Death of Indian Photojournalist Raghu Rai at Age 83
Introduction
Raghu Rai, a famous Indian photographer and photojournalist, passed away on Sunday at a private hospital in Delhi at the age of 83.
Main Body
His death was caused by complications from cancer. His son, Nitin Rai, stated that Rai had been treated for prostate and stomach cancers over the last two years. However, the disease eventually spread to the brain, which, combined with his age, led to his decline in health. Born in 1942 in Punjab, Rai originally trained as a civil engineer before starting his photography career in the 1960s. He worked for The Statesman and later served as a picture editor for Sunday and India Today. In 1977, he was invited to join the prestigious Magnum Photos cooperative. Over six decades, he documented major events such as the Bangladesh Liberation War and the Bhopal gas tragedy. He also took famous portraits of figures like Mother Teresa and Indira Gandhi, publishing over 18 books and contributing to global magazines like Time and The New York Times. Regarding his style, Rai emphasized the 'decisive moment' and preferred black-and-white photography, asserting that it provided a more honest representation of a subject. He also criticized modern photography festivals, claiming that the digital era has led to a large amount of unoriginal work because images are now so cheap to produce. Throughout his life, he received several high honors, including the Padma Shri and the Officier des Arts et des Lettres. In his final years, he continued to help others, including a 2025 initiative to raise money for flood victims.
Conclusion
Raghu Rai leaves behind a vast visual record of modern India. He is survived by his wife, Gurmeet, and three children.