ARJUN BHAGAT TAKES A SNAPSHOT OF RAGHU RAI'S LIFE by Mihir Srivastava
- Mihir Srivastava
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
Arjun Bhagat is friends with Raghu Rai for 37 years, and they are 30 years apart in age. How it all started makes a beautiful story, is a snapshot of Raghu's life, makes a pretty picture.
Raghu, a colossal photographer; his images are the visual history of our times. We lost India’s best, Raghu, at the age of 83, earlier this week. And his friend Arjun, one of the pioneers of television journalism in India, started the popular show Crime Patrol amongst others, was an anchor with India Today, started early.
As a conscientious teenager, would fly about in his red racing cycle to places. The curious cat that he was, (still is) wanted to know more, and understand how things happen or are done; he’d make it a point to attend exhibitions and events in central Delhi—where he lived with his parents and an elder brother. He ventilated his views in writing and pictures, mostly on environmental issues, many of them were published in the leading dailies and periodicals.
On one such trip to an event at India International Centre, if Arjun’s memory serves him well, he met Raghu ji—as he'd address him. This was 1989 and he was 16 years old. He took the opportunity to introduce himself, his interests.
Raghu, at that point in time, was mobbed by people, therefore, was not the best venue to have a conversation going with Arjun. So, he extended an invite to Arjun, who took him up on that offer. Within a couple of weeks, Arjun cycled to Raghu’s place—D-1|1, Rabindra Nagar—and knocked on his door.
They met and took a liking to each other. Raghu called his wife, Meeta, to introduce Arjun: 'see who has come—Chhota ladka (a young lad).’ Meeta, a conservation architect, walked in, and they had a good time. This was the beginning of a lifelong friendship.
Arjun would spend a lot of time in his house, and was shown the inhouse dark-room. He got all the encouragement and remained a Chhota ladka for Raghu, perpetually. Subsequently, Raghu was invited by Arjun’s parents—Arun (a senior cop) and Livleen Bhagat—to their house; Khushwant Singh with his wife was also there. They were now family friends.
After 34 years of Arjun’s (as a 16 year old) many travels with Raghu, Arjun receives a picture from the master on WhatsApp, Arjun is seen on an elephant back in the middle of jungle at Dudhwa National Park, taken by Raghu sitting on another elephant, with the caption: Chhota ladka. Arjun was thrilled. Past came alive in a flash. Arjun has always remained a Chhota ladka to him.
As Arjun got to know more of Raghu's work, he was keen to understand how he works, and, in the process, learn the craft from the master. “I want to do an internship with you,” Arjun volunteered in the summer of 1990. Raghu, with the concurrence of the Bhagats, agreed.
Arjun made 5 trips with Raghu that year—Dudhwa and Gir national parks, Khajuraho, amongst other places. For the first time, he was chaperoned by an adult, subsequently he travelled alone, took an overnight bus from Delhi to reach Khajuraho, and a train to reach Junagarh--here he was taken ill; was down with a high fever. Raghu gave him a couple of paracetamol tablets and assured he’d be fine. Arjun was ready for the adventure next morning, which included a close shave with a lion—literally.
Arjun assisted Raghu, and at one time, didn’t place the pictures reels at their designated places, which caused some confusion at the time of shoot, peeved Raghu. Arjun was left on a machan (watchtower) with another person, in the middle of the forest, overlooking a waterhole, for a good part of the afternoon. Later, a jeep came to fetch them. This was Raghu's way of making sure that he learned the lesson. To be with Raghu was a great learning curve. And some of the pictures Arjun took, mostly monochrome, won him the appreciation of the master.
These trips were made for the famous assignment with the National Geographic; the story was penned down by Geoffrey C. Ward. Raghu’s picture was the cover of National Geographic Magazine issue of May 1992.
Arjun’s mentor, Raghu, was mentored by none other than Henri Cartier-Bresson. Raghu was nominated to the prestigious Magnum Photos cooperative by Henri—the first Indian to receive this honour. This happened a decade before Arjun met Raghu.
After 34 years of Arjun’s many travels with Raghu, Arjun receives a picture from the master on WhatsApp, Arjun on an elephant back in the middle of jungle at Dudhwa National Park, taken by Raghu sitting on another elephant, with the caption: Chhota ladka. Arjun was thrilled. Past came alive in a flash.
In all these years, Arjun went to the US for higher studies, worked for India Today group by that time Raghu had already left, later founded his own production house in his late twenties, got married and started a family, all this while they were in touch, off and on.
I have had a few occasions to make acquaintance with Raghu, also at Arjun’s place in Rabindra Nagar. It was nice to talk to him. Aman Nath, founder of the Neemrana Hotels, was there as well. Poking fun at my tryst with nudity, Aman announced to Raghu, rather loudly for others to hear, that I want to sketch him in the nude. No such offer was made, but it raised many eyebrows; I forced a smile.
Raghu wanted to know more, so I explained my hobby of documenting humanity without the qualification of clothing to him. He was all ears, and just said, ‘interesting,’ which was barely audible. “We will meet soon,” he added, a little louder, as an afterthought. That didn’t happen.
Now Arjun lives in Rabindra Nagar, in the same locality as Raghu’s. While taking his dogs for a walk, he often passes by Raghu’s erstwhile house. The Chhota ladka feels his strong presence. His mortal being will be missed for a long time by Arjun, family and friends, and many of his admirers.
All said and done: Well lived, Raghu!
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