Jini Dinshaw birth anniversary: 'Miss Jini would often teach students for free'

A dated photograph of Jini Dinshaw

It is a humid Sunday afternoon at the Alexandra Girls' English Institution in Fort as conductor Ernst Hoetzl guides The Bombay Chamber Orchestra (BCO) through a Mozart Requiem. Poignant, especially as Hoetzl will be leading the orchestra, alongside the Cathedral Choir, into their first performance in the post-Jini Dinshaw (1930-2025) period.

Since 1962, Dinshaw, or ‘Miss Jini' to her students, has been synonymous with The BCO. It was her determination, resourcefulness, and guidance that kept it going. Her passing in 2025 marked a run that saw the Orchestra become the oldest in the country. "She was... something," recalls Alannah Fernandes, violinist, who was once tasked with playing the cello in an emergency.

(From Left) Jini Dinshaw during her days in London; Dinshaw teaches a group of students; British High Commissioner to India Sir Robert Wade-Gery presents the MBE to Jini Dinshaw in 1985. Pics Courtesy/JINI DINSHAW'S PRIVATE COLLECTION

"When she asked you to do something, you did it," Fernandes says. This was not just for the novices. "My children were Jini's students first. My instrument is the piano. But when the orchestra needed someone on percussion, the timpani, Jini asked me to step in. That's how I joined the orchestra," Bomi Billimoria recalls.

Between working on the music, and overseeing proofs of the coffee table book on the founder that will be released at the concert, orchestra seniors and committee heads Freddy Dinshaw, Bomi Billimoria, Alaric Diniz, and Zubin Behram-Kamdin sit down for an Arts Adda.

The orchestra rehearses for the memorial concert at the Alexandra English School; (inset) an orchestra member plays the French horn during the rehearsal. Pics/Atul Kamble

Excerpts from the interview

How would you define the legacy of Jini Dinshaw?
Alaric Diniz: The key legacy she left behind is her passion for music and inclusiveness; very often, teaching students for free.

Freddy Dinshaw: She was an indomitable woman, and would not tolerate any nonsense. With that in mind, she kept pushing against the odds teaching students in multiple instruments.

Ernst Hoetzl (right) conducts the orchestra. Hoetzl was first invited by Jini Dinshaw to lead the orchestra in 1986. He has conducted her as concert master, cellist, and a viola player over the course of 40 years

This educational set-up is what makes the BCO different…
Alaric Diniz: According to me, she provided, through the structure and network of the orchestra, an avenue for teachers to teach and for students to learn. This ecosystem is self-sustaining.

Behram-Kamdin: In Europe or America, every town or college has a local orchestra. Here, the BCO helps bring people together, teach, and promote Western Classical music which is still viewed as a hobby for the few.

Bomi Billimoria and Alaric Diniz

In her absence now, how does the orchestra cope with the change?
Bomi Billimoria: I don't think anything changes. Jini's absence will be felt. But there are youngsters who have worked with her and have now become a part of the institution and its functions.

This requires an infusion of new blood. Is the view of Western Classical as a niche or high art changing?
Billimoria: I am particularly encouraged by the recent past. We have more youngsters joining in, and attending concerts. There is also more diversity.

Diniz: Music is a language. Once you know the basics, you can choose to write poetry or prose. We have performed everything from ABBA to Mozart, with choirs, soloists, and international orchestras.

The cello section of the BCO rehearses an arrangement

In that case, if there is one philosophy of Jini Dinshaw's that you would like to carry forward?
Billimoria: Perseverance. Her will to never give up. But going forward, we need to ensure that the local enthusiasm for the orchestra remains vibrant. This will continue the tradition.

Diniz: I hope she will still appreciate the quality of our playing. She remained a teacher to the end. We are doctors, lawyers, engineers, among the orchestra, but she never let our standards dip. We hope to continue that.

‘She was the queen of the BCO'

My first interaction with her was as a young pianist. I was performing at the Little Theatre in NCPA back in 1985. She later asked me if I would like to perform with the Orchestra. In 1986, I conducted the BCO for the first time. This is my 40th year with them.

Freddy Dinshaw and Zubin Behram-Kamdin

Her legacy is that she enhanced the interest in Western Classical Music in the city. She was the integrative power of the BCO. We can compare her to Queen Elizabeth II. An institution by herself. But the monarchy continues.

- Ernst Hoetzl, guest conductor, BCO

Timeline of the Orchestra

>> 1962
Jini Dinshaw returns from London and establishes The Bombay Chamber Orchestra.

>> 1984
The Orchestra performs alongside the Milan Opera Company on The Marriage of Figaro. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi attends the last show, days before her assassination.

>> 1985
BCO is the first Indian orchestra to perform for the televised live ballet, Giselle by the Royal Ballet Co of the United Kingdom.

>> 1985
Jini Dinshaw receives an Member of Order of the British Empire MBE

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