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Bird in a Banyan Tree : My Story
Fashion designer, entrepreneur, restaurateur, social worker, agony aunt, visionary, socialite—many labels have been applied to Bina Ramani. But what is her real story? From arriving as a refugee child in India during Partition to having Binatone, a successful electronics brand, named after her; from a nine-year-old sitting on her favourite black rock, watching the waves and weaving dreams in Mumbai, to a passionate relationship with screen idol Shammi Kapoor; from a loveless marriage and a bitter divorce, to opening her own stores and changing the face of Delhi’s Hauz Khas Village; from searching for her daughters across continents, to being taken in police custody and sent to Tihar Jail for being a stubbornly honest witness; from being vilified by the media to being lauded by the country for her heroic role in the Jessica Lal murder case—in this inspiring, no-holds-barred memoir, Bina tells it all.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2013
2 people are currently reading
36 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 21, 2014
A child born into wealth, a happy childhood, growing up in London, being wooed by none other than Shammi Kapoor, one can call Bina Ramani’s life a fairy tale. But no matter how beautiful the moon looks on a crystal clear night, it has spots on it. Bina Ramani’s life is far from perfect; it is a life lived with grit and determination. There is love, failure, heartbreak and most important, comebacks.
The book begins on a bleak note in the courts of Delhi, the day she was transported to Tihar Jail following the Jessica Lal murder case. She rewinds to her growing up years in a traditional Sikh family in Bombay, where boys were groomed to be heirs to the business and girls to be married off. After school, she was sent off to Lady Irwin College in Delhi to study home science as befitted a rich girl. After a year, they shifted to London and their business thrived. Though London brought her close to the modern world, yet the focus at home was completely on being a homemaker.
The book candidly talks about the Kapoors and her romantic liaison with the then heartthrob of the silver screen – Shammi Kapoor. She ended up marrying Andy Ramani and moving to San Francisco. Her marriage of 13 years with Andy Ramani was far from perfect. Dealing with his abusive behaviour, handing over 80 percent of her income to him, and raising two daughters single-handedly, she faced it all before calling it quits. It is here she says that we Indian woman are groomed to believe in a happily ever after scenario. Our self-images are built on it and we have nothing else to hold on to. Thus, we accept a man no matter what he does.
The divorce did not come easily. It took four years in the courts of Delhi, Mumbai and New York and it was only when Ram Jethmalani stepped in that the divorce papers came through. Bina had to almost kidnap her daughters from New York and get them back to Sanawar School to give them an education; otherwise their father was ready to put them in a local public school in Yonker, a low-income neighbourhood in New York. She did it all even though she was diagnosed with cancer, which she miraculously survived after a surgery.
She settled in Delhi and began her struggle as a fashion designer, putting ‘Hauz Khas’ village together as a hub for artist and artisans. She describes her meeting with George whom she finally married. As life seemed to settle down, one fine night Jessica Lal is killed in her restro-bar. Then began seven years of struggle.
This book is a living testimony of her never-dying spirit and a reminder that life comes with trials and tribulations but there is always a way out. Not to forget it gives a glimpse to the who’s who in the world map – from Richard Gere to Indira Gandhi. An inspiring book and a recommended read. You will definitely look at your life a little differently. This is the promise the book carries.
For more reviews You can go to http://paromitabardoloi.blogspot.in/p...
The book begins on a bleak note in the courts of Delhi, the day she was transported to Tihar Jail following the Jessica Lal murder case. She rewinds to her growing up years in a traditional Sikh family in Bombay, where boys were groomed to be heirs to the business and girls to be married off. After school, she was sent off to Lady Irwin College in Delhi to study home science as befitted a rich girl. After a year, they shifted to London and their business thrived. Though London brought her close to the modern world, yet the focus at home was completely on being a homemaker.
The book candidly talks about the Kapoors and her romantic liaison with the then heartthrob of the silver screen – Shammi Kapoor. She ended up marrying Andy Ramani and moving to San Francisco. Her marriage of 13 years with Andy Ramani was far from perfect. Dealing with his abusive behaviour, handing over 80 percent of her income to him, and raising two daughters single-handedly, she faced it all before calling it quits. It is here she says that we Indian woman are groomed to believe in a happily ever after scenario. Our self-images are built on it and we have nothing else to hold on to. Thus, we accept a man no matter what he does.
The divorce did not come easily. It took four years in the courts of Delhi, Mumbai and New York and it was only when Ram Jethmalani stepped in that the divorce papers came through. Bina had to almost kidnap her daughters from New York and get them back to Sanawar School to give them an education; otherwise their father was ready to put them in a local public school in Yonker, a low-income neighbourhood in New York. She did it all even though she was diagnosed with cancer, which she miraculously survived after a surgery.
She settled in Delhi and began her struggle as a fashion designer, putting ‘Hauz Khas’ village together as a hub for artist and artisans. She describes her meeting with George whom she finally married. As life seemed to settle down, one fine night Jessica Lal is killed in her restro-bar. Then began seven years of struggle.
This book is a living testimony of her never-dying spirit and a reminder that life comes with trials and tribulations but there is always a way out. Not to forget it gives a glimpse to the who’s who in the world map – from Richard Gere to Indira Gandhi. An inspiring book and a recommended read. You will definitely look at your life a little differently. This is the promise the book carries.
For more reviews You can go to http://paromitabardoloi.blogspot.in/p...
May 20, 2014
This is a mesmerizing journey of an exceptionally creative, intelligent, and beautiful woman, who, from an early age is beset by restlessness.
She wants to experience every nook and cranny of life even those leading to the most desperate of circumstances. Her joy at the sound and fragrance of unexpected rain on the first night of her captivity in Tihar jail leaves one in awe of her spirit. Instead of being reduced to hopeless surrender in the most terrifying of of prisons, she experiences a spiritually enlightened moment.
From growing up in the lap of luxury, she finds herself transported to dark depths only because she chose the path of integrity as a witness in India's most sensational murder case. She stood by her convictions against the most devious odds.
She walks you through her life with innocent candour, conjuring up vivid images and emotions with her words. She takes you by the hand to the most sacred of spaces like the black rock by the sea where she weaves her dreams in frothy waves, to the sinister shed where she is led to await her fate among dreaded criminals. From an intimate visit to Yoko Ono's apt where Ms Ono opens her heart to the author wanting her to arrange a trip for her to Benares, to the ancient Hauz Khas Village which she transforms into Delhi's most chic hot spot for fashionistas on Google's 'must visit' site.
Page after page unfolds soul stirring circumstances that every woman could relate to and then perhaps not. The trepidation of relationships, the moments of passion and heartbreak, of dashed hopes and unexpected rewards, reveals, above all, an affirmation of her unshakeable faith in God and his elusive plans.
The journey of this remarkable woman is beautifully told in this 'unput - downable' book giving me hope that her story is far from over. I, for one, am waiting for a deliciously soul- stirring sequel. A must read! I give it 5 stars.
She wants to experience every nook and cranny of life even those leading to the most desperate of circumstances. Her joy at the sound and fragrance of unexpected rain on the first night of her captivity in Tihar jail leaves one in awe of her spirit. Instead of being reduced to hopeless surrender in the most terrifying of of prisons, she experiences a spiritually enlightened moment.
From growing up in the lap of luxury, she finds herself transported to dark depths only because she chose the path of integrity as a witness in India's most sensational murder case. She stood by her convictions against the most devious odds.
She walks you through her life with innocent candour, conjuring up vivid images and emotions with her words. She takes you by the hand to the most sacred of spaces like the black rock by the sea where she weaves her dreams in frothy waves, to the sinister shed where she is led to await her fate among dreaded criminals. From an intimate visit to Yoko Ono's apt where Ms Ono opens her heart to the author wanting her to arrange a trip for her to Benares, to the ancient Hauz Khas Village which she transforms into Delhi's most chic hot spot for fashionistas on Google's 'must visit' site.
Page after page unfolds soul stirring circumstances that every woman could relate to and then perhaps not. The trepidation of relationships, the moments of passion and heartbreak, of dashed hopes and unexpected rewards, reveals, above all, an affirmation of her unshakeable faith in God and his elusive plans.
The journey of this remarkable woman is beautifully told in this 'unput - downable' book giving me hope that her story is far from over. I, for one, am waiting for a deliciously soul- stirring sequel. A must read! I give it 5 stars.
June 10, 2014
Unlike other readers I was not expecting too many pages on jassica lal case. I was looking forward to an inside story of bina ramani's life which is beautifully expressed in the book. Right from her family coming to Bombay as refugees after the partition, moving to Delhi for higher education, her affair with shammi kapoor then shifting to London and moving to US after marriage which really didn't work,her emphatic writing style has turned the book into a literary piece.
As you turn down the pages you will find big names mentioned in the book that have played a significant role in her life. Though the book is kind of slow in places but I loved the way she has expressed her attraction with the ocean and sea waves and the reason for the title
'A bird in a banyan tree'.
Bina ramani who has worked with Taj group been a socialite, restaurant owner, fashion designer, social worker, apart from all this she has a darker side to it. Born and brought up in a rich and happy family she still had to struggle to achieve her dreams. After giving up on what she actually wanted to do many times , it took her many years to stand up for herself against her family with such hardbound mentality. Also I saw jassica lal murder case through a different angle and how negatively she has been portrayed in the movie 'no one killed Jessica'. Author crosses every hurdle that comes her way and how these obstacles have shaped her are mentioned in some of the the last chapters of the book. All in all a good book indeed.
As you turn down the pages you will find big names mentioned in the book that have played a significant role in her life. Though the book is kind of slow in places but I loved the way she has expressed her attraction with the ocean and sea waves and the reason for the title
'A bird in a banyan tree'.
Bina ramani who has worked with Taj group been a socialite, restaurant owner, fashion designer, social worker, apart from all this she has a darker side to it. Born and brought up in a rich and happy family she still had to struggle to achieve her dreams. After giving up on what she actually wanted to do many times , it took her many years to stand up for herself against her family with such hardbound mentality. Also I saw jassica lal murder case through a different angle and how negatively she has been portrayed in the movie 'no one killed Jessica'. Author crosses every hurdle that comes her way and how these obstacles have shaped her are mentioned in some of the the last chapters of the book. All in all a good book indeed.
October 27, 2015
I met Bina on my travels in India and really loved her book. Captivating life story.
January 16, 2019
It's a fun, shallow and racy read, I enjoyed it. Not much reflection or self awareness though. Admittedly, the author is no writer. Still I was expecting some note of introspection, for instance awareness of her ultra-privileged upbringing and lifestyle or even the colour of her skin she mentions in passing , all of which allowed certain opportunities closed to most of the rest of the country . Also no mention of how her parochial life linked to occurrences in the country or the rest of the world.
February 12, 2015
This book - and the ride and the journey it takes the reader through- is more fascinating than a lot of fast-paced, racy fiction I have read.
For those who have never visited Delhi or Hauz Khas village-- google around and read up on what's Hauz Khas village (HKV) or watch some youtube videos about it-- Before reading my review further.
Bina Ramani is a designer and social figure in Delhi who evokes mixed reactions- but even whose worst critics acknowledge her role in building Hauz Khas village into what it is today.
I picked up this book mainly because I love HKvillage(HKV). I was curious to know more about how it came about and the life of the person credited for it's evolution.
While reading this book, I could sense the sheer effort Ms Bina Ramani had put into crafting it and weaving the words together. Her autobiography was more engrossing than many novels I have read - and I do read a lot.
The the larger than life characters (from yesteryears bollywood stars Shammi Kapoor and Raj Kapoor to Mrs Indira Gandhi to the kingmaker Godman Chandraswami), the whirlwind pace, the twists and the global saga that she paints with words is more engrossing than any Sidney Sheldon or Harold Robbins or Danielle Steele novel - and the best part is that it is all true - as attested by media reports and news articles and changes she produced on the ground.
Read this book and you will be delighted- for the inside information it shares about Ms Ramani's side of the story but even more than that for the ride and the journey it takes you through.
For those who have never visited Delhi or Hauz Khas village-- google around and read up on what's Hauz Khas village (HKV) or watch some youtube videos about it-- Before reading my review further.
Bina Ramani is a designer and social figure in Delhi who evokes mixed reactions- but even whose worst critics acknowledge her role in building Hauz Khas village into what it is today.
I picked up this book mainly because I love HKvillage(HKV). I was curious to know more about how it came about and the life of the person credited for it's evolution.
While reading this book, I could sense the sheer effort Ms Bina Ramani had put into crafting it and weaving the words together. Her autobiography was more engrossing than many novels I have read - and I do read a lot.
The the larger than life characters (from yesteryears bollywood stars Shammi Kapoor and Raj Kapoor to Mrs Indira Gandhi to the kingmaker Godman Chandraswami), the whirlwind pace, the twists and the global saga that she paints with words is more engrossing than any Sidney Sheldon or Harold Robbins or Danielle Steele novel - and the best part is that it is all true - as attested by media reports and news articles and changes she produced on the ground.
Read this book and you will be delighted- for the inside information it shares about Ms Ramani's side of the story but even more than that for the ride and the journey it takes you through.
July 15, 2014
The memoir of Bina explains the many aspects of her life. Knowing her personally has given me joy. In reading about her adventures of the many roles she played Bina explains her highlights and struggles and how she achieved a peaceful happy balance.
January 26, 2016
Pathetic book. So pretentious. Don't waste your time reading it.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews