Rajan Devadas, a photojournalist who chronicled the history of U.S. – India relations and the Indian-American community over a half century died Dec. 26 at the Hebrew Home of Greater Washington. He was 93.
Born May 29, 1921, in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, Devadas is remembered not just for his accomplishments in photojournalism but for his humanity. Till the end, he remained an Indian citizen, but considered the U.S. his home.
Devadas came to the U.S. in 1955 after graduating from Banaras Hindu University. He attended Pendle Hill Quaker Center for Study and Contemplation and New School for Social Research. As a photojournalist he documented the U.S. visits of every Indian prime minister — from Jawaharlal Nehru to Manmohan Singh.
He also photographed countless dignitaries, including every American president –from John F. Kennedy to George W. Bush. His photos were published by dozens of news organizations worldwide, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, UPI, Reuters, and numerous Indian and other publications.
For a number of years, Devadas worked as the official photographer of the Embassy of India in Washington, D.C. In 2002, he received the Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian honors.
Devadas gave countless hours to supporting and strengthening Indo-American relations through his volunteer activities with many organizations. Besides documenting diplomatic events, he enjoyed photographing the world around him with particular interest in children and nature.
In 1989, then Indian Ambassador to the United States P.K. Kaul inaugurated an exhibition of Devadas’ work at the Capital Children’s Museum in Washington, D.C. The exhibition showcased images illuminating various aspects of life in India — its people, places, art, architecture, and landscape, with a special segment of photographs of Indian children.
Beloved husband of Kimiko, Devadas is survived by two daughters: Kamal Cohen (Barry) and Mina Devadas; six sons: Prem Devadas (Donna), Anand Devadas (Prachee), Asoka Devadas (Rose), Shyam Devadas, Arjun Devadas, and Thambi Devadas; 10 grandchildren; and, a host of relatives and friends.
A private family service was scheduled to be held immediately, followed by a public celebration in 2015 honoring his life. The family suggests instead of flowers, contributions in Devadas’ memory be sent to the Gandhi Memorial Center in Washington, DC, 4748 Western Avenue; Bethesda, MD 20816, USA.
Gentleman Photographer
I got to know Rajan in the late 1980s when I was the Chief Correspondent for India Abroad in Washington, D.C. He taught me whatever little I know about photography. Not only did he try to teach his art, his generosity knew no bounds. He virtually gave away for a song several lenses he thought would help me in my reporting.
My most pleasant memories are of visiting him and his wife Kimiko at their home which in summer was surrounded by banana plants laboriously cut down, preserved in the cellar, and replanted every year to make a wondrous ring edging the front yard evoking his tropical birthplace Kerala but also displaying Kimiko’s Japanese touch which made the corner home look like a paradise awash with flowers of every hue imaginable.
He and Kimiko gifted me one of those banana plants which I enjoyed and managed to keep alive for many years in my home.
Needless to say, I treasure a collection of his artistic photographs as memories.
He also took some of the most memorable photos of me with my then one-year old daughter that I save to this day.
I remember Rajan as friend who exuded a kind and gentle spirit. He was generous to a fault and a gentleman to boot. As a person he will be missed by all those who knew him, while his work will always be a part of diplomatic history.