Dear Daddy,

Not even one day goes by without a fond thought of you. I miss sharing my new experiences, new cameras, new friends and companions with you. Your enthusiastic smile and encouragement has always been my incentive to do more and to push myself to be better. Though you were a perfectionist and often a hard task master, you forced me to find the very best within myself. I’m grateful for the many lessons, pursuit of intelligence and historic experiences that you shared with me throughout our lives. You were and will always be my best friend. 

Always you loving son,
Anand

It has been over 6 years since I have had the courage to write something about my dear father, since his passing. There are never enough words to express the hurt from his passing, nor the silence of his melodic voice. 

He was much more than my father, he was my Buddy. As his young apprentice in photography, we worked for hours and days and weeks together. He taught me that there was never an end to how much a photograph could be improved and that the "pursuit of perfection" was the only key to quelling the artistic beast in us. 

Though I could not understand the need for perfection upon what was seemingly "okay", when I was younger, I now know in my later years that the pursuit of artist perfection, was the key to distinction of one's work. 

These early lessons not only made me a better photographer, but manifested itself into life long habits that set me apart from the crowd. 

Whenever he would push his subjects to pose for that ever perfect shot, at the risk of irritating everyone being photographed, the end result would always justify the means. When every other photographer would conveniently stand to the side to catch a "picture", he would stand on a table, with his suit and tie, weighted down with heavy cameras and get that one unique artistic image that would be the cover photograph for the newspapers. 

He taught me that contentment in life was just our laziness in disguise. Most importantly, that sometimes it is worth standing out "on a table in life", in order to achieve a result that no one else will try, nor achieve.

These fundamental lessons continue with me today in every aspect of my life; The quest to rise above all others, despite the criticism from those who would play it safe. 

I miss my Daddy every day. His voice and lessons of life are forever with me. 

I sit in silence when I am thinking about Rajan Bhai. He can never be forgotten by most of us. His welcoming smile encouraged us to talk about his day or Kimiko San, or Anand/Prachi or community news. What I will like to feel humility and hope when I am thinking of him. We both miss him-I wish if I could talk to Kimiko. Could Anand or Prachi connect us to her-my phone no. is 301-984-2127. Thank you. Sarla/Vinod

I,Viswanath Pillai, convey my respects to the great soul through this column

Rajan Uncle’s one of the oldest friends and my dearest father Mr. T. P. M Pillai left for his heavenly abode on 17 Jan 2017... Now dear Rajan Uncle..... you can spend time with your friend and relive all your Banaras Hindu University moments in heaven...love Jayashree ❤️

My respects for him

I am the son of Sri T.P.Madhavan Pillai. I remember him very dearly and miss him.

Dear Prachi, Anand, and Toshiro,

Words cannot define Rajanbhai and Kimiko San. Vinod and I were frequent visitors to their home and Kimiko San will nod her head with affection. We did not have to call him if we can come and they both seemed delighted and affectionately received us. That is what we both wished to cherish until we both say goodbye to life. 

Toshiro--I met you at your grandfather's 90th birthday luncheon. He was a celebrity in the photo world and yet was genuinely simple, hospitable and modest. Let us cherish his memories and endeavor to follow the virtuous path.

Vinod and Sarla Prakash

Although I only had the opportunity to meet Mr. Devadas a few times, I could tell that he was a truly gentle, caring, and intelligent man. I am so sorry for your loss. The Devadas family is in my thoughts and prayers.

Though we did not know Mr Devadas personally, the loving and devotional son and daughter-in-law he has in Anand and Prachee is a real testament to the person he was in his life. His legacy will truly live on through them. Vivek and Radhika

Deepest condolences to the Devadas family. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

From Gopal Pal


PADMA SHRI RAJAN DEVADAS


On the occasion of this Memorial Service April 12, 2015 for my friend Rajan Devadas, who passed away on December 26, 2014 in Rockville, MD, I would like to pay this tribute to a kind, humble and soft spoken human being who was a White House and Indian Embassy photo journalist par excellence.

Rajan Devadas was born in Kerala in 1921, graduated from Benares Hindu University and became active in the Indian Freedom Movement. He came to United States in 1955 and joined the University of Pennsylvania and Temple University for further studies in journalism and public relations. He took up the hobby of photography and became a talented photographer. He later joined the Indian Embassy as its official photographer and became White House Photographer as well. During this time, there were only a small number of Indians living in Washington metropolitan area, but he was very successful in building a network among Indians and subsequently became very much involved in many Indian cultural and societal events. He covered all Indian Prime Ministers from Nehru to Manmohan Singh as well as those concurrent Indian Ambassadors to US. He was the first Indian Journalist who had the privilege of covering many U.S. Presidents from John F. Kennedy to Barack Obama. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2002 for his long, illustrious and dedicated contribution as a photo Journalist.
I got to know Rajan Devadas when I came to Washington DC in 1968 and we became good friends, ever since I started the Washington DC chapter of the National Association of Americans of Asian Indian Descent (NAAAID). He became the Pro Bono official photographer/journalist of the NAAAID Washington DC chapter and covered all our meetings and functions and our contacts with President Ronald Reagan, Vice President George H. W. Bush, and then Majority Leader Senator Robert Dole. He was superb in covering the grand NAAAID 1984 Convention in Atlantic City NJ attended by about 3000 Indians from all over the US. I can never forget the time and effort he contributed in covering our activities and cataloging his photographs as a history of our NAAAID chapter. 

Padma Sri Rajan Devadas certainly is a celebrated icon in Indian American History here in U.S and as a son of Kerala he is one among us who has made a mark among Indians.

I consider myself very fortunate to have met such an exemplary human being as Rajan Devadas. I convey my sympathies to Kimiko and children. You know how they say “ every great man has a great woman behind him ”.
A job well done and a life truly lived, my friend! Rest in Peace Dear Rajan Devadas.
Gopal Pal

Mr. Rajan Devadas was a great individual always so dignified and a perfect gentleman. His remembrance is with us with many fond memories. Rama Deva"

"A gentle soul whose presence will be truly missed and the void left will be irreplaceable. My humble respects to a great man - a man I called Dad."

Vijayan

When I think of Grandpa, I remember my first memory of him. He introduced me to his magnifying glass. It was so fascinating to be able to look at things up close without having to squint my eyes. However that also taught me that while details are important, one must never lose sight of the big picture.

Thank you for all you have done, Grandfather. You will be missed dearly.

Toshiro Arjun Devadas

My wife and I who have known Padma Shree RD for the last 50+ years, is saddened at his departure, is equally saddened at not being able to attend the Memorial Service. Our prayers are with you and the RD Family knowing full well that dear Rajan enjoys eternal bliss and we WILL see his charming face in the world to come when we are summoned to report to our Creator.

We still cherish the Wedding Pictures P.S.Devadas had taken of our daughter and the delicious Masala Dosai he so delicately prepared for our enjoyment when we went to collect the pictures from his residence. He was a humble human being who instantly commanded respect and attention. a person who always found time to exchange a few words of love, affection and regard for you. A humble simple and giant of a person who instantly earned your respect and regard from the very first word he uttered with his genuine outgoing personality.

Most Respectfully,

Varkey V. Kallarakal Realtor Emeritus

We send our sincere and respectful thoughts for the occasion. We will be going to Varanasi and will pray for Rajanji at a quiet spot by the Ganga. With best wishes,

Mangala Narlikar.

It has been a personal loss for me. I will always cherish his memory.

Ishrat Husain.

My husband Tony and I have such warm, loving memories of Padma. He lives on in love. Connie

Brother Devadas. was the first and best friend in the US since I migrated from India in August 1959. His genuine smiles and generous hospitality will always remain in my heart. Dr. E.G. Moses

We feel honored to participate in celebrating the life of Shri Rajan who lives in our hearts. Mr. & Mrs. Venkatraman

Mr. Devadas was a warm and kind gentleman who we were proud to name as family. His humility, wealth of experiences with famous dignitaries of his time, his depth and gentleness made him a great pleasure to be with. We shall miss him greatly.

Padmasri Rajan Devadas was a man with all the human qualities that was incorporated in his outstanding career to make him "Great".He was a humble,yet very refined and intellectual persona coupled with unlimited ability to nurture friendships and close relationships with his fellow human beings from all walks of life .He firmly believed in Swami Vivekananda's immortal words that"to reach God, one must serve fellow human beings".He was the true disciple of Mahatma Gandhi in incorporating Ahimsa(non-violence) in his life's long journey respecting all the religions.To me he was our Mahatma Gandhi and his wife Kimiko as Kasturba.It was one of my greatest honors knowing this noble and humble human being for over 40 years and getting inspired with his sincere love and affection.He touched many lives.Even he and Kimiko visited my mother in Durgapur,India when she was 96 years old and he captured the last picture of my mother.He was not only a brother to me(as I fondly called him Dada(elder brother) but also a friend,a mentor,an advisor ,a guide as well as a well wisher.He never missed any event in our home or any event organized by me.On many occasions he played his favorite Harmonica and sang Indian National Anthem.(Jana Mana ) when he was 90 years old.He was a true patriot as he never changed his Indian Citizenship.Although he left India at an early age to pursue higher education at Pendle Hills,India never left him.Before I went to India,I went to seek his blessings for my visit to India .At that time he perhaps knew that his time is nearing.He talked about his wife Kimiko ,how she sacrificed her life to take good care of him .He likened her as his second mother.He was very proud to share his joys and happiness with me that all his children are doing so well and how proud he is seeing all of them happy and well established.His only disappointment was that he could not see his memoir being published with hundreds of rare photographs of Presidents,Prime Ministers,Kings,Queens,Foreign Ministers,Mother Teresa,Dalai Lama and the like that he captured through his powerful lenses .He thanked me for Chairing and Organizing Rajan Devadas Photographic Exhibitions not only in Capital Children's Museum but also in may parts of USA generating great interest in India.Although he is physically no more but his memories and creative works will remain shining like evening stars making him immortal.May His Great Soul Rest in Peace.
Sambhu Banik