Photographer S Paul bids goodbye with his camera

Celebrated photographer S Paul, who died two days before his 87th birthday, left all his mortal belongings behind, except one -- his camera.

Paul's illustrious career spanned several decades, during which he shot some iconic images, capturing the dramatic quality of nature and human behaviour with equal aplomb.

His love for photography was so intense that he always sported a camera around his neck. So, in his death, his family accorded him his most cherished treasure, the camera that served as his friend, philosopher and guide.

The 86-year-old photographer, who was born on August 19, also celebrated as World Photography Day, was today cremated at the Nigambodh Ghat here in the presence of his family, friends and admirers.
 

"As his body was being put into the crematorium, his son put one of his cameras on his chest, a symbolic and loving gesture that perhaps could be captured only through a lens, more than through words. It was a gesture befitting for a man who lived and loved photography," said a photographer and family friend who attended the funeral.

Paul died last night at a private hospital. He had been ailing for the last few months.

The elder brother of renowned photographer Raghu Rai, he leaves behind an enviable body of work.

In an interview to a photo magazine, Paul had once said, "Each of my photographs is like a child to me. I cannot compare them nor say that this one is better than the other."

Photographer Ram Rahman also reminisced of his career and recalled the monochrome and colour photographs, many of which became celebrated images showcased at various exhibitions.

Born in 1930 in Pakistan, Paul moved to India after the Partition.

His affair with the camera began when he bought his first one -- a Zeiss Ikon Nettar -- and The All-in-One Camera Book, which he read from cover to cover over one night.

The affair soon turned into a passion and eventually translated into a career that earned him awards and accolades, at home and abroad.

He served in the photo department of the 'Indian Express' for over 25 years, retiring from the paper in 1989 as its chief photographer.

Other than the awards to his credit, his work was widely published across the world.

He remained a prolific photographer till the end. And the last image of the photographer was, as always, with a camera on his chest.