This is a Rohit Bal you haven't seen lately. For about two years, actually.

Balance by Rohit Bal was breathtakingly deft, a fine ode to purity. The collection was titled Sheen Mubarak (which is what Kashmiris say to celebrate the first snowfall).

Rohit confesses it was a going-back-to-the-roots collection for him and was, therefore, heartfelt.

His womenswear line consisted of full skirts, cholis, empire-line long tops, Nehru-collared jackets and capes.

His menswear had a latent warrior look, with toga-like wraps, shirts, jackets, skirt-pants, dhotis and simple trousers.

Rohit also revived the age-old warak ka kaam (work in silver/gold leaf) once used for the Mughal kings and queens and royalty.

This collection is one of Rohit Bal's best.

He got a standing ovation for it. It was a first for him, he said. Of course, he wanted a drink after that to recover!