PERSONAL INFORMATION
Other name: Swami Satyadeva Bharti [1] Facebook – Satya Paul
Profession(s): Entrepreneur, Fashion Designer
Famous for: Founding the designer label Satya Paul
Date of Birth: 2 February 1942 (Monday)
Birthplace: Layyah, British India (now in Pakistan)
Age (at the time of death): 78 Years
Zodiac sign: Aquarius
Nationality: • British Indian (2 February 1942- 15 August 1947) • Indian (15 August 1947 – till death)
Hometown: New Delhi
Religion/Religious Views: In the 1970s, Satya Paul started following the philosopher Jiddu Krishnamurti. Later, he became a devotee of Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh (also known as Osho ) and took Sannyasa from him. As a Zorba Sannyasin, [4] Osho News Satya joined the religious intentional community of Osho called Rajneeshpuram commune, along with his wife and children. Although after Osho’s death in 1990 Paul wasn’t looking for a new leader, he stumbled upon Sadhguru in 2007 and started following him. In 2015, he relocated to Isha Yoga Center, a spiritual organisation founded by Sadhguru in 1992 near Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, where he took his last breath. [5] Facebook – Puneet Nanda
Age: 79 Years
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EDUCATION
Educational Qualification: In an interview, he revealed that he was a self-taught fashion designer. He never pursued a course in fashion design. [3] DNA He said, “I had to self-teach myself about design and quality as I was not content only with trading. Wanting to offer better quality and design, the search took me far and wide and helped shape a life of creation.”
FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS
Marital Status (at the time of death): Married
Wife/Spouse: Santosh
Children: Son – Puneet Nanda (co-founder of the designer label Satya Paul) Daughter – Richa Nanda
Parents: Father – Name Not Known (ran a small restaurant named Punjab Watani in Sarojini Nagar, Delhi) Mother – Name Not Known
Wife: Santosh
OTHER INFORMATION
Date of Death: 6 January 2021
Place of Death: Isha Yoga Centre in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
Death Cause: Stroke [2] The Hindu
INTERESTING BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Satya Paul was a pioneering Indian entrepreneur and fashion designer whose remarkable eponymous label transformed the landscape of Indian fashion in the 1990s. Often referred to as “the man who reinvented the sari,” Paul became a cultural icon by popularizing digital print saris that resonated with contemporary sensibilities while honoring traditional craftsmanship. His journey began against the backdrop of adversity, as his family fled Layyah, Pakistan, and resettled in New Delhi following the partition of India in 1947. This pivotal shift not only shaped his identity but also laid the groundwork for his entrepreneurial spirit, as Paul sought to carve out a niche in the burgeoning textile industry.
In 1965, Paul ventured into the world of retail by acquiring a cottage emporium franchise from the government. Initially, he faced a steep learning curve, lacking knowledge of fabric and design. However, his determination drove him to self-educate, leading to the establishment of his first shop that offered a diverse range of women’s and men’s garments, alongside home décor. Two years later, he chose to dissolve this arrangement, redirecting his focus to his own handloom emporium, where he continued to cultivate his passion for textiles until the late 1960s. By 1975, he had shifted gears to tap into the niche market of Indian heirlooms, exporting his unique designs overseas and further solidifying his place in the industry.
The turning point in Paul’s career came in 1980 when he founded L’affaire in New Delhi, which is widely recognized as India’s first sari boutique. This innovative venture set the stage for the launch of his designer label, Satya Paul, on April 1, 1985, in collaboration with his then 17-year-old son, Puneet Nanda. The label quickly gained prominence for its exquisite offerings, which included saris, kurtas, handbags, and men’s accessories. Notably, the decision to focus on saris was strategic, reflecting the garment’s prevalence among Indian women. In an insightful interview, Puneet articulated their vision, stating, “We wanted this to be a brand that was relevant to every Indian woman.” The label’s unique approach melded traditional Indian weaving techniques with modern aesthetics, resulting in innovative designs that featured unexpected patterns such as polka dots and zebra stripes.
As Satya Paul’s brand gained traction, it also became synonymous with creativity and artistic expression. By 1987, the label began hosting solo fashion shows across India, where performances by notable musicians like Hariprasad Chaurasia and Ustad Usman Khan enriched the atmosphere. Paul’s pioneering spirit led him to introduce choreographed collections—conceptual pieces that told stories through their themes, such as the Museum and Rainbow collections. The brand’s growth was remarkable, expanding its reach across India and establishing a store in Bengaluru by 1990. In 2001, the label was acquired by Genesis Colors Private Limited, allowing Satya Paul to step back while continuing his international endeavors through Paul Salon, thus ensuring his legacy in the world of fashion.
Despite his tremendous success, Satya Paul preferred to remain out of the limelight, shying away from interviews and public attention. He once expressed his disdain for celebrity culture, emphasizing that he preferred to let his work speak for itself. A passionate devotee of Osho, Paul even obtained rights to use Osho’s signatures on his sarees, intertwining his fashion with his spiritual beliefs. An aficionado of poetry and the arts, he drew inspiration from literary figures like T.S. Eliot and Robert Frost, showcasing his eclectic interests. Paul’s journey in the fashion industry reflects a deep commitment to innovation and tradition, leaving an indelible mark on the world of Indian textiles that continues to influence designers today.
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Note: All biographical information compiled from publicly available sources.