I’d dream of being interviewed by Farooque Shaikh, laughs designer who once rode his favourite horses on his farm

Mumbai: Farooque Shaikh (Rehmatullah Alaih) belonged to a family of zamindars which to this day owns vast stables and farmyards in his native village of Amroli in Vadodara, Gujarat.

In an interview to Karan Thapar for his ‘Face to Face’ series, he had made a striking remark saying horses have an ennobling effect on human beings.

It appears that the effect is mutual. Shaikh Sahab’s gentle warmth and abiding courtesy seems to have rubbed off on his horses who are calm, graceful and well mannered. All are native Indian breeds.

Today Saturday December 28 is Shaikh Sahab’s sixth Remembrance Day. By the Islamic calendar, the day of his passing was 25 Safar 1435.

This is the first time his anniversary occurs on a Saturday, which is the day he departed.

Vadodara based fashion designer Archana Makwana was a rare outsider who was fortunate to visit his farm for a photoshoot in 2006. She rode Shaikh Sahab’s favourite horses and was most impressed by their demeanour.

Archana laughs and says, “I noticed that the horses were extremely well behaved and graceful.” They were amiable and friendly even though she was meeting, and riding, them for the first time. Archana particularly recalls being introduced to Shaikh Sahab’s favourite animal named Salahuddin, who has figured in previous interviews also.

Archana was an upcoming model at the time, barely 19-20 years of age. She says, “A reporter from ‘Baroda Times’, Prerna Shah, coordinated the shoot with Farooqueji’s family. The paper arranged a car for travelling to Amroli which is approximately 90 km from Baroda. That is the only way to get there given that public transport is negligible.”

The shoot lasted through the day and photographer Ranjit Surve’s beautiful pictures were published in the ‘Baroda Times’ edition of 13 June 2006.

Some stills show the pretty Archana’s hair flying in the wind even as the horse’s mane ripples in the breeze. Others are close-ups of the elegant white and brown animal gazing into the camera while the rider looks on fondly.

She was familiar with Shaikh Sahab as a viewer and fan. “I absolutely loved him of course, having watched his films and the TV serial ‘Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai’. Farooque Shaikh gave a calm, peaceful vibe as an actor. Every actor gives off a vibe, and his was serene, pure and beautiful. Especially ‘Jeena…’ where he shone as anchor. I would see the show and believe that it was possible that a person can become successful if one dreams big.”

She laughs and says, “I would hope that maybe he will even interview me like that one day! I wish I had been able to meet Farooqueji.”

Sadly, Shaikh Sahab was not present in Amroli during the shoot so Archana did not get to meet him. “But Farooqueji’s family including his brother and cousin who live there were very hospitable and lovely people. They showed us around the sprawling farmyards and stables and made sure we ate well. The food in their home is so delicious! What struck me was the vast mango orchards whose canopy extended as far as the eye could see. I think that the house where I changed for the shoot was Shaikh Sahab’s own house.”

Archana took pictures with Shaikh Sahab’s relatives, including several children, although it is tough for her to identify them individually.

Archana loved horse riding from an early age. She is a trained rider thanks to her mother who would accompany her and her brother to learn early in the morning when the siblings were still in school.

Archana herself has come a long way in her career. Her USP is crafting embroidery embedded with gemstones which accentuates their healing effect. She runs Archana’s Fashion House and is a certified yoga instructor.

Laughingly, she wishes she could visit Amroli one more time. “Do you think it is possible? I so love those horses, I remember having had such fun on his farm!”