Padma Shri Photographer Raghu Rai Passes Away at 83 After Prolonged Illness

India has lost one of its most celebrated visual storytellers as Raghu Rai passed away at the age of 83 on Sunday. Known for redefining photojournalism in the country, his death marks the end of an era in Indian photography.

Rai had been undergoing treatment at a private hospital after battling multiple health complications. His son Nitin Rai confirmed that the veteran photographer had been dealing with cancer and age related ailments for some time. Though he showed resilience and recovered from prostate cancer earlier, the illness later spread to other parts of his body including the brain, leading to his decline in recent days.

Born in 1942 in Jhang in present day Pakistan, Raghu Rai’s journey into photography began in the early 1960s. He learned the craft from his elder brother S Paul and went on to build a remarkable career that earned him national and international recognition.

Over the decades, Rai became known for capturing powerful human emotions and historic moments through his lens. His work not only documented events but also reflected the social and cultural fabric of India, making him a defining figure in the field.

He was honored with the Padma Shri for his immense contribution to photography, and his images continue to inspire generations of photographers. With his passing, the photography community mourns a legend whose vision transformed how stories are told through images.