The passing of Raghu Rai, a renowned Indian photographer and Padma Shri recipient, has left the nation in shock. Pablo Bartholomew, a fellow photographer and close friend, shares his personal loss and fond memories of their shared birthdays, the Bhopal tragedy, and Raghu's groundbreaking work.
Pablo recalls their decades-long friendship, which began when he was young and Raghu was a senior photojournalist. They shared a special bond, having been born on the same day, December 18. Together, they worked on several high-profile assignments, including the Bhopal Gas Tragedy and the Babri Masjid demolition.
Raghu was a 'father figure' in photojournalism, inspiring an entire generation with his path-breaking work. Pablo admires his early photographs, which showcased his unique perspective on life's simple things. Raghu's 18 books are a testament to his creative expression, going beyond journalism and sharing his vision of India with the world.
The two photographers last spoke on their birthday, with Raghu jokingly saying 'batlaunga!' despite his illness. Pablo remembers the tragic Bhopal incident, where their photographs of the buried girl gained international attention. Pablo's colour photograph won the World Press Photo of the Year in 1985, while Raghu's black-and-white image was equally powerful.
