The famous Photojournalist Tarapada Banerjee passed away on Wednesday morning at 7:30 AM, this has deeply saddened both the cultural world and the journalistic community of Bengal.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee conveyed her heartfelt condolences through her X Handle, highlighting, Tarapada Bannerjee had special connections with newspapers and acknowledged his photographs published in various publications as a valued contribution to the field.
The news of Bannerjee’s demise deeply saddened both his family and the journalist community. His long and distinguished journalistic career, marked by his masterful lens, produced a treasure trove of iconic photographs. Some of his notable works are the widely recognized photograph of Mrinal Sen sprawled on the black road, again the photograph capturing the attack on Mamata Banerjee at Hazra crossing from a moving scooter proves his efficacy as a journalist once more.
Mamata shared her grief on her X handle with a message: “Sad to know about the demise of Tarapada Banerjee, the pre-eminent news photographer of our times. I knew Tarapadada well and greatly liked his coverage of great events and personalities. In his photos were captured an alternative commentary of contemporary history. I personally remember him as the only photographer who took the picture (from a running scooter) of CPM goons trying to murder me in Hazra More in South Calcutta , when I was in opposition! My sincere condolences to his family, friends and admirers.”
Debashis Roy, former photojournalist of ‘Anandabazar Patrika’, reminisces, “Tarada was an incredible individual, he was unafraid to take any risk to capture the perfect picture, undeterred by obstacles as he tirelessly pursued his craft.
Once Tarada, determined to capture a photo of Ravi Shankar at Jorasanko, although nobody was allowed to be present on the stage, he defied restrictions and darted past security, his persistence rewarded with a breathtaking image of the sitar maestro framed by the mansion’s grand pillars.
Raghu Rai, an admirer of Tarapada Banerjee, described his films as enchanting, particularly praising his masterful use of light. One striking example was when photographing the Trinayan painting of Durga, where the shadow of the artist’s hand disappeared from the idol’s face in Banerjee’s pictures, leaving viewers puzzled by his seemingly magical technique. Even today, Banerjee’s effortless capture of moments like Shankh Ghosh in a lungi or the solitude within a supposedly bustling classroom serves as a valuable lesson for aspiring photojournalists.
Tapas Kumar Seal, a dedicated admirer of Banerjee, highlighted Banerjee’s remarkable commitment to his works, he said, “nobody could ever forget Tarada’s images of the storm in Dantan, Medinipur”. Banerjee’s unwavering dedication to his craft was apparent as he fearlessly put his life at risk to capture the essence of his subjects.
Tarapada Banerjee would become a magician whenever he put his eyes to the lens.Even after Banerjee’s departure on Wednesday morning, the enchanting magic he conjured through his lens endures, leaving behind a legacy that will persist into the future.
The esteemed photojournalist and photographer, Tarapada Banerjee, passed away at the age of 78. He was born in Kolkata in 1946, he left behind a legacy of captivating imagery.The late photographer, renowned for his lifelong dedication to photography. He started his career in this profession after completing his formal education and excelled in both photojournalism and commercial photography. Notably, he served as Satyajit Ray’s personal photographer, the photograph featuring Madhavi Mukhopadhyay and Satyajit Ray, captured by him, received overwhelming acclaim. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee conveyed her condolences for his passing via social media.
In addition to his adeptness in photography, he demonstrated effortless skill in writing as well. His book ‘Satyajit-er Din Ratri’ published in 2020, not only features 156 pictures and personal anecdotes from the renowned director’s work but also captures numerous special moments through his lens. Furthermore, his collection of stories titled ‘Tiktikiki,’ released in 2022, artfully portrays the diverse array of experiences he encountered throughout his career.
