India's first woman photojournalist Homai Vyarawala dead

Vadodara: India's first woman photojournalist Homai Vyarawala, who captured the flag hoisting ceremony at Red Fort on August 15, 1947 and several historic events, died at a private hospital here this morning at the age of 98.

The 2011 Padma Vibhushan winner fell from her bed three days ago and was admitted at a private hospital, doctors said.

Her husband Maneckshaw Vyarawala predeceased her. She is survived by her ailing daughter-in-law, who stays in Jamshedpur.

Born on December 9, 1913 to a Parsi family, Vyarawala 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.

Her work that spanned four decades included both the euphoria of the Independence as well as the disillusionment with undelivered promises in the new nation state.

She was the only professional woman photojournalist between 1939 and 1970, as she survived the male-dominated field, making her presence more significant because of the codes of this profession that largely continue to exclude women even today.

She took photographs of key events that would have a decisive impact on Indian history, including a meeting where leaders voted for the June 3 plan for India's partition.

She also photographed the departure of Lord Mountbatten from India and the funerals of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Lal Bahadur Shastri.