Arvind was born in pre-Independence India in the magnificent city of Bombay- and she was magnificent then. The early loss of his mother (he was all of 4 when it happened), meant that his father, a doctor shipped his sons off to boarding school - Christ Church in Jabalpore, as it was called then. This very ‘propah’ British school left its indelible stamp on his personality and all through his life. Later in adult life, his friends aptly conferred the nickname of ‘Western Ghat’ upon him. Although he was equally at ease at the Supper Club at the Oberoi as he was at a khanaval like AnanthAshram in Girgaum. Or whether it was watching Dara Singh wrestle King Kong at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Stadium in Bombay or Ghanaian Afro-Rock band Osibisa performing live at the same venue!
He spent much of his early working life in media at ad agencies like Interpub, MAA and Ulka. Corporate life wasn’t his cup of tea (always tea for him, never coffee), he would go on to work with a few close friends in what we would certainly call a ‘start-up’ these days. They were 30 years ahead of the world!
It was during this period that he pursued his love and passion for teaching. In the early years and for a good part of his life at XIC (the Xavier Institute of Communication, with the legendary workshops at the Xavier Villa in Khandala) and then of course at Northpoint (Northpoint Centre of Learning) in Khandala. The ‘Western Ghat’ clearly had a natural affinity for the Western Ghats!
He enjoyed working with young minds, moulding them, provoking them and in his own way, counselling them as they prepared for the unknown, on the brink of adulthood.
You would have known him as 'Arvind' or 'Mr Vinayak' or even 'Mr. V'. However you knew him, he was mentor and friend to so many over the years. One minute he'd be shooting a sharp jibe at you (those could hurt), the next he'd be buying you a drink to cheer you up. Always pushing you to 'think'. That was so him.
So often the life of the party, he loved his drink, his music and we loved his moves on the dance floor. He's always lived by his own rules and he's refused to play by the new ones. This world has been a little crazy of late and he's not having any of it. So he's packed his bags one last time and gone to do his magic, wherever he is.
The best way to remember him is to pour yourself one, play some music and say, 'Cheers Mr. V' or 'Mr Vinayak' or 'Arvind'. Be careful now, you can't call him 'Sir', because the Queen hasn't knighted him. Yet.
Cheers Arvind, Cheers Dad.
Always in our hearts, Always in our thoughts, Always with us.
Pat, Vinay, Ayesha & Leia
Late Prakash & Elizabeth | Kishen & Nishitha, Kanishka | Rhea & Jairo
Shekhar & Madhu | Pranay & Dinaz, Aryan | Preeti
Guestbook
There are many things one remembers Mr.Vinayak for but what stands out the most was his passion for teaching. Lessons in advertising (delivered in his characteristic booming voice) were always laced with jokes and any dressing down was followed by a reconciliatory drink and humour. He set the foundation to so many careers in advertising – mine, for sure – but he was also a friend to all and was genuinely interested in the well being of his students. The fact that so many remained in touch with him, decades after passing out of XIC, is testimony to that. I will always remember the drinks at Panchratna and Studio, after class, that I looked forward to as much as his classes. Go well, Arvind Vinayak. Will raise a toast of Old Monk in your memory!
Sorry for your loss. The obituary portrays the life of a human like it should be lived, Enjoyed to the fullest and Help others in need. I am sure hes rejoicing with his family and friends who left before him looking down on his beautiful family. God Bless - Limbuwallas
Adil Limbuwalla sends their condolences.
Very sad to hear of Mr. Arvind's passing away. Our heartfelt condolences to you & the family. May his soul rest in eternal peace. Piloo & Pesi Chacha
My older sister was a student of his, and regaled me with many stories of this wonderful man. When my turn came in 1997 to study under him at XIC, I was initially quite terrified of him fright from the interview. But once you get to know him, it's an entirely different story. I still recall his Vodka with a sliced green chilly "cocktail" which I must admit is one of my favourite! We used to meet occasionally at Ghettos, after I graduated along with his trope of new students. I always admired his passion and commitment to opening up minds by encouraging us to challenge every word. You will fondly be remembered, my friend, my mentor. Cheers and may you rest in peace. Deepest condolences to the entire family.
I remember him from karaoke nights on Monday at Soul Fry in Bombay. While I went once in a while I believe he was a regular at Soul Fry for those karaoke nights. Once I remember on a song me, my friends and Arvind we all danced together. I remember he was always smiling and happy on those karaoke nights. May he rest in peace with some music playing in the background.
Harry Tarjanto sends their condolences.
Oops...Arvind would have corrected my Grammar. It's Vinay, Ayesha, Leia and I (not me), he would have said
I am so moved by what everyone has written and my sincere thanks for sharing with Vinay, Ayesha, Leia and me. But what has been an eye-opener to some extent (at least to me) is the myriad shades Arvind had. Some of which I've discovered right here...and this is after almost 50 years of marriage. Let's all of us celebrate his wonderful life
Happiest in his favourite Goa, made for each other!
My thoughts of Arvind are from the time we met around the time of Ayesha and Vinay's wedding. Having lunches at Wadia Baug and your Dader house. I really enjoyed his crisp sense of humor. I remember him correcting our grammar,even during our normal conversation in his propah style. I always admired his English vocabulary and wondered if he could beat Shashi Tharoor. My best remembrance of him was on your wedding day, dancing soo gracefully with Jeroo, gliding like two lovely swans. I will not say the usual "may his soul rest" as I am sure his soul will rest in peace, for whatever his weaknesses he was a good man. Goolu.
Mr. V, words fail your chatterbox Bawi today....I so regret not being able to make our XIC 96 reunion happen sooner. There were still so many arguments to have, offkey songs to sing and memories to make! Yes, I will still dilute my screwdriver and raise a toast to you, every single time. Rest in eternal peace 🙏🏻🙏🏻 Sincere condolences to the family
Of all the things Arvind taught and said, and there was a great deal of both, one remains etched: Never accept the status quo. And in this journey of life, even when I failed, I took comfort in those five words, since there also were times when you find your spine, and don't. Of all the memories of those halcyon days (damn - halcyon - never ever have I used a word more appropriately), the evenings at Ripon Club's Jazz Evenings stand out. For that's where Arvind showed me the best way to enjoy an Old Monk (well, actually, that was the way he drank it, and I just drank that in!). How to make an Arvind: Tall glass, filled to the brim with ice cubes, large measure of Old Monk, top with soda (Duke's preferably), stir. A few moments of silence, possibly to thanks one's maker for the indulgence of existence, mostly for the drink to settle down. Then a huge sip, and heaven can wait. Till it couldn't. Rest In Peace, Arvind.
👇🏻 Is the Garden of Eden nicer than the Bageecha of Malad?
I believe God, up there, is feeling a bit hot under the collar as he knows he’s got competition there now. Have a ball my dearest friend 🙏🏼 The angels cold do with some of your teaching 🙂
Arvind was a man of great integrity. His impact on my life has been enormous. Arvind had invited me to take a few courses at XIC in 1996. I was a young executive at Lintas in Mumbai at the time. I was an eligible bachelor looking for the woman of my dreams. I discovered her in my XIC class. It was a genuine moral quandary. She was the student, and I was the teacher. I had to keep the decorum that comes with a teacher-student relationship. So I approached Arvind and explained my predicament. When he heard my plea for help, he laughed and chuckled saying that he was asked for many favours in his life, but this one was a first. He graciously offered to assist me in marrying the love of my life. Insia and I owe Arvind a great deal. He spoke with our parents, set up the necessary introductions, and the rest is blissful history for us. Arvind was a man with a very big heart. He has made a positive difference in many people's lives, including ours. May Arvind Vinayak rest in eternal peace. On behalf of my wife Insia and our four wonderful children, I express my heartfelt gratitude to him and our sincere condolences to those that he has left behind.
Maitri Gala sends their condolences.
Thank you so much everyone, for your heartfelt messages and kind words. Your memories with him are invaluable and precious. Thank you for sharing and having him and us in your thoughts. - Pat and Vinay
Nikita S sends their condolences.
My Late wife Mina and I had few encounters with Arvind. I have vivid wonderful memories of every meeting. The best memories were of our weekend at Igatpuri farm. He had mastered how to make 'Margarita'. And I have never had such 'out of the world' drink. Mina enjoyed few dances with him, as I have two left feet! Arvind, had a very cheerful and extremely caring personality. Arvind, will be surely missed. May his soul Rest in Peace. Lots of Love and Hugs to Pat and family. May God give them strength to bear this irreparable loss.
Mukesh Kapadia sends their condolences.
An amazing human being and a lifelong teacher. Thank you for enriching lives of so many of us. Mr. Vinayak, may you rest in peace and continue your sense of humor wherever you are. Vaishali
One of my earliest memories of U. Arvind was being in awe of his vocabulary...... I was convinced he knew the entire dictionary by heart!! I'll remember him for his quick wit & his love for dancing & living the good life!! I'm sure he's already joined the big dance party up there . Lots of love to A. Pat, Vinay, Ayesha & Leia. Thinking of all of you & sending love & strength!
Mr. Vinayak , as we called him at XIC , shaped a bit of each one of us. Sure we have memories.... Panchratna, Khandala, my 1st Old Monk ever with him, him telling me that I wasnt creative and so I better stick to marketing , arguments over final project, etc etc. Yes what lingers.on the most is his Clint Eastwood style of puffing and his gruffness saying "Dutto use your brains". Cheers to the spirit of Arvind Vinayak.
We share the same birthday and it eventually became a running joke to text each other just saying “same to you”. His sense of humor was unique to say the least and I have vivid memories of vacation trips together to the boonies where he would shock villagers by speaking fluent “ghati” Marathi! “Do you dream?” That is a question he often asked me as a teacher. His point was that we must dream. If you can dream it, you can do it. Have big dreams he used to say. “Aim for the stars and you will scale the treetops”. These words of his still ring in my ears and I still practice this every day. Professor. Mr. Vinayak, 5 Star Vinayak, Western Ghat, Arvind, or Osho as some of my batch mates called him, he will be sorely missed. Always missed and never forgotten. Farewell, Rest In Peace and Cheers!
To my teacher that taught me invaluable lessons, I still remember my interview with you for XIC admissions. You asked me what I wanted to be 5 years down and I said “does anybody know what they want to be 5 years down “ - you paused, you smiled and you selected me. Thank you for my most precious memories as an XIC student, for teaching me way more than just advertising, for giving me critical feedback on my very dismal presentation and for giving me the gift of confidence when speaking in public (every time I make an effective presentation I thank you), for silently supporting me when I got ill during your course….a teacher that one doesn’t come across often and that one never forgets. Thank you Mr. V - you will always be remembered fondly. Love - Jasmeen
What an inspiring person Arvind was. As a fellow trainer, I saw him as a role model. I wish I had his listening skills and ability to make others grow. Arvind has left the world a better place. No one could ask for more.
Dear A. Pat, Vinay, Ayesha and Leia, We're deeply saddened to hear about U. Arvind's passing. Sincere condolences to the whole family. May his soul Rest in Peace. We have some fond memories of trips to Goa together at Nagoa. I clearly remember U. Arvind taking us on short hikes at Igatpuri as well. Always one with a quick reply and joke up his sleeve, we will always remember his quick wittedness. A friend of mine was also a student of his and I saw how he was truly adored by all his students. Rest in Peace U. Arvind! Love, Carlyle, Neetu, Anica and Neil
Andy Fernandez sends their condolences.
Carlyle and Neetu Dacosta sends their condolences.
My Dears Pat, Vinay, Ayesh & Leia, It's never easy losing a loved one. My thoughts are with you all and I don't know how and where to begin. My memories take me back when I met Pat and Arvind for the first time at Ayesha's parents house. Since that day I always used to address Arvind as my dance partner. No jokingly, my boy friend. And we had danced at Vinay and Ayesha's wedding to our hearts content. Dancing was what we both enjoyed. I have happy memories of him. May his soul rest in eternal peace 🙏🙏🙏 Love Jeroo
Bhavna Chowdhary sends their condolences.
Simran Duggal sends their condolences.
Simran Duggal sends their condolences.
You live for ever my thin Santa Claus, that’s how I describe you to most of my friends and will continue to do so. With soul the size of an ocean and a mind as wide as surpassing the horizon itself, and a heart which knew every sense wherever you stood, the ground became the world. Professor Vinayak to most, but I was privileged to be allowed to call him by his first name inspite of decades of difference in experience. To my first job, when you proudly waited in the reception to see me, while half the agency was out surprised and greeting you cause they literally revered you. While you elegantly walked out to take me for a treat. Proud of your gait and elegance …. Ever since The “come as you are” party when I decided to leave Bombay, and the finishing the wine bottle while you very subtly convinced me to stay, with your famous one liners etching deep into my mind. To, you being so protective like a father, when your student approached me inappropriately. To never letting me bend, in life for anything including lighting up . To the lunches in your Dadar house, with bizarre WWE and philosophy which was simplistic yet impactful. To crazy Karaoke sessions, Dean Martin and Harry Belafonte and Wilson Pickett. To your happy feet always dancing. To burning the floor where each of us lil ones would ignore the boys and dance with just the gentleman … which was afcourse you. To the bright eyes and proud look you had when I as an lil executive, sat amongst your CEO friends, and spoke marketing. Never told u but more than the conversation the pride in your eyes was over whelming. To the Kerela Trip teaching the businessmen how to do business …. Loadsa jungle, George and broths. To the Showman, crowd moved when you stood up, people listened when you spoke… laughed when u cracked your inevitable jokes and shuddered when u were angry. To the indefatigable spirit. To the small tea parties, we had before I left …. I could go on and on and on ….. so I can never complete writing everything about you…. You can only travel but never leave. Look at how the universe functions, I write this for you on friendship day, I am blessed to have had a person like you in my life, who had space in his heart for all who he considered as a friend. It is an honor. I am incapable of writing and obituary for you, because you can only live forever, in my heart, my soul and some one who’s responsible along the way for my very construct …. As a marketer, as an Individual, as a lady, as a human being. I can never miss you because u have left lil part of you in us… and thankyou for staying back and thank you for being you.
Varnil Gandhi sends their condolences.
He was a rare person, and how delightfully rare! His words were the ones that were needed to be heard, the ones that nobody else had the guts to say. 'Mr V', you ll be missed. I ll think of you everytime I say cheers.
Farewell Arvind, you will be missed. Now that you've gone to the place where water can be turned into wine, where the best Jazz musicians have wings and they serve the best Chateau Briand steaks, you'll wonder why you wasted your time on this shitty planet. Vinay forgot a couple of monikers you were also known by...Phansopkar and Five Star Fred. Simply because of your love for the good life, whether at a 5 star hotel or the local joint.
We will miss you, Bala!
My first hero, taught me the best life lessons. I hope he finds my Mum in heaven for a jive - I think she was blessed to grow up with Pat & be a grown up with Arvind.
AV as we knew him was one of the first people I met along with my then boss DNChopra when I joined advertising industry in early 80's. He knew he was intelligent & always silently observed when you spoke. I never had an opportunity to meet him once he left advertising but we spoke on phone sometimes. When he changed tracks to education one could feel he was very happy interacting, guiding moulding young people. His Joy was palpable. May his soul be happy & peaceful. OM Shanti Shanti Shanti 🙏🏻🙏🏻
I had the honour to be his student, not only at XIC but all thru life....His statement 'Just because you don't know, doesn't mean you cant think' was encrypted on the 1st page of my so called notebook in those days. His satirically cynical remarks may throw you off the chair just to trigger thinking so that you actually challenge your own limited moulds and perceptions. Encouraged me to join business school which I did nd am thankful for who I am today....and am still using the encrypted statement mentioned above while troubleshooting across various spheres of my life. 27 years and still on....Cheers to you Mr Vinayak and rock wherever you are.
Had the privilege of meeting him two weeks ago, for chai, and when asked how he's feeling, he had the usual answer - "top of the world". Always so positive, he never complained about missing out on anything in life. And that's what we tried imbibing when around him. Dear "God", we just hope to meet you again someday, somewhere, somehow, for another quick catch up on the industry-talk. Take care, will always miss you.
Owe so many lessons of life to this man (rather God, as he liked to be called). Everything from how to drink, to how to act and even relationship advice but mostly he thought us to stick to our guns. Thank you Mr. V, would have never made it so far if you wouldn't have shown faith in me.