The Pirelli Calendar dedicates its 2027 edition to India. For the first time in the history of the cult calendar, two photographers with different artistic perspectives are working together: Norwegian fashion photographer Sølve Sundsbø (55) and Indian photographer Raghu Rai (1942-2026), or rather his daughter Avani Rai.
The project aims to showcase the diversity and complexity of the country and create a dialogue between a Western and an Indian perspective. While Sundsbø views India from an international perspective, Avani Rai captures the reality of the country from within.
Two Photographers, Two Perspectives
Sølve Sundsbø is known for his modern, clearly defined visual language and focuses primarily on portraits in his part of the calendar. For the photographer, it was quickly clear that he did not want to take on the task alone.
"I had no right to do it alone", Sundsbø explains in a press release. The collaboration with Raghu Rai had special significance for him: "When they said that Mr. Raghu Rai would be involved, it was for me as if he were some kind of god of photography."
Raghu Rai is considered one of India's most important photographers and documented the social and cultural development of his homeland for decades. After his death, his daughter Avani Rai took over his part of the project and continued the work in her father's spirit.
Avani Rai Continues Her Father's Legacy
Originally, Raghu Rai had planned to use older, previously unpublished photographs as a starting point and realize the series in a studio. However, his daughter decided to take a different path. "When I decided to continue the project, I felt that it belonged on the streets", says Avani Rai. She therefore moved the work to Old Delhi - to places that her father had also photographed during his decades-long career.
For her series, she worked with more than 200 people, including street artists, musicians, dancers, artisans and people from everyday life. Her mother Gurmeet Rai is also part of the images.
Prominent Names and Special Locations
Sundsbø's shots were taken, among other places, between the historic Jaigarh Fort and Ajabgarh in the state of Rajasthan. In front of his camera stood numerous well-known personalities, including actresses Aditi Rao Hydari and Avantika Vandanapu, actress and producer Freida Pinto, musician Anoushka Shankar, poet Rupi Kaur as well as entrepreneur and host Padma Lakshmi. Avani Rai herself is also part of the calendar's cast.
