Hardinge Circle, now adorns in line with his two predecessors who ruled Mysore Principality) with whom he played golf; a permanent invitee to the Dasara Durbar at Mysore Palace, Chairman of Mysore Race Club (MRC) and President of Sri Kanteerava Narasimharaja Sports Club (Mysore Sports Club) for over 16 years, founder of Ideal Jawa Rotary School, member of CITB (now MUDA) and above all a great philanthropist. When there was a midnight fire that gutted the Devaraja Market, Farrokh Irani was among the first one to rush to the spot and get his men and machines to douse the fire side by side with the Fire Brigade. He never sent away anyone who sought his help empty handed.

Leaving modesty aside, I do take pride in claiming to have known him as a Rotary member and also as a member of the Sports Club. I found him as a most friendly, affable person who would love to relax with any friendly soul over a drink which he offered most generously. Such a man who gave much of his life for this city died on 24th October 1985 in Mumbai after a brief illness. He lived in Nazarbad and the Jawa Factory was in Yadavagiri where now stands the Sankalp Central Park towers.

On 25th October, the following day of his death I paid him a tribute and in the last paragraph I wrote: “It was an irony of fate that the city had to celebrate the Dasara Festival this year without Irani. I painfully recall the ‘promise’ he had made to a group of close friends, where I was present, before leaving for Bombay for medical treatment. In his usual style he had told us that he would return to city to participate in Dasara procession. That was during the 1st week of this month.                                                   But the fate had willed otherwise. Probably, for the first time in his life here Irani could not keep up his promise. We miss him forever.”

Citizens of Mysuru would have loved to see one of the important roads named after him. But all I see today is a junction at Police Commissioner’s Office named after him. The irony of it all is that the Children’s Traffic Park at this junction was his contribution. To such a person, our authorities and his beneficiaries in the city should have conferred a greater honour than just naming of that ‘junction’ after him. How about naming an important road near his factory or his house or installing a statue?

Among those who deeply mourned his death was Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa, who  on reading the news of Irani’s death in Star of Mysore dated 25th October 1985, wrote a moving letter of condolence to Irani’s wife Sheila Irani on 28th October 1985. The last paragraph of this letter expresses his sentiment and a suggestion to acknowledge Farrokh Irani’s service to Mysuru City with a statue. Let me quote Field  Marshal K.M. Cariappa:

“I hope one day we will see a statue of this great man in some most prominent place in Mysuru to remind the future generation to serve as efficiently and as magnificently as our very dear Farrokh served.”

Hellow. Is anyone hearing the Field Marshal?

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