Excerpt: Master Photographer Raghu Rai
In her latest book, Raghu Rai: Waiting for the Divine, writer and editor Rachna Singh gives readers a vivid portrait of India’s most famous documentary photographer. And in this excerpt from the foreword, the master photographer himself reflects on his art and approach to life.
[Left] A young Dalai Lama in the Himalayas, 1975
I have had a long career of more than fifty-five years in journalism. As a photojournalist, I found myself at the forefront of major political, social, and cultural events. However, on quieter days, when nothing noteworthy was happening, I would wander around, capturing moments from daily life. This shift from the grand to the mundane and ordinary has given me a nuanced perspective and deep understanding of life and nature in my large, sprawling country.
[Right] Raghu Rai in his younger days (Credit: Raghu Rai Archives)
[Left] Mother Teresa in Kolkata, 1995
Indian philosophy holds that kan kan mein Bhagwan hain (God exists in every particle of our being). That does not mean you will find God under any stone or by disturbing the foundations of a wall or simply by sitting beneath a tree. Even years of tapasya (penance) may not reveal God. As a photographer, I learnt that everything in the 
world matters, whether a momentous event or a mundane occurrence. I discovered that when I connected with the smallest details of nature and life, they created a new awareness and understanding in me. In these moments of discernment, I felt united with the divine. God, whether as Ram, Krishna, Allah, Christ, or Guru Nanak, does not descend from the heavens. But when there is a true yearning for the divine connection, nature and life reveal glimpses of spiritual truths. When this divine energy aligns with your soul, you truly see his creations and become one with him. My life has been a pursuit of finding this divine presence in nature and the world around me.
[Right] Carrying their old mother (refugees from Bangladesh), 1971
[Left] Chawri Bazar, Old Delhi
Jab darshan ki chah ho aur darshan hote hain nature ke, life ke, tabh kan kan mein Bhagwan nazar aate hain. Aur jab divine energy apki antaratma se connect hoti hai, toh, darshan lazmi hain. (When there is a yearning for the Divine, divine energy reveals itself in every particle of the world and in the beauty of nature. When this sacred energy connects with the soul, God is unveiled to us in all his divinity and glory.)
Many friends and acquaintances have encouraged me to write about my varied experiences and the celebrities and great personalities I’ve met—from prime ministers to film stars to renowned artists. But I feel my pictures convey my thoughts better as I am no wordsmith. I write occasionally, just enough to add context to my images. It is rare to encounter a writer who, while interviewing a creative artist, truly resonates with their emotions, capturing the essence of their spirit. Rachna Singh has accomplished this with exceptional precision. Through her thoughtful approach, she has authentically and uniquely encapsulated my life, philosophy, creativity, and relationships with family, friends, and colleagues. Anyone reading her work would unhesitatingly say, “Yes, that’s Raghu Rai, and no one else.” While some strive to prove they can do anything, I don’t feel the need to prove anything to anyone. As the saying goes, jiska kaam usi ko saaje (tasks are best handled by those who are meant to execute them). I am happy that she chose to tell my story. This book is the result of extensive research and deep conversations on countless topics, offering me a chance to reflect on my life’s trajectory.
Reprinted with permission from Rachna Singh’s Raghu Rai: Waiting for the Divine, released by Hawakal Publishers in India. Singh, the author of five books, edits The Wise Owl, a monthly literary journal.
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