Renowned Indian photojournalist Raghu Rai passed away at 83 on Sunday, April 26, 2026, after battling cancer and age-related complications in a New Delhi private hospital. His son, photographer Nitin Rai, shared that prostate cancer, initially cured two years ago, had spread to Rai’s stomach and recently his brain.
Rai is survived by wife Gurmeet, son Nitin, and daughters Lagan, Avani, and Purvai. Last rites are set for 4 pm at Lodhi Cremation Ground.
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Rai’s lens captured India’s raw essence – from war to daily life, earning him global acclaim. Starting at 23 in 1965, he became The Statesman’s chief photographer in 1966, serving nearly a decade. He later edited pictures for a Kolkata weekly. In 1971, Henri Cartier-Bresson spotted his talent, nominating him to Magnum Photos, the world’s top cooperative.
Awards poured in early: In 1972, Rai received the Padma Shri for his poignant 1971 India-Pakistan War coverage, including Bangladeshi refugees and Pakistan’s surrender.
By 1982, he joined India Today Magazine as Picture Editor, Visualiser, and Photographer during its formative years. There, he crafted groundbreaking picture essays on social, political, and cultural themes through the 1980s.
Rai’s decades-long career chronicled India’s transformations, combining artistry with journalism. His work with India Today defined visual storytelling, influencing generations.
Tributes flooded social media, hailing him as a master who “froze India’s many shades in time.”
