A Fitting Tribute — A Review

‘A Fitting Tribute’ is an engaging recapitulation of the historical origins of five generations of

a family, and its gradual and well-deserved rise to social eminence. The book provides for an
interesting and informative excursion into a time period spanning almost 150 years and cutting
across five continents. It diligently and honestly traces the contours of destinies evolving within an
ambience of ambitiousness, enterprise, and purposefulness that, on a few occasions, though, gets
diminished by the sheer inevitability of human indiscretions. At the core of the saga, however, is a
prolific father-son relationship — the third and fourth in the generations’ hierarchy, respectively —
that embraces within its wingspan a family culture notable for its sense of amity, dedication, and
harmony. And, as it further engulfs the commonality of professional interests — architectural design
and engineering — that bonding virtually translates into a mastermind alliance, generating an
impressive portfolio of landmark designs.

The book, simultaneously, brings into perspective the religious identity of the Bohra
community, particularly the way in which it finds an expression of unwavering allegiance to its
spiritual leader — the Dai-al-Mutlaq. Indeed, the author has employed this spiritual lens all too often
to perceive a variety of incidents and events as a consequence of Divine intervention invoked
through the Intermediaries of the times. These narrations are as much remarkable for their
impassioned tone as for their religious appeal.

The beginnings of this saga are characterized by the pioneering efforts of Ali bhai Mulla
Jeevanji (AMJ), the author’s great-grandfather, whose larger than life persona, perhaps, sets the
wider context for the author to be judgmental about attitudes and attributes that either ensure or
deny lasting success. From Calcutta to South Australia, and then from Karachi to Mombasa, AMJ
went about exploiting his business acumen and sheer enterprise to accumulate an enormous
fortune in his lifetime. His sociable nature helped gain inroads into the British colonial elite of the
times, elevating him to privileged positions within the Bohra community and the society at large.
But, at the end of the day, as some quirk of fate, not all his children could benefit from that wealth
and position in equal measures; the fragmentation within the family eventually propelling different
individuals to different destinations. Yousuf Ali Jeevanji, AMJ’s eldest son and the author’s
grandfather, lands in Pakistan where he makes a new beginning.

The author’s recounting is, by and large, defined by moments and eons that encompass his
entire lifetime, and in a great deal of detail. He fondly remembers his early and formative years,
influenced by the careful pampering of his grandparents that lent reassuringly towards helping him
develop a balanced and fulfilling childhood. While the author confesses to being a victim of vaguely
occult forces, his strong religious training helps him avert much severe crises. However, there seems
plenty of evidence that should convince readers of his outstanding academic, professional, and
social achievements — a sort of antithesis to his mildly self-effacing portrayal of himself.

A Fitting Tribute is a perfectly readable book, though, it doesn’t reflect the typical character
of a novel in terms of a continuously evolving plot and a synthesis of characterization. There is a
profusion of individuals who seem to have merited a reference simply because they featured in
some event or occasion. However, as tacitly mentioned earlier, the book focusses on the significance
of religion in nurturing the true potential of Man — in this case with the convictions entirely
vindicated. The last rites of Sheikh Hatim Jeevanji is a stunning piece of evidence to that end. Finally,
the book is also a supreme testimony to the spirit of familial harmony energized by the spirit of
sacrifice and commitment.

The writer of this review has had the privilege of knowing the author for almost fifty years,
and while never being aware of the coming of this book until recently, I have found his style and
spirit in complete consonance with the image of Mustafa Jeevanji that has existed in my mind over
all these years.

Sayed M. Irfan
May, 9th 2023, Karachi