High priestesses of society

With the passing away of Parmeshwar Godrej — the society party hostess supremo — tabloids are sighing that it is the end of a grand era. That it certainly is! Her parties were inimitable in scale and drama. From the guest list to the ambience to the flair and élan. Her panoramic formula for the ‘great grand party’ where her mirrored walls reflected multi-tiered crystal chandeliers and art by the masters, while she sashayed in her sensuous lame gowns and jumpsuits ensuring that everyone was having the time of their life.

It was Parmeshwar herself who transported the evening to a dreamlike experience with her persona — clad in suave and elegant couture. The afternoon soirees had the hostess — in her signature beret — orchestrating the party to a picture-perfect do of impeccable entertainment.

She had the ‘mostest’ at her beck and call and she certainly knew how to bring it all together. What everyone who has been her guest will never forget is her individual attention. I still remember her warmth and graciousness, and parties post Parmesh may not easily cross the bar set by her and even Sunita Pitamber, her arch rival. It is an era gone by.

Mumbai is a city that works hard and parties hard. As the financial and movie biz capital, it has its tycoons and mega Bollywood stars that make it the ‘party capital’ of India. I’ve been to some truly notable ones, and here are some people that make the most memorable list for me.

Zarine Khan, the warm hostess with the mostest loving family, has parties that rock unto the wee hours at her exquisitely done up Juhu bungalow. What I find extra special is how her full family joins in, spreading graciousness and warm hospitality.

Zarine is a master at presenting her characteristic menu that is often drawn from husband Sanjay Khan’s family repertoire of Persian and Mughlai fare, blended with her own Parsi favourites that guests look forward to. Just this weekend at a dinner at her home for a sheikh, no sooner was dinner announced than every guest promptly went to her table directly where a delectable feast was served in the best china, and the table dressed with elegant candelabras and exquisite cutlery and glassware.

At another such dinner, a sheikh from the UAE had jumped into the pool fully clothed, followed closely by Gauri Khan and her husband Shah Rukh Khan, and soon even Zarine and Sanjay were pulled in, champagne glasses in hand, and everyone laughing uproariously! Such joie de vivre makes for an unforgettable evening.

Apart from the Bollywood set, her guest list includes society A-listers, politicians and international personalities. And it is all enhanced by a star hostess with warmth and a sharp eye for detail, son Zahid playing the DJ, and daughter Farah Khan Ali’s photographic skills making everyone strike a pose.

Gauri Khan is acclaimed for her dos as an accomplished host using her beautiful interiors, her flair and her husband’s charisma as assets to throw some of the best orchestrated parties. Her Id dinner parties are a talking point and the larger than life bungalow ‘Mannat’ adds to the aura of it all.

Twinkle Khanna, known for being Akshay Kumar’s strongest asset, is an ace at hosting stylish intimate dinners for friends and business associates. It is known that he is proud to call his acquaintances and associates home rather than at a five star venue, and his gorgeous mother-in-law Dimple has a reputation for style and elegant entertaining as she adds to the evenings that are said to be low profile and small dinners.

Deepak and Smita Parekh’s parties — especially their special themed Christmas parties — are nothing if not enchanting. They stand tall in the party circuit and their Christmas brunch is famed as a splendorous afternoon that stretches into the evening with the cuisine starting with aakuris and a plethora of egg preparations extending to croissants and chaats for tea to champagne and caviar sundowners at seven in the evening. Guests fly in from London and New York for this fairytale-like extravaganza that takes over almost the entire Taj Mahal Hotel.

Gautam and Nawaz Singhania’s memorable parties go on and onto the next day — on cruises that waft one away from reality and the bustle and buzz of Mumbai in their luxury yachts. Lazily sailing across calm seas. Every service at hand, attendants in stellar livery circulating with long glasses of colourful cocktails. And of course, the inimitable attention of Nawaz is exemplary. The food always beyond compare leaving guests wondering at the degree of organisation they orchestrate even at sea.

Art of hosting a perfect party Parties aren’t about just the food or the size of the invite. In fact, cards are obsolete and size doesn’t matter!

What makes a memorable glitzy and fashionable party then The absolute joie de vivre of the right people is the winner. A guest list that carefully selects conversationalists, people with chutzpah, society denizens that mingle and create that special buzz.

The décor must be carefully curated at each level with special embellishments. Lighting, flowers, exotic glasses with colorful cocktails. The ambience one of conviviality but not OTT.

Ambience is absolutely the key. It has to be a grand, regal table with sparkling crystal, ornate silver candelabra, gorgeous flowers, big aromatic candles. Exquisite table linen, satin damask, silver cutlery polished to a sparkle and lotus candles, tea lights, and flair that makes it all come together so that everyone present remembers it as a magical memory.

The cutlery, graded wine glasses, chandeliers, organza table linen layered in a two-coloured theme add to the grandeur. Delectable cuisine mixed with comfort food keep the table ‘happening’. And of course, wines and liquor selected with care, and any special requests of say a Jack Daniels or exotic rums, which friends might be fond of.

When you host a special evening, let the word special apply to each aspect of the evening. Plan every little detail in advance and leave nothing to chance.

Then put on your best smile and let the evening rock!