Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed deep grief over the death of legendary Indian photojournalist Raghu Rai, describing his passing as an irreparable loss to the world of photography and culture.
In a post on X, Modi paid tribute to Rai’s immense artistic legacy and his contribution to capturing the essence of India 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.
Conveying his 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 celebrated photographers, passed away earlier in the day after a prolonged illness, according to sources close to his family. He was in his early eighties. His death has prompted an outpouring of tributes from political leaders, artists and members of the media fraternity across the country.
Over a career spanning more than six decades, Rai became synonymous with powerful visual storytelling, documenting India’s social fabric, political shifts and everyday life with remarkable depth. A former chief photographer at The Statesman and a longtime contributor to international publications, he earned global recognition for his iconic images, including his coverage of the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy and portraits that reflected the complexity and diversity of Indian society.
Widely regarded as a pioneer of modern photojournalism in India, Rai’s work combined technical mastery with a deep humanistic approach, shaping the visual narrative of the nation for generations. His photographs not only chronicled history but also connected people to the lived realities of the country, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire photographers and storytellers worldwide.