Famous fashion designer Satya Paul passed away in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu on January 7 due to natural causes. He was 79 years old. Born in 1942, Paul was credited for reinventing sarees in the contemporary age. He founded the eponymous Indian designer label ‘Satya Paul’ in 1985. The brand, now present across the country, is known for its indigenous prints. “We are sad only a bit, mostly rejoicing him, his life and now his passing with such a blessing,” Paul’s son Puneet Nanda wrote in a Facebook post. In the 70s, his inner journey started as he attended talks given by philosopher J. Krishnamurti. Later, he sought guidance from Osho. After Osho left in 1990, though he wasn’t seeking another Master, he discovered Sadhguru in 2007. He immediately started enjoying the path of yoga and eventually moved here in 2015,” he added.
“Those who have been with him at any point in life would recall him as one who showered his love without hesitation or any barriers. I can attest to him having lived in totality and left fulfilled in every possible way. It is the greatest testament to him as he went joyously, without fear,” Nanda said. Nanda said that Paul had suffered a stroke on December 2 and was recovering in a hospital. He was later cleared by doctors to be taken to the Isha Yoga Center in Coimbatore, which had been Paul’s home since 2015. The news was also shared on social media by designer Divyam Mehta, who lost his maternal uncle, guide and a mentor. “My maternal grandfather was in the business of restaurants and it was my uncle who introduced textiles, design and fashion to the family. My uncle, Satya Paul, took up textiles and fashion. He was always very forward in his thinking and when I told him that I want to pursue fashion designing, he stood by me, guiding me in the right direction. He did not want me to be his shadow, but he wanted me to carve my own path,” says Divyam.