Born in 1942 in Jhang (now in Pakistan), Rai originally trained as a civil engineer before finding his true calling in 1965. Encouraged by his elder brother, S Paul, he joined The Statesman and quickly rose to prominence. His talent caught the eye of the legendary Henri Cartier-Bresson, who nominated him to join the prestigious Magnum Photos cooperative in 1977.
Rai’s work was about the raw, unvarnished truth. He was a master of the “extraordinary in the ordinary,” capturing everything from the corridors of power to the dusty streets of rural India. His historic photo coverage includes the Bhopal gas tragedy, the Bangladesh Liberation War and the coverage of icons and faith
Rai was known for his relentless pursuit of the “pulsating heart” of India. Whether shooting in black and white or vibrant colour, his images possessed a unique depth that balanced social commentary with deep empathy. He published over 50 books, including the acclaimed Raghu Rai’s India: Reflections in Colour.
Tributes have poured in from across the globe, with political leaders and artists alike mourning a creative stalwart.
He is survived by his wife, Gurmeet, and his children, including photographer Nitin Rai, who confirmed his passing following a battle with cancer.