Three Armenians in a city

They have made Mumbai their home, but these three feisty Armenian women still have a strong connection with their roots.

A Biblical legend goes that Noah’s Ark came to rest on the mountains called Ararat. The country Armenia lies in the highlands surrounding these mountains. The origins and the culture of the Armenians suggest a strong link to the Catholic faith.

Armenians started migrating to India not just from the land of their origin but also from the Middle East during the 16th and 17th centuries. Today, most Indian Armenians are settled in Kolkatta. Mumbai is home to a few of them, three to be precise.

One of the older residents in the city is the feisty and quick-witted Fort resident, 93-year-old Rosie Eknayan. India has been her home from the time she was two. Born into a family of five brothers and six sisters, Rosie was married to Artias Eknayan when she was in primary school. “Ours was an arranged marriage but it lasted for 45 years,” she says. Today, this mother of two lives alone, with the help of what she calls her ‘Rolls Royce’: her wheelchair. Another important gadget in her life is her television set that keeps her updated on the latest news around the city and the world.

The Armenians are a generous people, says Eknayan, and they do not hesitate to donate generously for any cause, particularly a religious one. However, religion has no place in her life. “Ever since my son died, I no longer go to church and pray,” she says.
Another nonagenarian Armenian resident in the city is Nuvart Mehta. Originally from Istanbul, she came to Mumbai on work. “I was working at the American Consulate and they transferred me here,” she recalls. “I came here, met a Parsi man, married him and have not looked back since.” Her love story is unique. A friend had called her over for drinks. However, being very shy around women, he called another friend for moral support. This was Nari, the man she fell in love with and married.

A resident of Colaba, Mehta lives alone but her goddaughter and neighbour takes care of her. Age does not deter Mehta from enjoying life. She gets her driver to take her around the city every day. She even travels to Armenia and recently went to the US for her godchild’s graduation. “I am a member of the Willington Club and go over everyday to read the day’s papers.” She tells you that the number of Armenians in the city has dwindled because many have migrated to Australia where they have many active churches. 

The third Armenian in the city is Ezabella Joshi who lives in Juhu. A resident of Mumbai since 1973, Ezabella came into the city after she married Kishore Joshi. A trustee of the St. Peter’s Armenian Church, she regularly travels all over the world. Her daughter, actress Tulip Joshi, has been baptised an Armenian. Says Tulip: “The Archbishop of Australia came down specially to baptise me. It was also the first time I was in news because it was a big event.” Tulip has visited Armenia many times and loves it because it is “rugged, full of mountains; a very quiet and a beautiful place.” Although baptised, she does not follow any particular religion.

Mumbai holds a very special place in the hearts of all three. “This is a very international city and I love the fact that I have so many friends of so many nationalities,” says Mehta. The city has changed a lot over the years, and now suffers a sense of insecurity, she adds. Eknayan recalls the time when one could walk down the streets of Mumbai at any time of the day. “The city has become so dirty now. Earlier, every morning, the sweepers would come and clean the roads before people began their day.”
For Rosie Eknayan, Nuvart Mehta and Ezabella Joshi, Mumbai has always been home. As Rosie puts it: “Yeh Mumbai humari hai”.
l_joanna@dnaindia.net