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| Rachna Singh |
(Eminent Indian author-editor-presenter Rachna
Singh discusses her new book on the iconic photographer Raghu Rai with Sangeeta
Sharma, senior editor, in this email interview, covering allied aspects of
writing and a famous subject. ---Editor)
Q: Congrats Rachna on your latest
book on the legendary Raghu Rai! How did it start, the idea of doing a project
on the man called the father of Indian photography? A much-deserved narrative
on his legacy?
A:
My connection with Raghu Rai’s work began nearly four decades ago, in 1984. I
was just 16 years old when the Bhopal gas tragedy occurred. India Today
magazine featured a 10-page spread on the disaster, accompanied by haunting
photographs that captured its devastating impact. One image, in particular, has
stayed with me: a young boy lying in the rubble, his lifeless eyes staring into
space as a hand tenderly caressed his forehead in farewell. That
heart-wrenching photograph, which graced the cover of India Today, moved
me to tears. The photographer was none other than Raghu Rai. Since then, Raghu
Rai and his work has held a profound place in my personal pantheon of inspiring
figures.
In
2022, thanks to a whimsical fate, I had the privilege of interviewing Raghu Rai
for The Wise Owl. The conversation was rich with wisdom and life
lessons, leaving an indelible impression on me. It was then that I realized the
world needed to know more about this man’s incredible journey and enduring
legacy. That realization marked the beginning of my deep dive into the life of
the father of Indian photography.
Q:
The title is intriguing Raghu Rai: Waiting for the Divine for
a reader out shopping for a good read in a market surfeit with various
products. Titles are important clues and good titles catch the fleeting
attention, besides being self-explanatory, a kind of summation of the entire
book. How did it happen, this beautiful title?
A:
Raghu Rai himself suggested the title, and I felt it beautifully captured the
essence of both the man and the photographer. As you delve into the memoir,
you’ll come to see, as I did, that his life has been a quest to discover the
divine in nature and the world around him.
In his own words:
“My
life has been a pursuit of finding this divine presence in nature and the world
around me. Jab darshan ki chah ho aur darshan hote hain nature ke, life ke, tab
kan-kan mein Bhagwan nazar aate hain. Aur jab divine energy apki antaratma se
connect hoti hai, toh, darshan lazmi hain.”
He further emphasizes:
“Photography has been my entire life—it has, in fact, become my religion, a
faith to which I have dedicated myself completely. My craft led me toward a
meditative path that gave me insights into life and the divine, which has been
profoundly fulfilling.”
No
title, I feel, could better encapsulate Raghu Rai’s journey than Waiting for
the Divine.
Q:
Memoirs are getting popular as a genre these days. Publishers love them.
Something authentic, real and inspiring. The fav of industry and
readers looking for things, subjects relatable, motivational; stories that
resonate so well. How is this memoir different from others?
A:
Every great life is shaped by unique experiences, and the wisdom derived from
them is equally distinctive. This memoir captures the many dimensions of Raghu
Rai—the devoted photographer whose images are born from instinct, free of
preconceived thoughts or emotions, offering viewers an insider’s perspective on
profound moments; the sage who believes that magic happens when an artist
connects with divine energy, and who values the silence that great art can
restore.
What
sets this memoir apart is its unconventional approach. It is not a traditional
third-person, chronological account of Raghu Rai’s life. Instead, it takes the
form of a candid and vibrant conversation about his journey, his craft, his
relationships, and the creative principles that drive his work. His ‘deewangi’
(obsession) for photography permeates the narrative, infusing it with energy,
intensity, and passion. The dialogue draws readers into this intimate exchange,
transforming the memoir into a shared experience.
Moreover,
the memoir is enriched by iconic photographs from Raghu Rai himself, which add
depth and visual resonance to the storytelling.
Q: How did you go about it? Doing
conversations with the great photographer, the great guru whose pictures
capture the realities suffused with an element of the spiritual? How many
sessions?
A:
I would travel to Mehrauli, Raghu Rai’s base, every month to engage in these
extraordinary conversations with him. Each session lasted about 6–8 hours a day
and spanned 3–4 days. Over a period of 18 months, this process became an
incredible experience for me.
While
his unwavering dedication to his art was undoubtedly impressive, it was his
profound philosophy of life that truly captivated me. These conversations were
not just about his craft but also about his deeply spiritual approach to
photography and existence, which added a whole new dimension to the experience.
Q: Raghu Rai has been a personal
influencer for you, and many others. How did you find the real man behind that
divine lens? The celeb as a human being?
A:
The most endearing thing about Raghu Rai is that he doesn’t see himself as a
celebrity. He’s perhaps one of the most grounded individuals I’ve ever met. I
vividly remember, during one of our conversations about his childhood, he made
it a point to tell me not to shroud his life in mysticism or portray him as an
unattainable creative genius. He said:
"I
want people to connect with me. I want them to believe that with hard work and
dedication, they can become like me. I don’t want to be an inaccessible paragon
for them. So, make my life as normal as can be."
This
humility runs deep in his life. When he was on a world tour in 1971 and
received accolades from the European and US press, he wasn’t delighted;
instead, he was upset that the press was unnecessarily elevating a fledgling
photographer like him. His reaction to the news of being considered for the
Padma Shri was simply, “Are you sure?” And when Henri Cartier-Bresson
invited him to join Magnum Photos after the tour, Raghu Rai didn’t even respond
to the telex because he felt he wasn’t ready to sit alongside legends like
Cartier-Bresson.
Raghu
Rai never let fame dictate his actions or get to his head. From the start, he
put me at ease, always approachable and unpretentious. Whether it was sharing
lunch or tea or offering deeply insightful glimpses into his eventful life, he
remained a warm and gracious guide throughout my journey with him.
Q: What else do you find endearing
about this highly-respected and much-awarded artist with a camera, and a heart
full of empathy and sympathy?
A:
Beyond his humility, what struck me most about Raghu Rai was his child-like
enthusiasm for his craft. One afternoon, as I was sitting with him, immersed in
discussing his work and gathering insights for my book, I noticed he seemed
slightly distracted. His eyes kept darting toward a table with a box on it.
Curious, I glanced at the box and saw it bore the image of a camera. I quickly
deduced that it was a carton containing a new camera—and I was right.
After
a while, Raghu Rai admitted, with a disarming honesty, that he had just
received a new camera and was eagerly waiting to unbox it. Seeking my
permission, he asked if he could try it out, his anticipation almost tangible.
Naturally, I nodded.
What
followed was an unforgettable moment. Watching him unbox the camera and test it
out was like witnessing a child unwrapping their most desired gift. The
reverence, joy, and sheer excitement he displayed for this tool of his craft
were extraordinary. His hands moved with precision, but his eyes sparkled with
a delight that was almost infectious. It was a rare, unfiltered joy, the kind
one usually associates with very young children.
Most
of us lose that kind of pure passion over time, our excitement dimmed by
routine and responsibility. But here was a man, an artist of immense stature,
who remained unabashedly in love with his craft. His dedication and openness to
his Muse were not only inspiring but also a testament to the depth of his
connection with his art. It’s a quality few possess and one that makes Raghu
Rai truly remarkable.
Q: Any memorable experience, while
writing this memoir? An episode, moment, epiphany you can share with our
readers, please?
A:
Talking to Raghu Rai was transformative in many ways, opening up avenues of
thought I had never explored before. Two conversations, in particular, stood
out for me and had a profound impact on my outlook, almost epiphanic in their
effect.
The
first was about the purpose of creativity. For a long time, I believed that my
books would be the legacy I’d leave behind, something I would be remembered for
even after I was gone. Fame as a writer had become my driving force, eclipsing
the creative fulfilment that had once inspired me. I had transitioned from
writing for national dailies—pieces with a limited shelf life—to writing books,
believing they were more aligned with my aspiration for lasting recognition.
But one day, during our discussions, Raghu Rai shared something that changed my
perspective entirely. He said:
"On
a serious note, art and creativity, in their truest sense, bring a sense of
fulfilment and attainment. If you live fully and with a deep sense of
fulfilment, you achieve mukti (true freedom). When I work on a project, I
pursue it until I reach that ‘Aha!’ moment of perfection. I published a book on
Varanasi about fifteen years ago, and I’ve recently created another one that
gives me a feeling of completeness. I’m also working on a book about Delhi and
hope to finish it before I go. These books aren’t intended as legacies for the
world; whether people see them or not is immaterial. What matters is that I
leave with a sense of complete fulfilment.”
Hearing
this was like a wake-up call. I realized I had been walking the wrong path,
chasing recognition instead of striving for creative fulfilment. Raghu Rai’s
words reminded me that true art is about finding that “Aha!” moment, a sense of
completeness within oneself, not external validation.
The
second conversation that struck me was about the hunger for exploration. Raghu
Rai spoke passionately about the kind of curiosity and yearning one must have
to hone creativity:
"He
who hungers to live his life fully, who yearns to understand the intricacies of
nature, who craves to be brought face to face with the divine, like Mirabai
craved for Lord Krishna—that is the kind of passion and craving one must have.
My love and craving to explore and understand the world transcend my ‘self’ and
go beyond this world. It is this hunger that drives exploration. You must have
a hunger to learn. Without that hunger, you are merely a newsman, a recorder,
reproducing things without depth.”
These
words resonated deeply. They made me take stock of my own life philosophy,
forcing me to reassess what truly mattered. Raghu Rai’s unrelenting passion for
learning, his humility, and his focus on creative fulfilment inspired me to
pivot, to chase not fame, but a deeper understanding of my craft and the world
around me.
Q:
Any memorable quote that can be uplifting in trying times?
A:
There are several memorable quotes, but one in particular stands out as truly
uplifting, especially in trying times. It is Raghu Rai’s reflection on what
makes a great work of art:
"The
greatest work of art is one that doesn’t ask you questions, it doesn’t shake up
your emotions. The art which restores silence within you is the greatest art.
When you are one with yourself, there is silence. Mother would restore me and
make me one with myself. It is from her that I learnt the importance and
significance of silence."
He
elaborated further, connecting this silence with creativity and the divine:
"When
you connect with every inch of space, every energy, you are in a very silent
zone where the self becomes a sensor. This sensor of your soul is receiving and
ticking with the energy of the place. At such a time, a moment of intensity
comes and you experience magic. Your heart misses a beat. And the situation
acquires your heartbeat, and the moment has all the power of this heartbeat.
When you connect with the Divine, new spaces, new experiences open up."
This
quote captures the profound interplay of silence, connection, and creativity—a
guiding light for those seeking solace or inspiration during challenging times.
Q: What continuities are there
in your previous book Phoenix in Flames and this one?
A:
On the surface, there seems to be no continuity between Phoenix in Flames
and Raghu Rai: Waiting for the Divine. The former is a collection of
stories about ordinary women who, through resilience and grit, rise from the
ashes of pain and sorrow like the mythological phoenix. The latter is a memoir
of a celebrated photographer, Raghu Rai, who received the highest honour for
photography from the Acad├йmie des Beaux-Arts in Paris in 2019.
However,
a common thread connects both books: they are narratives of resilience, grit,
and dedication. In Phoenix in Flames, the protagonists are ordinary
women who achieve inner strength and transformation but remain unacknowledged
by the world. In contrast, Raghu Rai: Waiting for the Divine tells the
story of an extraordinary artist whose life, craft, and work are globally
celebrated. Despite this difference, the essence of rising above challenges and
pursuing one’s passion with determination links the two books.
Q:
Wishing you success, critical and commercial and hoping for more of such works
from you, works rooted in immediacy and social contexts that can be sources of
inspiration and empowerment. Thanks for your time.
A:
Thank you for your kind wishes, Sangeeta.
It was a pleasure to engage with such thoughtful questions that delve into the
significant aspects of Raghu Rai's memoir.
Short
resume: Rachna Singh
Rachna
Singh is a writer and the editor of The Wise Owl, a literary and art magazine
that provides a free platform for upcoming poets, writers and artists. Singh
was awarded the Nehru centenary scholarship to pursue a doctorate degree at
Cambridge University. However, a whimsical fate, beckoned and Singh joined the
Indian Revenue Service in 1991 instead. However, the call of the Muse was so
strong that after completing 30 years of service, she put in her papers to
pursue her passion for writing and other creative endeavours. Her last assignment was that of a Principal
Commissioner Income Tax Delhi. She is also working as Advisor to the Language
Panel Expert of the Lok Sabha Secretariat and mentoring Research Associates of
the Lok Sabha Secretariat.
The
travails of a demanding career notwithstanding, Singh has been penning articles
and book reviews for various National Dailies. She has authored two books on
economic issues, ‘Penny Panache: Piecing the Economic Puzzle’ (2016) and
‘Financial Felicity: Making Sense of Money Matters’ (2017). ‘Myriad
Musings’ (2016) is a collection of her published articles and travelogues.
‘The Bitcoin Saga: A Mixed Montage’ (Bloomsbury, 2019), the fourth book
from her stable, narrates the story of the birth and growth of cryptocurrencies
and the blockchain technology underpinning it. She has also curated and edited
two anthologies of poetry and short stories namely, The Repertoire &
The Collectibles: Eclectic Tales of 2023 and an e-Chapbook of poetry
called Ides of March. Her book ‘Phoenix in Flames’, is a
book about the fortitude and struggle for survival of 8 women protagonists from
different walks of life. Her latest title is Raghu Rai: Waiting for The
Divine, which is an authorised memoir of Raghu Rai, the legendary photographer.
