Raghu Rai, who captured India’s soul, dies at 83

His son, photographer Nitin Rai, confirmed that he had been battling cancer for the past two years.

“Dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer two years ago but he was cured. Then it spread to the stomach, that too was treated. Recently, the cancer spread to his brain, along with age-related complications,” Nitin Rai told PTI.

A life behind the lens

Born in 1942 in Jhang, Punjab (now in Pakistan), Raghu Rai developed an early interest in photography under the guidance of his elder brother, photographer S Paul.

He began his professional journey in the mid-1960s and joined The Statesman in 1965.

During his early career, Rai captured several defining moments in India’s history. Notably, in 1968, he photographed The Beatles during their visit to the ashram of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.

Rise to global recognition

In 1976, Rai moved to the magazine Sunday as picture editor. A year later, he was nominated to join the prestigious Magnum Photos by legendary photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson—a milestone that cemented his international stature.

Rai’s work stood out for its humanism and depth, capturing both monumental events and intimate everyday moments with equal sensitivity.

From documenting the aftermath of the Bhopal gas disaster to photographing political leaders, spiritual figures, and ordinary citizens, his images offered a powerful narrative of India’s evolving identity.

Beyond photojournalism, Rai also worked on long-term personal projects, focusing on cities like Delhi, Kolkata, and Varanasi, as well as iconic figures such as Indira Gandhi, whose life he documented extensively.

His ability to blend artistry with journalism made his work both visually compelling and historically significant.

He is survived by his family, including his son Nitin Rai. With his passing, India loses not just a photographer, but a chronicler of its soul—someone who captured the country’s chaos, beauty, and contradictions with unmatched clarity and compassion.