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Every picture eventually becomes history, capturing not just what's in the frame but the essence of the moment it preserves – the joy, the sorrow, the fleeting glimpse of something special.
The person behind the camera also becomes part of that story, forever linked to the memory they helped preserve.
Ramesh Shukla’s journey began far from the glitz and glamour of the Emirates, in the humble city of Ahmedabad, India.
Born in 1938, Shukla’s fascination with photography was ignited at the age of 14 when his father gifted him a Rolleicord camera on his birthday. This present ignited a passion that would shape his destiny. With a keen eye for detail and an insatiable curiosity, Shukla began capturing the world around him, honing his skills with each click of the shutter.
As a photojournalist, he was sent on assignments by Indian newspapers to document life in the region.
In 1965, at the age of 26, Shukla embarked on a journey that would change his life forever. Armed with a Rolleicord camera, 25 rolls of film, and just 50 rupees (AED2.20) in his pocket, he boarded a dhow (a traditional sailing vessel) from Mumbai to Sharjah, surviving on a few bananas for nearly 5 days.
Despite the challenges, Shukla arrived in the UAE, eager to document life in a land that was on the brink of transformation. His early days in Sharjah were filled with uncertainty, but fate had other plans for him. A local acquaintance directed him to the Sharjah camel racetrack, where a significant event was unfolding.
Amidst the crowd, Shukla noticed a group of distinguished men, including His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and His Highness Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum. Little did he know, he was capturing the nascent moments of a nation.
HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and HH Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum during a camel race.Ramesh Shukla
One of the most historic chapters in Shukla’s career was December 2, 1971, the day the UAE was created.
With his camera in hand, Shukla was just three feet away from His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan as he signed the unification documents. The images he captured that day became iconic, immortalizing the birth of a nation.
His photograph of the flag being hoisted is now featured on every 50 dirham note, a testament to the enduring significance of his work.
A picture taken by Ramesh Shukla on AED 50 bank noteShutterstock
A picture taken by Ramesh Shukla on AED 50 bank noteShutterstock
Shukla’s dedication to documenting the UAE’s journey didn’t go unnoticed. The royals affectionately bestowed upon him the title of Fannan, meaning artist in Arabic.
For 14 years, Shukla did not return to India, driven by a commitment to doing justice to his work and passion.
His legacy, meticulously preserved and archived by his wife and son, is now housed in the Etihad Museum in Dubai. The museum’s permanent exhibition of Shukla’s historical photographic collection serves as a testament to his remarkable contribution to the UAE’s heritage.
Shukla’s story is not just about a photographer; it’s about a man who saw the potential in a land and dedicated his life to capturing its evolution. His photographs are more than mere images; they are the visual history of a nation, a legacy that will continue to inspire generations to come.
Today, his extensive legacy encompasses eight books, each documenting the UAE’s extraordinary development through his lens, including The UAE – Formative Years 1965–75 and United Arab Emirates – The First 30 Years.
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