Wadia family
Wadia family | |
---|---|
Current region | |
Connected families | Jinnah family |
Traditions | Zoroastrianism |
Heirlooms | Wadia Group |
The Wadia family
History
The poem whose words would become the lyrics of The Star-Spangled Banner, the national anthem of the United States, were written in 1812 on board a Wadia-built British Royal Navy ship, HMS Minden by Francis Scott Key.[4]
By the 1840s, the family was one of the leading forces in the Indian shipbuilding industry. At that time they had built over a hundred warships for Britain, and had trading networks around the world.
The prominent women of the Wadia family, including Motlibai Maneckji Wadia, Jerbai Nusserwanji Wadia, and Lady Hirabai Cowasji Jehangir, were known for their philanthropy in providing financial support to
Lovji Nusserwanjee Wadia's great-grandsons,
The Wadia family owns a textile company called Bombay Dyeing which was founded by Nowrosjee Wadia who became a big texitle businessman. Nowrosjee married Bai Jerbai who became a big philanthropist.[3] She built five residential colonies, known as baugs, for Parsis who were unable to afford houses.[8][9] These five baugs honoring her husband and three sons are: Cusrow Baug, Ness Baug, Rustom Baug, Jer Baug and Nowroze Baug; with total 1545 houses in them.[9][10]
After Nowrosjee died, Bombay Dyeing was passed down to his son, Ness Wadia (later "Sir Ness" after he received a knighthood for services to the
Though Dina and Neville divorced in 1943, she remained a prominent member of the Wadia family.[13][14] The fracas between Neville and his son Nusli is a part of industry folklore in India. In 1971 Neville decided to sell Bombay Dyeing because of the financial problems it was having and also had plans to move abroad. Nusli however stopped him as he had his own plans to run the company and did not want to leave India. He later took over as chairman of Bombay Dyeing in 1977, when Neville finally accepted that he was beaten and stepped aside. Nusli is now the chairman of the Wadia Group.
Members of the family have also settled outside of Mumbai in the United Kingdom (such as British-Indian actress Nina Wadia) and the United States (such as Maneck Sorabji Wadia, Indian-American management consultant).[2]
The family may be mentioned in books and/or movies. One example of a book is Age of Vice by Deepti Kapoor which is based in New Delhi and the family is mentioned.
Notable members
- Lovji Nusserwanjee Wadia (1702–1774), shipwright, founded Wadia Group in 1736.
- Jamsetjee Bomanjee Wadia (1754–1821), shipbuilder.
- Ardaseer Cursetjee (1808–1877), shipbuilder and engineer.
- Dhunbai Cowasji Jehangir (1860-1940), philanthropist, leader of women's organizations
- Bahman Pestonji Wadia(1881–1958), theosophist and labour activist.
- Darashaw Nosherwan Wadia (1883–1969), geologist, winner of Padma Bhushan (1958).
- J. B. H. Wadia (1901–1986), film director, screenwriter, producer.
- Homi Wadia (1911–2004), film director, screenwriter, producer.
- Fearless Nadia (1908–1996), film actress, wife of Homi.
- Neville Wadia (1911–1996), chairman Bombay Dyeing (1952–1977).
- Rattanbai Petit.
- Nusli Wadia (born 1944), son of Neville and Dina, chairman of Bombay Dyeing since 1977.
- Jamshed "Jim" Wadia (born 1947), businessman.
- Spenta R. Wadia (born 1950), theoretical physicist, founding director of ICTS-TIFR.
- Ness Wadia (born 1971), businessman, son of Nusli.
- Jehangir Wadia (born 1973), businessman, son of Nusli.
- Nina Wadia (born 1968), actress.
References
- ^ "Wadia Group". 6 December 2000.
- ^ a b c d "The Wadias of India". Vohuman, A Zoroastrian Educational Institute. 28 May 2018.
- ^ a b c "Fact file: Jinnah's family". Dawn. 26 December 2009. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
Dina and Neville lived in Mumbai and had two children, a boy and a girl, before the couple divorced.
- ^ "The US National Anthem Was Written Aboard This Made-In-India Ship". The Quint. 5 April 2017.
- ^ Singh, Kuldip (6 August 1996). "Obituary: Neville Wadia". The Independent. Retrieved 10 August 2018.
- ^ "SAVITRIBAI PHULE PUNE UNIVERSITY". 27 March 2020.
- ^ "Surat's Wadias created Fearless Nadia". The Times of India. 2 October 2010. Retrieved 18 September 2014.
- ^ "Insider's guide to... Colaba". Hindustan Times. 5 November 2015. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-520-28122-6.
- ^ Teotia, Sweta (26 October 2008). "Tales from Cusrow Baug". Indian Express. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
- ^ Guriro, Amar (30 June 2009). "Aslam Jinnah's claim of being Quaid's family disputed". Daily Times. Archived from the original on 16 April 2013. Retrieved 11 September 2012.
- ^ "Dina Wadia's last meeting with Quaid-e-Azam–in her own words". Samaa. PTI. 2 November 2017. Retrieved 2 November 2017.
- ^ "Dina Wadia and her darling papa". Geo News. PTI. 2 November 2017. Retrieved 2 November 2017.
- ^ "Remembering Dina". Tribune.pk. 17 November 2017.