Eating Out

One of Delhi’s much-maligned socialites, jewellery and clothes designer BinaRamani is a pro at public relations. However, of late she has not been able to get thebetter of the hacks. A woman about town, extremely glamorous, hip and happening, Bina hashad a bad run after the Jessica Lal murder at her restaurant, Tamarind Court. Strange thenthat she insisted on having lunch with me at this much in the news scene of crime.

The Tamarind Court is a charming display of earthen pots, greenery and wrought iron. Imarvel at the grand and detailed restoration work of the now famous Qutab Colonnade whichwas at one time nothing but dull grey rubble, a sad picture of disregard and neglect. Binaarrives, subdued in a classic beige saree. “The cook has prepared your favouriteceasar’s salad to be followed with salmon and whole wheat bread,” she sayspausing to negotiate with some craftsmen, her inherent Sindhi business acumen in fullflow. The ceasar’s salad is huge, a meal by itself with pieces of crisp bacon andbrown bread crumbs mixed with fresh lettuce. The dressing is sparse to keep off caloriesbut there is parmesan cheese sprinkled in plenty.

Bina clutches her pallu as a self-protective gesture. “The Jessica murder has changedme as a person and definitely for the better. But how I wish the lesson need not have beenso harsh and cruel,” she says. She recalls how the family had been shunned by mostDelhiites after the murder. “People don’t realise how hard I have worked allthese years, all they identify me with are the glamorous images. I worked hard but I alsowanted to enjoy my short life, what’s wrong with that?” she asks. Obviously,Bina has had to pay a huge price for being the society queen. Recently her daughterMalini’s name figured in the infamous list of clients of cocaine dealer Ali.Ironically Bina has one major regret in her life, that she has not been the ideal mother.“It’s not easy being a single parent after the trauma of divorce. Also, I wastoo young. Today I’d do it much better,” she says.

She recalls her recent trip to the Rajneesh ashram in Pune. “The trip rechargedme. On wearing the orange robe I became nothing, nobody. It was miraculous, as if I hadwiped out the past. I am once more ready to go forward in life.”

The salmon slices are perfect pink and firm served with olive oil in which herbs floatlike tiny specks. The meal reminds me of one trait of the person sitting next to me:whatever she does she really tries so very hard to perfect it. And that’s not an easycalling.