Capturing History: The Legendary Journey of Ramesh Shukla
At 85, Ramesh Shukla’s life story reads like an epic saga of perseverance, passion, and artistry. His journey began at the tender age of 26, when he left the bustling city of Bombay (now Mumbai) with a dollar in his pocket and a few rolls of film in his bag. His destination? The Trucial States, a collection of small sheikhdoms that would later become the United Arab Emirates (UAE). From Humble Beginnings to Iconic Moments Shukla’s arrival in Dubai was far from glamorous. Hitching rides on a donkey cart and a motorbike, he reached a dusty fishing village surrounded by endless desert. The harsh conditions did not deter him; instead, they fueled his determination. Without access to water or electricity, Shukla immersed himself in the lives of the locals, capturing the essence of fisherfolk, pearl divers, and camel drivers through his lens. Change was on the horizon as oil discoveries began to reshape the region. Shukla’s big break came in 1968 when he photographed sheikhs at a c...