NEW DELHI: The news of his demise was confirmed through a tribute post on his official Instagram account, which featured a poignant black-and-white portrait reflecting the aesthetic he mastered over decades.
His son, photographer Nitin Rai, told PTI that his father had been diagnosed with prostate cancer two years ago, which initially responded to treatment. However, the cancer later returned, spreading to the stomach and subsequently to the brain, alongside age-related complications.
Raghu Rai is survived by his wife Gurmeet, son Nitin, and daughters Lagan, Avani and Purvai. The family announced that his cremation will take place today, April 26, 2026, at 4:00 pm at the Lodhi Road Cremation Ground (Lodhi Crematorium).
Born on December 18, 1942, in Jhang (now in Pakistan), Rai began learning photography in 1962 under his elder brother S. Paul. He started his professional career in the mid-1960s, joining The Statesman in New Delhi in 1965, where he covered major national events, including a visit in 1968 to Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s ashram during The Beatles’ stay.
In 1976, he left The Statesman to join the weekly magazine Sunday as picture editor, and in 1977 was nominated for membership of Magnum Photos by Henri Cartier-Bresson, an achievement that cemented his place among the world’s elite photographers.
Rai later worked with India Today, where he served as picture editor and photographer. During this period, he documented major historical events, including the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy, which became the focus of a long-term project and his book Exposure: A Corporate Crime. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1972 for his coverage of the Bangladesh Liberation War.
Rai’s work forms a visual chronicle of modern India, capturing the “extraordinary in the ordinary.” From the haunting aftermath of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy to intimate portraits of figures like Mother Teresa and Indira Gandhi, his lens documented both historic milestones and everyday life. His evocative images of Indian streets and the banks of the Ganges remain iconic representations of the country’s spirit.
Tributes poured in from across the artistic and cultural spectrum. Renowned photographer Atul Kasbekar described Rai as “quite simply, the greatest to ever hold a camera from our country,” adding that his passing marks the “end of an era.” Actress Dia Mirza and filmmaker Swanand Kirkire also expressed condolences, underscoring his far-reaching influence.
One tribute read, “History of India captured by one of the finest people we can ever think of... his work will be witnessed for generations.”
Raghu Rai’s legacy redefined photojournalism in India, elevating it into a powerful art form and leaving behind an unparalleled archive documenting India’s social, political and cultural evolution.
(With inputs from ANI)