New Delhi: The Indian Embassy in the UAE has mourned the passing of Ramesh Shukla, the legendary photographer who recorded UAE’s history, calling him “a true bridge between India and the UAE” whose legacy will live on through his work.
The embassy posted on X on Monday: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Shri Ramesh Shukla, the legendary photographer who chronicled the UAE’s history through his iconic lens. A true bridge between India and the UAE, his legacy lives on through his work. Deepest condolences to his family and friends.”
Renowned as the “royal photographer”, the 87-year-old Indian expat died Sunday morning at Rashid Hospital in Dubai after battling heart issues for a year.
Neel Shukla, his son, an art director, told Gulf News about his father’s long illness. A week ago he suffered a severe heart attack.
Ramesh Shukla’s wife Tarun Shukla helped process his negatives in the early days. From the day UAE was established an independent federation in 1971 union to everyday life in the desert nation, thousands of his photos fill museums like Etihad and Zayed National in the UAE.
Humble beginnings
In 1965, a 22-year-old Ramesh arrived in Sharjah by boat from Mumbai with Rs 50 (about Rs 2,000 today). He was also accompanied by a Rolleicord camera, gifted by his Gujarat-based father.
Exhausted after a five-day voyage, surviving on bananas, he napped near the port after missing the immigration procedure. A kind police officer helped him with the immigration papers at Sharjah Airport and also fed him.
Ramesh was fascinated by the hospitality and local attractions of UAE. He photographed the creek, boats and dhows and lateen-rigged ships.
He sent his photos to Indian magazines, which led to a huge interest in this rare glimpse of the Gulf. He established his own Neel Kamal studio with his family in Deira, named after his then 4-year-old son.
Path to royalty
His breakthrough came at a 1968 Sharjah camel race, where he photographed Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum.
He biked back, developed prints, and presented one to Sheikh Zayed, who signed it, calling him ‘fannan‘ (artist in Arabic). From that day on, he became the trusted photographer of the royal family.
At a separate instance, Sheikh Zayed, instead of signing, gave him a gold pen and told him to keep taking photos.
On 2 December 1971, at Union House, Ramesh arrived at 6 am, hands shaking as he captured Sheikh Zayed signing the UAE declaration from five feet away. It ended up becoming the picture depicted on the 50 Dinar UAE note.
His photograph of Sheikh Zayed standing in front of the UAE flag would go on to become the inspiration for the image that is now the ‘Spirit of the Union’ logo.
The photo became the icon of the UAE’s growth, as it was seen on all government offices, museums, metro stations, and on bumper stickers.
Adventures and legacy
In 1979, when Queen Elizabeth II visited the UAE, she did not initially pay heed to him, but due to his persistence, she smiled, and he was able to capture her sweetest smile for a solo portrait.
Another time, chasing a shot at a horse race, he was almost trampled. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Prime Minister of the UAE, saved him from the close encounter and scolded, “Are you trying to get yourself killed?”
Even in his 80s, Ramesh stayed active. He ran around with his camera and taught analog photography to Emiratis.
He published eight books, including ‘The UAE: 50 Years in Pictures’. He also left over 2,000 undeveloped film rolls from the 1970s-80s with candid shots of UAE rulers.
Recently, the family met President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid to showcase their history. Neel vows to preserve it. “He was always positive, full of life, his camera kept him going till the end.”
(Edited by Viny Mishra)
Also read: What the UAE President’s sudden visit to India reveals about regional strategic trust