Raghu Rai's 60-year photographic chronicle of India
A photo essay highlights the work of Raghu Rai, an Indian photographer who joined Magnum Photos in 1977 at Henri Cartier-Bresson's invitation. Born in Jhang (now Pakistan), Rai is known for his coverage of the 1984 Bhopal disaster for Greenpeace and intimate portraits of Mother Teresa. His images capture both social elites and everyday life, including crowds at Chowpatty beach (Mumbai, 2004), boys in Dharavi slums trying to grab a plane (2004), commuters at Churchgate station (1995), and a girl named Gas Devi born on the day of the Bhopal gas tragedy (2002). Rai has authored over 18 books and received multiple awards. The images are drawn from his books 'Raghu Rai's India: Reflections in Black and White' and 'Raghu Rai's Delhi', with an introduction by William Dalrymple.
Key facts
- Raghu Rai joined Magnum Photos in 1977 at Henri Cartier-Bresson's invitation.
- He was born in Jhang, present-day Pakistan.
- He covered the Bhopal disaster for Greenpeace.
- He took intimate portraits of Mother Teresa.
- He has authored more than 18 books.
- His work includes images of Chowpatty beach (2004), Dharavi slums (2004), Churchgate station (1995), and Bhopal (2002).
- A girl born on the day of the Bhopal gas tragedy was named Gas Devi.
- William Dalrymple wrote the introduction to 'Raghu Rai's Delhi'.
Entities
Artists
- Raghu Rai
- Henri Cartier-Bresson
- Mother Teresa
- Gas Devi
- William Dalrymple
Institutions
- Magnum Photos
- Greenpeace
- Union Carbide
- Missionaries of Charity
Locations
- Jhang
- Pakistan
- Mumbai
- India
- Delhi
- Calcutta
- Bhopal
- Dharavi
- Churchgate railway station
- Paharganj
- Kolkata
- South Asia
- Central Asia