South Asian photographer Chandra Bodalia breathed his last today after a long fight against throat cancer. A popular photographer within the Indo-Canadian community, Bodalia have covered diverse events within the community and beyond.
His dedication and love for photography was such that he was popularly known as the ‘smile catcher’.
Bodalia immigrated to Vancouver in 1976 and started as a photojournalist. Over the years, he has travelled throughout the province to cover various events while creating memories along the way. He is said to have a large collection of more than three million images in his library. He has been awarded more than 20 times for his photography skills.
Bodalia was a well-known and loved media photographer with top BC personalities, including former Prime Minister Stephen Harper, knowing him personally.
On Bodalia's death, Minister of Finance and MLA for Abbotsford West Mike de Jong said, "This morning we lost a good friend and member of the community, Chandra Bodalia. Chandra was a cheerful and faithful recorder and compiler of the pictorial history of the South Asian community throughout the lower mainland. From Vaisakhi celebrations, to weddings, to events, and functions, he would be there with his shutter clicking – recording and preserving the memories of generations. Chandra didn’t distinguish between royalty and regular folks, devoting the same care and attention to all the people and scenes he photographed. As one who knew hard work and sacrifice, he believed it important that the work and sacrifices of others be recorded and acknowledged. Through his lens he caught the smiles and tears of a generation.I was proud to call Chandra my friend, and he will be missed by so many of us. Our thoughts, prayers and condolences are with his family and many friends."
Image: Chandra Bodalia (centre) with his family
