In Rohit Bal’s work, history meets folklore and mingles with imagination
Rohit Bal returned to the runway to tears and applause two weeks ago after being sent to the hospital due to a heart condition earlier this year. He died this evening at the age of 63.
in short
- Famous Indian designer Rohit Bal passes away at the age of 63
- Affectionately called ‘Gudda’, hair work was synonymous with opulence and grandeur.
- Rohit Bal was suffering from heart disease for a long time.
Two weeks ago, on an unusually pleasant October evening in the capital, the entire audience stood in tears. The man on stage was Rohit Bal; ‘Gudda’, as he was fondly called by everyone, had withdrawn due to ill health.
Earlier this year, she was sent to the ICU in Medanta, Gurugram due to a heart ailment and the fashion world held its breath for Gudda. When Baal came out to receive applause, his audience was left with awe, applause and tears galore. Gudda, the king of the Indian runways, was back.
That was October 13, 2024.
Today, as India celebrates the last phase of Diwali, Rohit Bal left this worldThis is a void that will take some time for the fashion world to fill. Because it is not so easy to step into Gudda’s shoes.
Rohit Bal’s career began in 1986 with his brother Rajeev, before he went on to launch his own independent collection in 1990. Bal was born in 1961 into a Kashmiri Pandit family and called the valley home. A decade after his birth, his family was forced to move out of Kashmir.
In the nearly 30 years that Child has been active in fashion, his work has haunted the house he was forced to move out of. You could see velvet, brocade, intricate embroidery, roses, peacocks; The valley is peeping from every hole.
When Trump visited India in the beginning of 2020. Ivanka chose Rohit Bal for the state dinner at Rashtrapati BhavanThis collection was called ‘Guldasta’. This was another tribute to Bal’s own homeland Kashmir.
In his three decade long career, Rohit Bal has become synonymous with opulence, grandeur, yet refreshing originality of a bygone era. His works were special because of their grandeur. History met folklore and mingled with imagination in his work. Bal’s degree in history from St. Stephen’s came in handy, as did his memories of Kashmir. In his work, Indian tradition stood shoulder to shoulder with modernity, resulting in fashion that was timeless.
There was talk of a turnaround in Baal’s last show. It was a ode to nature, with roses playing the lead role. It was a tribute to change and times. A time in Indian fashion that will never come back. Now that Gudda has said goodbye.
