An evening planned as a celebration of music in Dubai became something else entirely.
On January 18, audiences gathered for the 22nd edition of Global Fusion. However, just one day earlier, Rohit Walia, founder and executive chairman of Alpen Capital, passed away suddenly at his Dubai residence at the age of 65.
As the concert began, the atmosphere shifted. What unfolded was no longer only a musical performance. Instead, it became a tribute to the man who created the platform and believed deeply in its purpose.
A vision that continued beyond him
For more than two decades, Global Fusion stood as Walia’s most personal project. He built it around a simple belief. Dubai could bring cultures together without barriers.
That belief guided the night. Grammy-winning musicians performed under the theme “Timeless Rhythms”, a reminder that while lives end, ideas and art continue.
Throughout the evening, music carried a quiet message. Creativity outlives its creator.
A stage without borders
The concert brought together artists from across the world. Wouter Kellerman, a three-time Grammy winner, led the ensemble on flute. Performers from South Africa, Bulgaria, Iran, Cuba, the Netherlands, and the United States joined him on stage.
Importantly, Emirati oud musician Abdel Rahman Al Blooshi also performed. Walia always insisted on including local talent as part of the Global Fusion identity.
“Global Fusion was his heart,” Kellerman said. “Playing that night felt like honouring him in the only way we could.”
Beyond finance and titles
In business, Walia built one of the region’s most respected advisory firms. He founded Alpen Capital in 2005 at the Dubai International Financial Centre and later launched Alpen Asset Advisors. Over his career, he led more than 100 transactions across healthcare, infrastructure, finance, and technology.
Yet those who knew him spoke less about deals and more about character.
“When I think of Rohit, I think of a banyan tree,” said Krishna Dhanak, Chief Investment Officer at Gutmann Capital. “Strong, protective, and always creating space for others to grow.”
Alpen Capital echoed that sentiment in a statement, describing him as an exceptional professional and an even greater human being.
A leader remembered for giving hope.
Colleagues described Walia as a mentor who stayed calm under pressure and refused to accept limitations.
“In a world full of excuses, Rohit looked for solutions,” said Sanjay Vig, Deputy CEO of Al Mal Capital. “He didn’t just solve problems. He reassured people.”
That approach shaped both his leadership style and the culture around him.
A moment of quiet reflection
The evening reached its most emotional point when Chandrika Tandon performed ancient Sanskrit chants associated with healing and transition.
“It felt like I came to honour him on his journey,” she said.
Days earlier, Tandon had won a Grammy Award alongside Kellerman and Japanese cellist Eru Matsumoto for their album Triveni.
When the music faded
As the concert ended, longtime associate Eric Sarasin quoted composer Irving Berlin.
“The song is ended, but the melody lingers on.”
That line captured the evening. The music closed. The applause faded. Yet the purpose behind Global Fusion, unity, collaboration, and shared humanity, remained.
In Dubai that night, the tribute did more than honour a life. It reminded the audience why Rohit Walia created Global Fusion in the first place.
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