Mumbai, April 27: Celebrated Indian photojournalist Raghu Rai passed away on April 26 at the age of 83. Known as a pioneer of Indian photography, Rai was famous for telling stories through his images, capturing significant events that remain alive in his photographs today.
Born in 1942, Rai developed a passion for photography in his childhood, often taking pictures with his father’s camera. He initially pursued civil engineering in 1964, as per his father’s wishes, but soon turned to photography in 1965, quickly becoming a cult figure in the field.
His first photograph was published in the ‘London Times,’ where he captured an image of a donkey, which was selected for a half-page feature. Rai’s work brought him recognition and a substantial payment.
Throughout his , Rai worked closely with prominent figures such as Mother Teresa, Indira Gandhi, and the Dalai Lama, capturing their emotions in iconic close-up shots. His relationship with Mother Teresa spanned nearly fifty years, and he documented Indira Gandhi’s personal and professional life until her assassination in 1984. Rai also authored a book on the Dalai Lama, titled ‘A God in Exile,’ featuring photographs taken over four decades.
One of his most poignant works includes the photograph titled ‘Burial of an Unknown Child,’ taken during the Bhopal gas tragedy on December 2, 1984. This image helped the world recognize the tragedy’s pain, which resulted in the immediate deaths of around 3,500 people due to the leak of toxic gas from the Union Carbide plant.
Rai also documented the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971, capturing the plight of refugees and earning the Padma Shri award from the Indian government in 1972 for his remarkable photographs.
His interest in street photography began in the 1960s, as he preferred to capture the essence of everyday life rather than staged or decorative images. His work reflects the rich tapestry of Indian culture and daily life, earning him the title of ‘visual chronicler’ of post-independence India.
Rai was nominated for Magnum Photos by the renowned French photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson, who was impressed by his work. In 2017, a documentary titled ‘Raghu Rai: An Unframed Documentary’ was produced by Bollywood director Anurag Basu, featuring Rai’s life and contributions.
An avid gardener, Rai once mentioned that if he were not a photographer, he would have been a gardener, as he had a deep love for plants and nature. He authored approximately 57 books and served as a judge for various international photography contests.