Raghubir Singh Modernism on the Ganges

In the New York Times, critic Teju Cole offered this appreciation of the work of Indian–born photographer Raghubir Singh (1942—1999): "Singh gives us photographs charged with life: not only beautiful experiences or painful scenes but also those in–between moments of drift that make up most of our days." This richly illustrated volume, the first in–depth study of Singh's work, situates it at the intersection of Western modernism and traditional South Asian modes of picturing the world. A major practitioner of color street photography, Singh captured images that demonstrate the diverse culture of India. Raghubir Singh features over 100 of his photographs—in counterpoint with the work of such influences as Henri Cartier–Bresson and Lee Friedlander and with images of traditional South Asian artworks that inspired his practice—providing an extensive overview of the artist's career. With its vibrant plates and insightful essays, this publication brilliantly illustrates Cole's assessment that Singh's work draws "breathtaking coherence out of the chaos of the everyday."