On October 10, the hearse carrying the mortal remains of the iconic industrialist Ratan Tata arrived at the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) in Mumbai, marking a poignant moment for many who turned up to pay their final respects. While the gathering at NCPA offered a solemn tribute, not everyone was fully aware of the deep-rooted connection between India’s venerable Tata corporate house and this renowned cultural institution.
Perched at the edge of Marine Drive along the Arabian Sea, in what was once the bustling business hub of Nariman Point, NCPA stands as a sprawling sanctuary for performing arts. This cultural gem owes its existence to the visionary efforts of JRD Tata and Jamshed Bhabha. The latter was the brother of famed nuclear physicist Homi Bhabha, and a stalwart whose allegiance with the Tata Group spanned six decades.
The partnership between JRD Tata and Jamshed Bhabha resulted in the establishing of NCPA in 1969 as South Asia’s inaugural multi-venue and multi-genre cultural center. This endeavor was one of their many collaborative projects, sharing a mutual passion for creating a world-class arts center in Mumbai. NCPA chairman Khushroo N Suntook elaborates, “Bhabha approached then Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi for a land grant, and through her intercession, Maharashtra’s Chief Minister Vasantrao Naik pointed to an expanse towards the sea, saying it would be available for the project.”
Accepting the challenge, JRD Tata and Bhabha went on to reclaim the land from the sea over a four-year period. Even during the early phases of construction, Bhabha was proactive, securing temporary quarters in lawyer Bhulabhai Desai’s residence, which would later become the Bhulabhai Desai Institute. This early resilience was possible thanks to JRD Tata’s unwavering support.
Khushroo N Suntook, a close confidant to Ratan Tata, was integral in the symphony of music and culture, later founding the Symphony Orchestra of India in 2006.
. The NCPA’s first space, Tata Theatre, showcased Tata Consulting Engineers’ innovation with features like a revolving stage and acoustics masterminded by globally respected experts Phillip Johnson and Cyril Harris. Prior to its creation, Bhabha even took inspiration from concert halls in the West.
The theatre’s prestige was further enhanced in the 75th year of Tata Iron and Steel Company’s existence, when the Tata Experimental Theatre was introduced as a Black Box space. It was designed to provide an immersive audience experience through variable seating setups and its dark-toned, minimal ambiance. Additionally, the Jamshed Bhabha Theatre was inaugurated in November 1999, overcoming a calamitous fire just before its completion, testifying to Bhabha’s determination and grace under pressure.
In his correspondence with the Dorabji Tata Trust in 1965, Jamshed Bhabha articulated the significance of music and the performing arts, rooted in India’s millennia-spanning cultural tapestry. He argued that music accompanies every stage of life, from birth to death, thereby weaving it into the nation’s identity. Prompted by his vision, the Trust generously committed Rs 40 lakh, underpinning the ambitious project of the National Centre for the Performing Arts.
Ratan Tata himself carried forward this cultural torch, attending many classical music concerts, and fostering a warm friendship with Suntook and eminent conductor Zubin Mehta. Suntook recalls, “Ratan, Zubin, and I enjoyed a warm bond. Even when he couldn’t attend Zubin’s performance this September due to health issues, Ratan’s admiration for the arts never wavered.” His legacy encompasses not just his astute business acumen but also his genuine appreciation for art and culture, a testament reflected in the throngs who came to bid him farewell that October morning. Ratan Tata’s life and contributions continue to resonate within the walls of NCPA, where the arts flourish and his memory endures.
