India’s Raghu Rai, celebrated photojournalist, dies aged 83

Raghu Rai, widely regarded as India’s most prominent photojournalist, died on April 26th at the age of 83. The announcement was confirmed in an obituary published by The Economist on May 14th, 2026, which described Rai as the country’s most famous practitioner of the craft.

Rai’s career spanned decades, during which he became a defining visual chronicler of India’s evolving social and political landscape. His work captured the nation’s transformation, providing an enduring photographic record of its history and culture.

The source material does not specify the location of his death or the cause of his passing. The obituary published by The Economist focuses on his professional legacy and his status within the field of photojournalism rather than the immediate circumstances of his death.

Rai is remembered for his significant contribution to visual journalism in India. His body of work has established him as a central figure in the country’s media history, with his images serving as a primary reference for understanding the nation’s recent past.

The publication of the obituary on May 14th, 2026, serves as a formal recognition of his passing and his impact on the field. His death marks the loss of a key voice in Indian photojournalism, leaving a void in the documentation of the nation’s visual history.