What is it that makes one human being so loved and celebrated and another unsung? This is the thought that occurred to me when I witnessed the last journey of the much loved, flamboyant Bala Saheb, known for his provocative speeches and for crossing all political and social boundaries.

It seems just like yesterday that we shared a glass of white wine with his preferred snack, suran. Under the public personality was a man with an engaging sense of humour and a strong point of view. He allowed you to engage in a discussion, but very strongly put forward his perspective. I call that special ingredient that engaged millions ‘charm’ — some possess it and some just cannot acquire it, hard as they might work, because I believe it belongs to those that have the gene ingrained within.
Was it only political power that brought twenty lakh persons to bid adieu to this man who reached across and touched their hearts goes? It goes beyond mere politics. ‘Awesome’, the much bandied word, was never so much in place. For me, one of the most attractive qualities of the Tiger, as he was fondly referred to, was to make another feel not like “I like him” but “he likes me.” The rare leader who made that intimate connect that has made tens of thousands weep with a sense of personal loss this week. You met only a few times, but he remembered you warmly, eyes twinkling behind shades that he would be wearing even on an evening indoors. His only condition of hearing my social cause or whatever agenda brought me to him, being sharing that suran and glass of wine.
They say power and success are magnets and certainly they must have been a part of his charisma. People list Bala Saheb’s wit, his flamboyance, his bold and often irreverent extreme opinions, his contrariness, all well tabulated, as what made him a colourful persona, but to me it was his power of love for the common man and the fight that he took up for those whose voices that could never be heard. It is the one powerful force that can move mountains, the one force touted by Simon Peres in my recent interaction with that great leader of Israel which I shall write about next in this space. It is the common ingredient shared by all greats that move oceans of humanity to respond to them across the variety of barriers that mark our country.
Bala Saheb said, “I believe what comes from here (pointing to his heart) is more important than what comes from here (pointing to head).”
Ultimately, what made him the cult figure that he was may be discussed and analysed but the ineffable quality, the winner, was the connect with the heart of his public. The ability to laugh and cry with people. To share and be one of them, not from a pedestal but from within their fold. To be able to be opinionated, sometimes obstinate, but always endearing.
I realise that seldom before has Mumbai cried so much, with such an emotional surge. It was for the one referred to as “Maharashtra’s tallest son.” I stand in this procession with goosebumps. People tell me that the last such emotional outpouring witnessed was at Jawaharlal Nehru’s demise. Such a sea of humanity was witnessed only at the passing away of Mahatma Gandhi.
The author is a lifestyle columnist and a designer. You can mail her at nishjamwal @gmail.com