From Mumbai to Dubai: The Legendary Story of Ramesh Shukla

Now 85, Shukla’s life story is legendary. At 26, he left Bombay (now Mumbai) and arrived in the Trucial States (now the UAE) with only a dollar and a few rolls of film. He hitched rides on a donkey cart and a motorbike to Dubai, then a dusty fishing village surrounded by desert.

Living without water or electricity, Shukla documented the lives of fisherfolk, pearl divers, and camel drivers. Change was imminent, as oil discoveries began transforming the region. Shukla’s big break came in 1968 when he photographed sheiks at a camel race in Sharjah. Among them was Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the “founding father” of the UAE. Sheikh Zayed praised Shukla as an artist, who changed his life forever.

Shukla began attending official events and developing friendships with the royals. In 1970, his wife and son joined him in Dubai. They lived simply, with their one-room home serving as a living room, kitchen, and darkroom. Shukla’s wife played a crucial role in his work, helping him develop photos with meticulous notes on lighting, exposure, and shutter speed.

On December 2, 1971 Shukla captured a historic moment: the signing of the formed the United Arab Emirates. His photo of Sheikh Zayed signing the declaration is iconic, even appearing on the 50-dirham note to celebrate the nation’s 50th anniversary.

Throughout the 1970s, ’80s, and ’90s, Shukla documented Dubai and the Emirates, leaving behind hundreds of undeveloped rolls of film. With the help of his son he is now sharing them in exhibitions.

Shukla and his son Neel have also started a darkroom lab to teach the next generation of Emirati photographers the art of analog photography. The year-long masterclass, free through Dubai Culture, aims to preserve these skills in the digital age.

Ramesh Shukla’s photography has been compiled into books and showcased in exhibitions, cementing his legacy as a vital witness to the UAE’s formation.