No, Wendell Rodricks, Trying to Call You, Pick Up: Sona Mohapatra Tweets in Shock

Well-known fashion designer, gay rights activist and Padma Shri awardee Wendell Rodricks died on Wednesday evening following a prolonged illness.

Speaking to IANS on Wednesday Nilakanth Halarnkar, BJP MLA from the Thivim Assembly constituency and a longtime associate of the 60-year-old designer confirmed his death. "Yes, it is true. He died at 5.45 pm. today. He was ailing for a long time," Halarnkar said.

Family sources said that the funeral is scheduled for Thursday.

Rodricks, one of the most popular fashion designers from Goa, was awarded a Padma Shri in 2014 and was also accorded the Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts Et Lettres by the French Ministry of Culture in 2015. As a designer he has been credited with reviving the Kunbi saree, worm by the indigenous Kunbi tribal women of Goa.

He was in the process of setting up a museum 'Moda Goa Museum and Research Centre' which Rodricks had dedicated to clothes and fashion in Goa through the ages.

Condolences poured in from the politicians as well as members of fashion and showbiz world. "The fashion fraternity lost a legend today," said the official handle of Fashion Design Council of India.

Singer Sona Mohapatra tweeted in shock, refusing to accept the news of his death.

Filmmaker Onir paid a special tribute to his friend, "Absolutely shocked and heartbroken to hear about my friend @Wendellrodricks sudden demise. Sad that this happens when he was about to open his dream project..."

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