New Delhi: Renowned photographer Raghu Rai, known for documenting key moments in India’s modern history, has died at the age of 83. His family confirmed his passing and paid tribute to his life and work.
Born in a village in present day Pakistan before Partition, Rai trained as a construction engineer before turning to photography. Over six decades, he built a body of work that captured political events, social realities, and everyday life across India.
Rai documented major historical events, including the 1971 Bangladesh war and the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy. His images from Bhopal became enduring records of the disaster, which claimed an estimated 25,000 lives. He also photographed political leaders, including Indira Gandhi, and produced detailed visual studies of Indian society.
His work extended to cultural subjects, with published photo books on themes such as the Taj Mahal and portraits of Mother Teresa. These images reflected both public life and private moments.
In 1972, Rai received the Padma Shri for his contribution to photography. He also earned global recognition, including the Academie des Beaux Arts Photography Award. He became a member of Magnum Photos after nomination by Henri Cartier Bresson.
Colleagues and public figures described him as a visual historian who preserved India’s memory through his lens. Rai began his journey in photography after guidance from his brother and later worked with leading media organisations before pursuing independent projects.
His legacy includes decades of visual documentation that continue to shape how India’s history is remembered.
