The Billiards room chronicles

 Behind the Swing Doors: The Billiards Room Chronicles

I spent 20 years at The Bishop’s School, Pune (1981–2001), and among the many pastimes that kept us occupied, billiards was a special one. Bishops was one of the rare schools to have a proper billiards table—old but well-maintained. We considered ourselves lucky to have it, though the room itself had an eerie charm, especially at night.

Having been skilled at carrom, I took to billiards naturally, much like a duck to water—or rather, a cue ball to a pocket. Many of the senior teachers were seasoned players, and I picked up the nuances of the game from them. Names like Max Fletcher, Denzil Innis, William Daniell , Rodney Barrow, Kline Aitkins, Allen Seymour, Michael Gomes, and Eugene Pope come to mind.

Getting a game was tough, especially between 4 to 7 PM—the prime-time rush. The moment the final bell rang, some masters who had strategically waited in the room during the last period would take the first shot before anyone else could even step in! We were crazy about the game, and heated debates over tactics, shots, and rules were a daily affair. Arguments over the validity of a cushion shot or the perfect angle of a bank shot could get intense.

Saturdays and Sundays were prime time. If our wives ever wanted to find us, they knew exactly where to look. Games started as early as 9 AM and carried on throughout the day. Some masters grew so attached to their favorite cues that they started taking them home—presumably to “protect” them from others. That was highly annoying, especially when you reached for a cue only to find it missing!

Most of the rules were followed—no eating, no drinking, no damaging the cloth—but a few artistic liberties were taken with smoking. Some masters and players would casually take a puff even while playing, much to the amusement of others as the smoke drifted into their eyes mid-shot.

I often practiced late in the evening—either with someone to play against or alone. The silence of the room, the dim lighting, and the occasional creak of the swing doors made it feel eerie, especially on weekends. Some swore they felt someone watching from the large windows!

Even the Headmaster, Mr. Ringrow, would occasionally walk in and take a few shots, as would Mr. Roberts. On a few occasions, I invited my relative, Joey Fernandes, a true master of the game and a champion in his own right. Watching him play was an education—I picked up invaluable tips from him, and my game improved significantly.

Even the Master’s on duty ( MOD)  couldn’t resist. They’d slip in for a quick game, pretending to be “observing” if anyone checked. Senior boys often sneaked into the room just to watch the masters in action, soaking in the skill and strategy. On some nights, games stretched as late as 10 PM, with only the dim lights and the occasional creaking of the swing doors keeping us company.

After much persuasion, we finally convinced Mr. Roberts to re-cloth the table, possibly using funds from the fete raffle. The irony? Once it was in pristine condition, interest waned, and the room fell into quiet neglect—perhaps left to the spirits that always seemed to be watching from the windows.

William Daniell 

Alan Seymour 

Joseph Fernandes 

Audrey Fernandes 

Neville Darukhanawalla 

Christine Barrow Weltzien 

Jean Roberts 

Ryan Innis 

The Bishop's School, Pune 

The Bishop's School Alumni 

The Bishop's School Alumni Association 

The Bishop's School, Camp, Pune