'Work keeps me going'

Says nonagenarian Khushroo Suntook, Chairman, NCPA while discussing completion of 25 years at the center and other things

- Shruti Pandit

At 90, Mr. Khushroo N Suntook not only heads one of the city’s oldest cultural organisations, the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), but is also actively involved in its day-to-day activities. He has been at the helm of the NCPA for the past 25 years.

Coming from a family of lawyers, studying law was a natural progression for Khushroo N Suntook and briefly worked with his father. Following which, he was among the patrons behind bringing the first company in India to market mineral and bottled water, Bisleri. “Bisleri originally belonged to an Italian family, and I was the one who eventually sold it to the Chauhan's in fact, the deal was struck over a tennis game,” recalls Mr. Suntook with a smile. Khushroo N Suntook soon joined Tata Sons, where he held several roles across group companies. “I started with Lakmé. It was fun and challenging,” he recalls. “In those days, we were the leading brand in Eastern Europe and Russia. Lakmé became so popular in Russia that it was humorously said that you couldn't even get a Bolshoi ticket without a Lakmé lipstick.” he reminisces.

From Lakme it was TOMCO, Tata Finance and several other companies under the Tata umbrella as a Director. “It involved a lot of travelling... all these jobs. But I enjoyed the challenges that they brought. It was JRD Tata's vision, who was the leader and the driving force then. One looked forward to each day at work and new challenges it brought.”

“At Bombay House, Dr. Jamshed Bhabha sat two floors above me, and we would regularly have discussions about music. Often, he sought my opinion on whom to invite to the NCPA for a concert. He was a family friend and knew about my keen interest in music, especially Western classical.”