‘Photography for me is connecting with nature and humans’

Renowned photographer Raghu Rai discusses photography, perspective, religion, and creativity in a thought-provoking conversation at JC Art Gallery.

Connecting to the nature and humans was the most divine experience of photography, said eminent photographer Raghu Rai.  

Mr. Rai known for his remarkable photos of former Prime Minister Indra Gandhi, Dalai Lama, Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray, film director Satyajit Ray, baby donkey, among others, conversed with audience at a discussion organised by JC Art Gallery here on Saturday. 

On how his photographs stood out differently from the other photos of his time, he gently replied that it was all the perspective that mattered.  

“Each one of us have a different life, different upbringing, different culture and this is what helps everyone come up with their unique style,” he explained. 

He recounted how he was permitted to every place inside the Meenakahi Sundareswarar temple 50 years ago and how he was prevented from accessing the same areas now.  

“When a temple prevents me from photographing the sanctum sanctorum, I avoid going there, instead, I capture eyes of people in whom I see the god,” he noted.  

Speaking on the shift of religious practice in India, he said, “Since, every temple now is controlled by religious organisations or the governments, the ability of the temple to provide divinity has vanished.”