Raghu Rai, an Indian photographer and photojournalist, passed away on 26 April 2026 at the age of 83 in a private hospital in New Delhi. He was known for a career of more than five decades and for his association with Henri Cartier-Bresson, a French photographer and co-founder of Magnum Photos.
Raghu Rai And Indian Photography
Raghu Rai was among the best-known names in Indian photography and photojournalism. He documented Indian life, politics, culture, and public events through black-and-white and colour images. Photojournalism is a branch of journalism that uses photographs to report news and record events.
Henri Cartier-Bresson And Magnum Photos
Henri Cartier-Bresson was a French photographer born in 1908 and was one of the founders of Magnum Photos in 1947. Magnum Photos is an international photographic cooperative formed by photographers for documentary and editorial work. Raghu Rai was mentored by Cartier-Bresson, which placed him within a major global tradition of documentary photography.
Prostate Cancer And Age-Related Illness
Raghu Rai had been battling cancer and age-related health issues. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer two years earlier, and the disease later spread to his stomach and brain. Prostate cancer is a malignancy of the prostate gland, which is part of the male reproductive system.
Family And Last Rites
He is survived by his wife Gurmeet, his son Nitin Rai, and his daughters Lagan, Avani, and Purvai. His last rites were scheduled at Lodhi Cremation Ground in New Delhi at 4 pm on 26 April 2026.
Last Modified: April 26, 2026