Raghu Rai, Father of Indian Photojournalism, Dies at 83
Why in the news
Raghu Rai, widely regarded as the father of Indian photojournalism, died in Delhi on 26 April 2026 at the age of 83. He had been ill with cancer.
Key facts
- Born: 18 December 1942 in Jhang, now in Pakistan.
- Padma Shri: awarded in 1972 for his work on the Bangladesh War.
- Magnum Photos: nominated by Henri Cartier-Bresson in 1977.
- Bhopal: documented the 1984 gas disaster for Greenpeace, leading to the book Exposure: A Corporate Crime.
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1966 | Chief photographer at The Statesman |
| 1972 | Padma Shri |
| 1977 | Magnum Photos nomination |
| 1982-1992 | Director of photography, India Today |
About his work
He published more than 18 books, including titles on the Sikhs, Calcutta and the Taj Mahal. He also served on the World Press Photo jury from 1990 to 1997 and received a lifetime achievement award from the Information and Broadcasting Ministry in 2017.
Exam angle
- Pair the name with the field: photojournalism.
- Remember the Padma Shri year (1972) and the Magnum link.