One of the most celebrated Indian photographers, S Paul has passed away at the age of 88. He had recently undergone a surgery and took his last breath at Max Hospital, Patparganj, East Delhi.
S Paul was born on 19 August (incidentally being World Photography Day)1929 in Jhang, Pakistan. He later moved to India with his family after partition.
Renowned Magnum photographer Raghu Rai is his brother.
He worked as an engineering draftsman for the Indian government initially. He practiced photography between his work and mastered the art himself.
His work received acclaim when his photographs were published in three British publications - Amateur Photographer, Miniature Camera and Miniature Camera World.
Noticing his work in photography, the Himachal Pradesh government invited to build a photography department in the state.
Later, he worked with the Indian Railways as chief photographer for two years. Paul became the Chief of Photography department at The Indian Express and stayed on for the next 26 years, retiring in 1989.
B&W Magazine of US had described him as 'The Henry Cartier-Bresson of India'.
Apart from other recognitions, Paul was the first Indian to be profiled by The British Journal of Photography in 1967. He was the first Indian to win the Nikon International Photo Contest in 1971.