'Vyarawalla photographed India's march to freedom with visual brilliance'

Homai Vyarawalla

Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni on Sunday expressed grief at the demise of India's first woman photo-journalist Homai Vyarawalla, who passed away at a private hospital in Vadodara.
In her condolence message, Soni said that Vyarawalla "created new benchmarks in the domain of photography. Her portrayal of visual images during the national movement had a deep impact on the minds of the people of this country".
"She photographed India's march to freedom with visual brilliance. Her photographs have etched in our memory even today. In her death, we have lost a creative genius," she said.
Vyarawalla, 98, had fallen from her cot three days ago and was hospitalised at a private hospital, officials said.
Her husband Maneckshaw Vyarawalla predeceased her in 1970.
Born on December 9, 1913 to a Parsi family, Vyarawalla grew up in Mumbai and moved to Delhi in 1942 where she photographed events leading to Independence, as an employee of the British Information Services.
She also photographed the first flag hoisting ceremony at Red Fort on August 15, 1947. She was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in January last year.