NEW DELHI, April 26: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday mourned the death of legendary Indian photojournalist Raghu Rai, calling it an irreparable loss to the worlds of photography and culture.
In a post on X, Modi paid homage to Rai’s extraordinary artistic legacy and his lifelong effort to capture India’s essence through his lens. “Shri Raghu Rai Ji will be remembered as a creative stalwart, who captured India’s vibrancy through his lens. His photography had extraordinary sensitivity, depth and diversity. It brought people closer to the different aspects of life in India,” the Prime Minister wrote.
Expressing condolences, Modi added, “His passing is an irreparable loss to the world of photography and culture. My thoughts
are with his family, admirers and the photography fraternity in this hour of grief. Om Shanti.”
Raghu Rai, one of India’s most iconic photographers, passed away earlier in the day after a prolonged illness, according to sources close to his family. He was 83 years old. His demise has triggered an outpouring of tributes from political leaders, artists and media professionals across the country.
With a career spanning over six decades, Rai became synonymous with compelling visual storytelling, chronicling India’s social realities, political transformations and everyday life with rare depth and sensitivity. A former chief photographer at ‘The Statesman’ and a contributor to leading international publications, he earned global acclaim for his powerful images, including his documentation of the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy and portraits that captured the complexity of Indian society.
Widely regarded as a pioneer of modern photojournalism in India, Rai’s work blended technical excellence with deep humanity, helping shape the visual memory of the nation. His photographs not only documented history but also forged an emotional connection with viewers, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire generations of photographers and storytellers.
(UNI(
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