Iconic designer Satya Paul passes away at 79 in Coimbatore

Fashion designer Satya Paul, who reinvented the saree for contemporary women through his brand, passed away on Thursday at the Isha Yoga Center in Coimbatore. He was 79.

Satya Paul, who was a full-time resident of the Isha Yoga Center since 2015, died due to natural causes. Satya Paul's journey began in the late 1960s after he began exporting Indian hand loom products to high-end retail stores in Europe and America.

“In 1980, he launched the first ‘saree boutique’ in India, L’Affaire, and in 1986, India’s first designer label with his son Puneet. The Satya Paul brand became one of the premier brands of the country. He passed on the mantle to his son in 2000, and they later exited the company in 2010,” a statement from Isha Foundation said.

Sadhguru, Founder of the Isha Foundation, condoled Satya Paul's death, saying he was a shining example of what it means to live with immeasurable passion and unrelenting involvement. “The distinct vision you brought to the Indian fashion industry is a beautiful tribute to this. A privilege to have had you amongst us. Condolences & Blessings,” he said.

His son, Puneet Nanda, wrote on Facebook, “He couldn’t have had a sweeter life or passage, at the feet of the Master. We are sad a bit, mostly rejoicing him, his life and now his passing with such a blessing”.

Paul had suffered a stroke in December.

"He had a stroke on December 2 and as he was slowly recovering in the hospital, his only wish was to get all the things he was being monitored and poked with - removed so he could fly away.

"We finally got clearance from doctors to take him back to Isha Yoga Center, his home since 2015. As per his wish, he gently passed on with blessings of the Master," Nanda wrote on Facebook. Nanda said though there's grief for his father's loss, the family is also celebrating the wholesome life the designer led.

Nanda wrote that his father, more than a designer or entrepreneur, was a "seeker."

"In the 70's his inner journey started with going to listen to talks with J Krishnamurty, later he took 'sannyas' (renunciation) 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 has been a doorway for hundreds of people towards spirituality and all the Masters he was so blessed to have been with," he added.

(With inputs from PTI)