Renowned Indian photojournalist Raghu Rai, widely regarded as a pioneer of modern photography in the region, has died at the age of 83 after a battle with cancer on April 26, his family confirmed.
Raghu Rai, often described as the Father of Indian Photography, is remembered for his powerful visual documentation of major historical and political moments, including his widely circulated images from the 1971 Liberation War of Bangladesh. His work played a significant role in drawing international attention to the conflict.
Born in 1942 in what was then British India, Raghu Rai began his professional career in the 1960s, later working with leading publications such as The Statesman and India Today. Over the decades, he established himself as one of the most influential documentary photographers in South Asia.
His images from the Bangladesh Liberation War were later recognised by legendary photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson, leading to Raghu Rai being associated with the prestigious Magnum Photos network. His body of work is often described as a defining visual record of modern Indian history.
Beyond conflict photography, Raghu Rai also captured major humanitarian and political events, including the Bhopal gas tragedy, as well as portraits of global figures such as Mother Teresa and Indira Gandhi.
He received multiple honours during his career, including civilian awards from the Indian government and international recognition for his contribution to photojournalism.
