In the surreal yet simple world of Albless Bungli, in the heart of India’s most cosmopolitan city, with the chanting of ancient Zorastrian prayers, friends and family bid adieu to India’s foremost legal luminary — Nani Palkhivala.

The 82-year-old Mr Palkhivala passed away on Wednesday evening following complaints of uneasiness, which were followed by a massive cardiac arrest. As per the simplistic traditions of the parsee community, Mr Palkhivala’s body was placed in Albless Bungli, where at 7:40 am, dastoors or parsee priests began their recitations of prayers and verses from the gathas in the traditional payadast ritual.

As mourners, some dressed in pristine white and others in pale pastels, prayed for the departed soul and contemplated his life, priests recited prayers to ease the journey of the departed soul.

"He will be missed," said a stoic Ratan Tata, chairman of the Tata Group, who was amongst the congregation of mourners. "I knew him well. He was an eminent lawyer and did a lot for India. He was a forward looking man and one of great integrity. We have lost one of India’s greatest sons," said Adi Godrej, chairman, Godrej Group. "A democrat par excellence, an up-holder of fundamental human rights, a great crusader and above all a great friend — he will be missed," said a visibly moved Bakul Patel, former Mumbai sheriff.

Others who were present were eminent lawyer PR Vakil, Trent managing director Tata Group, Noel Tata and Trent chairperson Simone Tata.