Homai Vyarawalla: India’s First Woman Photojournalist

1.1 Who was Homai Vyarawalla?

Homai Vyarawalla was India’s first woman photojournalist. She was born in Navsari, Gujarat, in 1913. She died in Vadodara in January 2012, aged 98.

She photographed the first flag hoisting of independent India at the Red Fort. She received the Padma Vibhushan in 2011.

2.1 How did she begin?

She studied at St Xavier’s College and the Sir J.J. College of Art in Bombay. She learned photography from Maneckshaw Vyarawalla, a freelance photographer. She later married him.

Her early photographs ran under his name.

3.1 What was Dalda 13?

Dalda 13 was her pseudonym. She invented it herself. She thought 13 was her lucky number.

She published most of her photographs under this name.

4.1 Why did she move to Delhi?

In 1942 she moved to Delhi. She worked as a photographer for the British Information Services. She spent nearly three decades of her career in Delhi.

She was the only professional woman photojournalist in India in her time.

5.1 What did she photograph?

She photographed independent India’s first flag hoisting at the Red Fort. Jawaharlal Nehru was her favourite subject.

In 1956 she photographed the Dalai Lama entering India through Sikkim.

6.1 When did she stop?

She retired in 1970. Her husband had died in 1969. She also spoke of not wanting to be part of the crowd any more.

Sources give both reasons. No single reason explains it.

7.1 Which honours did she receive?

In 2010 she received the first National Photo Award for Life Time Achievement. Vice President Hamid Ansari presented it on 19 August 2010.

In 2011 she received the Padma Vibhushan, in Art, from Gujarat. President Pratibha Patil presented it on 1 April 2011.

Exams like this trap. Award 2010, Padma 2011.

8.1 Where is her work now?

She entrusted her archive to the Alkazi Foundation for the Arts in Delhi. The foundation published Camera Chronicles of Homai Vyarawalla in 2010.

Google marked her 104th birthday with a Doodle on 9 December 2017.

9.1 Which facts do students mix up?

• Born 1913, Navsari. Died January 2012, Vadodara.
• National Photo Award 2010. Padma Vibhushan 2011.
• Early work ran under her husband’s name. Dalda 13 was her own pseudonym.
• She was a photojournalist, not a painter like Amrita Sher-Gil.