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Bhicajee Cowasjee

Perhaps best remembered for his range of Aden postcards, which are traded on eBay today, Bhicajee Cowasjee was a significant figure in Aden's business community. He started business in 1871 and built a small empire. Like Cowasjee Dinshaw, Bhicajee was a Parsee.

Bhicajee owned the Shenaz Cinema and Shalimar Dance Bar, which would later be taken over by the Motiwala brothers, grandsons of Bhicajee, who had also taken over the Bhicajee Cowasjee shop in The Crescent.

Arthur John Doig, a Colonel in the Bombay Staff Corps, died testate on 14 July 1888. Colonel Doig was indebted to Bhicajee as evidenced by Doig's will dated 17 December 1881, which resulted in Bhicajee receiving £1,226, 6s. 6d from the estate in partial satisfaction.

In 1961 'Melody Corner' was located in the Cowasjee Dinshaw building with a large sign above the door, "Bhicajee Cowasjee".

 

The firm was owned and run by  about  5 or 6  brothers. It was named after their father and I particularly remember the  excellent toy section in the Steamer Point shop. They also had a shop in Crater and extensive business interests.   They owned the Shenaz cinema and the Shalimar "night club" next door. These businesses were under different ownership when known by their former names the Regal Cinema and Regal Dance Bar. The brothers moved to the Gulf after 1967.             Noshir Patel 2006
 

 

This  page last updated Saturday, 02 August 2008

 

 

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