Legendary photographer Raghu Rai's prayer meet to be held on May 2
New Delhi, April 29
Legendary photographer Raghu Rai's family will host a special prayer meet in his memory on May 2.
The prayer meet will be held at Chinmaya Mission, Lodhi Road, Delhi, from 4:00 pm to 6: 00 pm.
Rai breathed his last on April 26.
Born on December 18, 1942, in Jhang (now in Pakistan), Rai rose to global prominence as a protege of Henri Cartier-Bresson, who nominated him to join Magnum Photos in 1977, an achievement that cemented his place among the world's elite photographers.
His work forms a visual chronicle of modern India.
From the aftermath of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy to portraits of figures like Mother Teresa and Indira Gandhi, Rai documented both historic milestones and everyday life.
His images of Indian streets and the banks of the Ganges remain iconic representations of the country's spirit.
He was awarded Padma Shri in 1972 and Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017 by the Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for his decades of service to photography.
— ANI
Reader Comments
It's amazing how Raghu Rai's black-and-white images of Bhopal still haunt me decades later. He didn't just take pictures—he made us feel the pain and resilience of India. A master storyteller.
I remember seeing his photo of Indira Gandhi in a school textbook—it had such grace and authority. He truly captured the essence of every subject. While I wish more young photographers today knew his work, this prayer meet will be a fitting tribute. 🙏
Magnum Photos inducting him on Cartier-Bresson's recommendation is a huge honor that speaks volumes. His legacy is a visual roadmap of modern India from Partition's aftermath to today. Thank you for the artistry, Mr. Rai.
A Padma Shri and a Lifetime Achievement Award are well-deserved, but I wish his works were more accessible in public galleries. His chronicle of Indian streets from the 60s onward is unmatched. Rest in peace, sir.
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