Pundole Family Tree

This tree of the Pundole family was prepared by Russi Pundole in his own hand.

Here is the first draft of an updated (September 2019) version. Please also see Russi Pundole's notes at the end.

Surat-to-Bombay and Ghadiali-to-Pundole

Jamshedji Edulji and sister Aimai stayed in Surat, whereas the two brothers Nusserwanji and grandfather Dadabhoy left Surat in 1884. Nusserwanji came to Poona and started business of Watchmakers and Jewelers under the name of N. Rustomjee.

Grandfather Dadabhoy came to Bombay and because the street where he stayed in Surat was known as "Pundole ni Pol" he took the name Pundole and dropped Ghadiali.

In 1886 Dadabhoy opened D R Pundole and Sons, Watchmakers and Jewelers in Readymony Mansion, Churchgate Street. After a couple of years, the business was moved to its present site at 360 D. N. Road, Flora Fountain, Bombay.

After papa's demise, Noshir took over the running of the business till Kali's return from the UK in the late 1950's. Repairing and retailing of watches and clocks was terminated and the shop was converted to Picture Framing and Art Gallery, run by sister Naju and Kali. Now the Pundole Art Gallery is run by Kali's son Dadiba and his wife Khorshed.

Tributes paid to Kali by his associates and artist friends:

"Over the years my relationship with Kali was not only of a dealer and promoter, but also of a friend. His inquiring mind questioned me exhaustingly about painting and all its techniques and principles."

"Kali had another quality and that was his complete open-mindedness to people. All in he was not just a trader but one who truly valued and enjoyed art."

"My association with Kali and the Gallery goes back to some dateless time. It was a relationship full of laughter and affection - even in moments of crisis. He was a generous friend who was an art dealer of the old kind which is now a rare breed."

"With Kali's death an era of art promotion based on certain values and convictions has come to an end. We had developed a very close and friendly relationship and his sudden death was a shock to me and I have not been able to overcome it as yet."

“His strength lay in the realization that Art Promotion was not merely a transaction but a tradition that must outlive him."

Name of Ancestor..............Year of Birth (Year of Death)

Grandfather Dadabhoy Pundole..1850 (1915)

Grandmother Baiai……………………………….1858 (1928)

Father Nowroji……………………………………..1882 (1947)

Mother Meherbai…………………………….…..1892 (1971)

Brother Kali……………………………………..….1925 (1990)