Kaali-peeli memories

For Daniel Sequeira

We might have bid goodbye to Premier Padmini kaali-peelis, but memories of and associations with the car live as strong as ever. This writer recalls stories about her grandfather Anthony Karlos D'Lyma serving as the works manager at Kurla's Premier Automobiles Ltd, overseeing the manufacture of Fiats including the Premier Padmini for 31 years.

For Daniel Sequeira from the 1938 Art Deco fuel and service station Karfule in Ballard Estate, his association with the Padmini is far from being a memory, as he continues servicing the car including two kaali-peelis, one owned by Abdul Kareem Karsekar and the other by Raees Ahmed. mid-day had recently reported that Sequeira offered the two cabbies free servicing for their taxis last weekend. Over a phone call, Sequeira had revealed that Ahmed and he were on their way to the station for the servicing.

"We were in Colaba and decided to stop to take pictures of Raees and his Padmini by a street photographer who prints out the pictures on the spot, so Raees can keep them," he shared, adding that he plans to finish servicing it with a good polish. "As old as they are, these taxis won't break down because the owners own the tricks that work for their cars to get them up and running. They have been driving them for years. It's cool to see their connection with these cars. Apart from the taxis, we have about five regular customers who own Fiats and come to the station to get them serviced. One is a Padmini called Patsy," Sequeira signs off.

Lovers' paradise

Jayu Darukhanawala, 63, automobile chronicler
Taxis were introduced in Mumbai for the first time in India by Vithal Balkrishna Gandhi. The idea to introduce a common means of transport came from the London taxi. The striking yellow colour distinguished it from other cars. So, Gandhi decided to retain the yellow on the top and give the rest of its body a dark shade owing to the city's dusty roads. Hence, the name, ‘kaali-peeli'.

In the beginning, Premier Padmini taxis were hired only by affluent people, primarily businessmen. Soon, it became a lifestyle, thanks to Bollywood. These models were featured in so many movies shot in the city that they became a quintessential part of Mumbai. Then began the romance of the general public in these cars. When young couples wouldn't have access to any other spot, they would hire one of these, say from Dadar to Fort, and go on a romantic city ride. Of course, those people are now around my age, and probably grandparents. These models were also of a time when the cab drivers would love their cars. Every time we'd get into one, there'd be a sense of safety, hospitality and warmth. And every time we'd get down at the destination, the drivers would stop with us to wipe their car and make it look fresh and ready to serve their next customer.

Meter on Mumbai

Murzban F Shroff, author, Breathless in Bombay
Breathless in Bombay is the story of many lives, many aspirations, and the emotive issues that affect lives and livelihoods in the city. The starting point for the book was to explore the heritage trades of Bombay, which could turn extinct in the face of growing consumerism and modernism. It is Bombay by foot, by train, by Victoria, by taxi; journeys that deliver a sense of realisation and, more importantly, a sense of empathy. The whole idea of using an exterior meter on the cover was to show its singularity, its uniqueness as a metaphor. The meter often symbolised the mood of the cabbie - whether he wanted to ply or not, or whether he had a preferred destination in mind. But, of course, as always, the city has its own plan for its citizens.

One and only

Raees Ahmed with his kaali-peeli. Pic courtesy/Daniel Sequeira

Raees Ahmed, 47, taxi driver and mechanic
I bought my kaali-peeli nearly two years ago. I have driven only Fiat models for the past 20 years of driving cabs. And when I got a chance to get my hands on a completely exhausted Premier Padmini, the mechanic in me jumped at the chance to make it new as always. And even though I have a permit to use the car only till November 23, I guarantee you that if you sit in my taxi, you will not feel like it's a 2003 model. It still has a lot of life in it.
I feel like a star in my Padmini. Each time I take it out, nearly five to six people approach me for selfies or take down my number. It is especially attractive to foreigners. If they see this taxi on the road, they will leave their ride and race towards it; call their relatives abroad and tell them how marvellous it is that to still spot this model in India. It is a beauty spot of the city. Amid the many calls from reporters and people willing to get their last ride in this taxi, I got a call from Daniel Sequiera, owner of a servicing and fuel centre in Ballard Estate, willing to get this car serviced for no cost at all.

Be taxi-cool

Hand-scultpted kaali-peeli model

1 VT Station - Bombay (12x12 inches, kaali-peeli oil on canvas art by Mahesh Karambele)
Log on to rhythmartgallery.com
Cost Rs 15,500

2 Terracotta clay, hand-sculpted kaali-peeli model
Log on to kinstudios.com
Cost Rs 1,299

Pics courtesy/Instagram

3 Male round neck half sleeve Mumbai taxi t-shirt in five colours
Log on to roadsofmumbai.blinkstore.in
Cost Rs 599

4 Maai Mumbaai unisex cotton T-shirt
Log on to sensibletshirts.com
Cost Rs 499

5 Mumbai taxi stickers
Log on to redbubble.com
Cost Rs 150 onwards

6 Grey kaali-peeli t-shirt
Log on to swagmeradesi.com
Cost Rs 599