Rohit Bal, the mortal with immortal sensibilities

Roht Bal. Gudda. Gudda is what we called him, Rohit Bal was his official name, the person and legend who’s passing the world will mourn for posterity. I first found him in my life at the tender age of 14. Tender and afraid to even live and exist as a gay man in India without any icons who were out. Gudda gave me comfort and solace, a sense of belonging and the ability to have lofty dreams and a voice. That was the man, the human, the friend, the designer, the brother, the son, that I have celebrated over the last 38 years. Gudda was a family man, a man spoilt with an abundance of loving care, generous support, complete indulgence by his doting family and very loyal friends.
It isn’t easy to be famous and not let fame get to your head, but Gudda made it seem easy and very doable. That peerless magnanimity wasn’t a fluke, it was generational and familial, as I have seen it in his siblings, nieces and nephews, and tasted and enjoyed firsthand at his home through the love I got from his amazingly beautiful and kind mother. The Kashmiriyat, the one where there’s no other, where all must be loved and indulged, where strangers become friends, and friends are family – this sensibility guided Gudda to have an open home and heart, and welcome anyone coming his way.
In my 38 years, I never had to announce my visit, even in the last couple of years when he very bravely fought poor health with his trademark hopeful demeanour. Always welcoming me with his full radiant smile and open arms, even when barely clothed and enjoying lazing comfortably on the sofa and watching TV while in recovery and rest mode. This is the man, a magician of an artist, India’s foremost King and Titan of Fashion, and the most devoted patriot of India’s cultural assets – this man, a hero of the highest stature, a man of the purest heart and soul, the kindest man I knew – it is his passing that I shall celebrate, with a heart that is certainly sad, but a mind that’s made peace knowing that I was blessed to have walked alongside such a great legend and pioneering artist.
Gudda was not at all a doll. Gudda was the fiercest champion, the most incredible sutradhar, the most fascinating human to have walked the Earth. And, what he gave India was a palpably vibrant, richly layered, sophisticated storytelling of fashionable fashion that was haute, that was pret, that was Indian, that was off the world, that was cut with care, that was styled with impeccable, masterful artistry, that was tailored with attention to detail, that was put together with a master’s grand vision.
What came alive when people wore these outfits were people who were richer, better and incredible versions of themselves, all because Rohit Bal had created for them a masterful attire that became them, that celebrated India, that put India on a map of finesse and style of fashion and couture that nobody else could do.
That magician was my friend Gudda. Rohit Bal from Kashmir of the world, an Indian belonging to the planet, mortal with immortal sensibilities. In his passing, in his death, he’s come alive in more ways than one. That’s the man that India will celebrate forever. All designers coming to market tomorrow and the day after, and for posterity will look back upon this magician called Rohit Bal and from him, find inspiration; in his fashion find gleaning, learning, teaching that can’t be matched anywhere. Their own fashion sensibilities will be forever changed, enriched because they learnt from Rohit’s doings, from his creations. What they bring to market will be blessed with a master’s vision, which makes their vision greater still. So, in passing, Gudda has struck that chord which makes him timeless, immortal and a master that will be remembered fondly forever.
We never mourn the passing of a Sufi poet, and I shall similarly celebrate Gudda’s moving on to another chapter of his journey, one that I know for sure will be filled with an abundance of love, endless gratitude, heartfelt welcome and inclusion, and flowers, music and dance, charming one and all to the hearts content. At 52, he has given me new reasons to believe in friendship, family and hope.
Suvir Saran in a celebrated chef and an author.