TESTIMONIALS:

“For me, he instilled the love for historic Delhi. He was the inspiration for me to pursue Conservation Studies in my later years. When I began teaching History of Architecture, it was the least sought-after subject. Since that time, today, this has transformed into a very popular teaching subject. Professor Jhabvala, in this sense, not only gave knowledge but inspired both students and teachers. His ability to effortlessly traverse History, Building Construction and Contemporary Architecture is still rare today.”

— Nalini Thakur in ‘Tribute to a Teacher’, LA Journal of Landscape Architecture, Issue 43, 2015

“The first change he brought about was to change the door of his own office. The old solid wood gave way to a fully glazed shutter. The change was symbolic of a new openness. So, decades before administrative ‘transparency’ acquired a fashionable buzz, Jhabvala had innovatively put it in practice. It was a game changing masterstroke: instantly the entire school community could feel his empowering involvement, everyone could experience his cheerful curiosity and stern watchfulness, uplifting and frightening at the same time. Even as students we knew how well he looked after the Department, earning the loyalty and trust of virtually anyone who had the good fortune to cross his path in the three decades. To be other than attentive in his presence was never an option. But what’s fascinating is that he didn’t just hold your attention only for the duration of the class – that is, just long enough to enable the transfer of information about a technique or the rudiments of an observational skill. No, in some way your attention was captured for longer, much longer than that: for the semester, for the whole five years, perhaps for the rest of your life.”

— Mohammed Shaheer in ‘About Jhabvala’, LA Journal of Landscape Architecture, Issue 43, 2015

“My earliest memory of him is at the outbuildings of Fatehpur Sikri where we students, more than twenty of us, along with him, chatting most of the night about what we felt about the complex. For us it was the first visit to Fatehpur Sikri and he made us think as we were building it stone by stone. He was more interested in the details of construction and during the three days we spent there, he got us to sketch and then discuss it during the evenings and late at night. As a professor he had this marvelous ability to make students think for themselves rather than accept any preconceived notions of any architectural theory of design. I do remember that for a house design set in Daryaganj, a student had drawn California foliage as part of the surroundings in the manner of Richard Neutra who was fashionable at the time. Jhabvala’s comment in his dry sardonic manner was to imagine the house in its realistic surroundings – perhaps a bull sitting around a heap of garbage and dangling wires from electric poles as part of the perspective.”

— Raj Rewal, architect and urban design consultant, 2016

“Professor Jhabvala or ‘Jhabu’ as we used to fondly call him, was passionate about architecture and instilled in us students a pride and sense of purpose for our choice in joining this noble profession. He had a tremendous knowledge of building materials and how they worked together. The knowledge that he has passed on to us has served us well throughout our careers. I can say, without any doubt, that whatever I have done in building over my 50+ years as an Architect is a legacy of the teachings of Professor Jhabvala. And, I must add that I had no idea that he could sketch so well until he gifted me with his book  of sketches “Delhi Phoenix City” the time I came to visit him when he was living in his daughter Firoza’s home. It is one of my prized possessions.”

— Somesh Debnath, Architect, Vice President, Anil Verma Associates, 2021

“In college we had great reverence – (and a certain amount of fear) – of Mr. Jhabvala. I clearly recall learning about materials and methods of construction in the 3rd year class taught by him. His  practical approach grounded us in reality, and informed our projects in the Design  Studios. In this period I forged a deep respect for Mr. Jhabvala as an architect and and educator. 

Later, in NYC I really came to know Mr. Jhabvala as a person. We met him often, and I  saw the very kind, understanding and enterprising person he really was. Despite the fact  that he had retired, he continued to be extremely active in the community, doing sketches and paintings and arranging many exhibitions of his works. He initiated the publication of several books of his own drawings and paintings for which the artwork had to be reproduced and organized photographically . These were all very difficult tasks which he undertook when he was well into his retirement. Ultimately this is a testament to his love of architecture and design.  His life should be an inspiration for us all.”

— Rashmi Sen, Sen Architects 2021

“Some teachers touch your life and shape your thinking and attitude to your profession and life in general. Mr. Jhabvala, and he will always be Mr. Jhabvala to me, was one such teacher and tops my list. Many feared him, but to me he was always approachable and willing to help, as long as you were honest. His teaching methods were unique with his use of dry humour to get across to students. Before the days of cut and paste and instant information online, he provoked students to think, to use logic, to explore alternatives before arriving at a solution. Many years later I found that in my teaching, I too, adopted the “Jhabvala system” albeit with less success. “As they say, they don’t make teachers like him anymore!

Dinesh Sareen, Principal , Jasbir Sawhney Architects, 2021