BIB_ID
453910
Accession number
MA 23840.952
Creator
Jhabvala, Ruth Prawer, 1927-2013, sender.
Credit line
Gift of James Ivory, 2021.
Description
1 items (2 pages) ; 26.7 x 20.3 cm
Notes
Year from postmark.
Ruth Prawer Jhabvala's father-in-law, Persian scholar Shavaksha Hormasji Jhabvala, died on June 22, 1971 [see MA 23840.951]. Her mother-in-law, Mehraben S.H. Jhabvala, had died the previous year.
Written while Ivory was in London finishing his documentary on Nirad Chaudhuri, "Adventures of a Brown Man in Search of Civilization" (1972).
Aerogramme addressed to Mr. James Ivory, c/o Mr. Laurence Harbottle, 34 South Moulton St. London W.1, England; postmarked June 1971 (only partially legible).
Ruth Prawer Jhabvala's father-in-law, Persian scholar Shavaksha Hormasji Jhabvala, died on June 22, 1971 [see MA 23840.951]. Her mother-in-law, Mehraben S.H. Jhabvala, had died the previous year.
Written while Ivory was in London finishing his documentary on Nirad Chaudhuri, "Adventures of a Brown Man in Search of Civilization" (1972).
Aerogramme addressed to Mr. James Ivory, c/o Mr. Laurence Harbottle, 34 South Moulton St. London W.1, England; postmarked June 1971 (only partially legible).
Provenance
James Ivory.
Summary
Telling Ivory that Jhab was unable to make it to Bombay in time for his father's funeral, but went a few days later and returned with "many old photographs-- what a handsome, striking woman his mother always was! She dominates every picture-- and some more of his father's books"; listing some of the titles; passing on Jhab's news of Shashi and Jennifer and the "situation" they are currently in-- "The fact is, they're very badly off"; continuing that "Practically all of Shashi's films have been cancelled and there are no new ones. All their money is gone. Shashi again has the reputation-- this I heard from others, not from them-- of being a 'bad luck' star and consequently no-one will touch him"; saying they have seriously been considering selling their property and retiring, and that "Jennifer had a sale of household effects and children's toys," the proceeds of which allowed her to "run the household for a month"; noting that all their hangers-on ["the chamchas"] have left, but many of their friends too-- "Even Narinder-- the faithful (one thought) Narinder!-- has pulled out. Naturally Shashi and Jennifer are bitter and hurt"; suggesting that Ivory write to them if he has time; telling him that her mother saw him on television recently, "all hair and beard," and that he answered intrusive questions "with dignity & intelligence"; describing the departure of the Jhabvala's neighbors the Dudleys, and observing how much she will miss Mrs. Dudley.
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