Rajan Devadas | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1921 (1921) Thiruvananthapuram,Kerala, India |
| Died | 26 December 2014(2014-12-26) (aged 92–93) Rockville, Maryland, USA |
| Occupation | Photojournalist |
| Known for | DocumentingIndia-US relations |
| Spouse | Kimiko |
| Children | Eight children |
| Awards | Padma Shri |
Rajan Devadas (1921-2014) was an Indian Americanphotojournalist[1][2][3] andGandhian,[4] known for his visual coverage ofIndia–United States relations for over 50 years.[5][6][7][8][9] He was the first accredited White House photographer of Indian origin.[4] Devadas was honored by theGovernment of India, in 2002, with the fourth highestIndian civilian award ofPadma Shri.[10]
Rajan Devadas was born in 1921 inThiruvananthapuram,[7] in the southern part of the Indian.[1][3][5] The death of his father made him shift to Calcutta (now Kolkata) and then to the temple town ofVaranasi inUttar Pradesh where he grew up.[4][7] He studied at theBanares Hindu University,[1][3] and after graduating from there, he joined the university as an administrative assistant.[1][3][7] He was a member of theIndian National Congress and was known to have participated in theIndian freedom movement.[4] Later, with the help of a few of his friends, he secured a scholarship in 1954 to study at thePendle Hill Quaker Center for Study and Contemplation for a one-year course.[3][6] Towards the end of the year, he boarded a ship to US and reached New York in January 1955.[1][11]
After completing the Pendle Hill Quaker course, Devadas joined theUniversity of Pennsylvania for two semesters[citation needed] and later at theTemple University for further studies.[6][7] This was followed by two courses at theNew School for Social Research, New York, one journalism and the other in public relations.[3][6][7] During his time at the institute, he developed a fascination for photography[7] and, on completion of the courses, joined theIndian Embassy in Washington as the official photographer.[3]
Devadas covered most of the major functions related toIndia–United States relations during his service with the Indian Embassy[12] which included all the visits by Indian Prime Ministers to US fromJawaharlal Nehru toManmohan Singh.[1][3][5][6][7][8] He was reported to have photographed all the US Presidents fromJohn F. Kennedy toGeorge W. Bush.[1][3][5][6][7][8] He also photographed many world leaders such asMargaret Thatcher,Sheikh Mujibur Rahman,Pope John Paul,Dalai Lama,Mother Teresa andJ. R. Jayewardene.[5][7][12] Many leading media houses such asIndia Abroad,Economic Times,India Today,Press Trust of India,Times of India,Illustrated Weekly of India,The Hindu,Hindustan Times,New York Times,Washington Post,UPI,Reuters andAl Ahram have published photos taken by Devadas.[6][7] An exhibition of his photos was organized at theCapital Children's Museum in Washington in 1989.[6]
Devadas died at age 93, on 26 December 2014, succumbing to a cardiac arrest[7] at his home atHebrew Home ofGreater Washington inRockville, Maryland.[1][3][5][6][8] He left behind his wife, Kimiko, two daughters, Kamal Cohen and Mina Devadas and six sons, Thambi, Anand, Asoka, Shyam, Arjun and Prem.[3][5][6][8]
He was awarded the civilian honour ofPadma Shri[7][8] by theGovernment of India in 2002.[1][5][6] The civil investiture ceremony was held in Chicago as he was unable to travel to India due to failing health.[3][7][8]
