Renowned AP Photographer Rajanish Kakade, Chronicler of Mumbai’s Vibrant Life, Passes Away at 55

NEW DELHI – Renowned Associated Press photographer Rajanish Kakade, celebrated for capturing the vibrancy of Mumbai’s political, cultural, and daily life scenes over the past two decades, has passed away at the age of 55.

Kakade died at his Mumbai residence on Monday after battling an illness, according to statements from his family.

Starting his career with the AP in 2008, Kakade was stationed in Mumbai, where he played a crucial role in documenting the essence of India’s bustling financial hub through his lens. Prior to his tenure with the AP, he honed his skills at the Sakal Group media conglomerate and the Hindustan Times newspaper.

The Mumbai Press Club paid tribute, stating, “His work was marked by integrity and sensitivity, capturing pivotal moments. As a mentor, he inspired many budding photographers, urging them to pursue truth with courage and empathy.”

Photography was a family tradition for Kakade, a third-generation photojournalist following in the footsteps of his grandfather and father, both esteemed in the same field.

At the AP, Kakade covered a wide range of assignments across India — from major political events, elections and sports to the deadly 2008 Mumbai militant attacks and the coronavirus pandemic. His images of ordinary life in Mumbai captured the rhythm of a rapidly evolving city, conveying both its vast scale and quiet intimacy.

AP colleagues described Kakade as a soft-spoken professional who was deeply committed to his craft.

Manish Swarup, AP’s chief photographer for South Asia, said Kakade “possessed that rare, quiet grace of a true observer.”

“He didn’t just take pictures; he earned the trust of those in his frame. That is why his photographs always stand out — they carry an intimacy and a truth that only a person of his character could capture,” Swarup said.

Swarup, who worked closely with Kakade for many years, said he was “more than a talented eye for The Associated Press,” describing him as “a steadfast friend and a cherished colleague.”

“We haven’t just lost a great photojournalist; we have lost a beautiful soul, whose kindness was as luminous as his work,” he said.

Yirmiyan Arthur, who oversees photos and storytelling for the AP in the Asia Pacific region, said Kakade “helped us understand everyday Mumbai, a city of contradictions, with utter honesty,” by chronicling its wealth and poverty, the joys and the heartbreaks of annual monsoons, and life inside its always hustling local trains.

“He was a son of Mumbai and made sure he told its story the right way,” said Arthur.

Kakade is survived by family members.