Ramesh Shukla, the Indian expatriate widely known as the “royal photographer” who chronicled the UAE’s history, died on Sunday at the age of 87 following a cardiac arrest at Rashid Hospital, his family confirmed. He had been battling heart problems over the past year but continued working with unwavering dedication until his final days.
His son, Neel Shukla, said that even in hospital his father remained energetic and spoke about his work shortly before his sudden cardiac arrest.
Tributes poured in across the UAE, led by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who praised Ramesh Shukla’s immense contribution to documenting the nation’s defining moments.
For more than six decades, Shukla chronicled the UAE’s journey from quiet desert settlements to a global hub. More than a photographer, he was a witness to history, shaping how generations remember the country’s transformation.
He arrived in the Emirates in 1965 from Mumbai with little money and a single Rolleicord camera, years before the UAE was formed. His breakthrough came while photographing a camel race in Sharjah attended by Sheikh Zayed and other rulers, which earned him trust and access to major state occasions. Though never formally appointed, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum later referred to him as the “royal photographer” in recognition of his role in documenting the nation’s milestones.
Among his most iconic images are Sheikh Zayed signing the Union declaration on December 2, 1971, and the famed “Spirit of the Union” photograph of the founding fathers beneath the UAE flag, now featured on the Dh50 note. His vast archive is preserved at institutions including the Etihad Museum and the Zayed National Museum.
