Entertainment · Books & Arts · 8 hrs ago
Pirelli’s 2027 calendar brings India’s past into its present
The 2027 Pirelli calendar pairs photographs by Avani Rai and Sølve Sundsbø, offering two views of India.
Rai’s work places large prints of her late father Raghu Rai’s photographs among people and streets in Delhi and Mumbai today.
Raghu Rai died while developing the project, and his daughter took over to complete it.
He was a leading Indian photojournalist whose work documented the country over many years.
The images bring India’s past into its present, as scenes and people from his archive meet contemporary city life.
Sundsbø’s photographs provide a contrasting perspective, shaped by his work as a Norwegian fashion photographer.
The calendar also became a way for Avani to carry forward her father’s idea while finding her own artistic voice.
It was presented in New Delhi on October 23; the sources give no further next steps.
Pirelli launched its 2027 calendar in New Delhi on 23 October, featuring photographs by Avani Rai and Sølve Sundsbø.
Avani Rai took over her father Raghu Rai’s part of the project after he died while developing its concept.
Her photographs place her father’s archival images alongside people and scenes in present-day India.
The calendar explores contrasts between India’s past and present, and between the photographers’ perspectives.
Sundsbø’s images and Rai’s work form two sides of the 53rd edition.
- Who
- Photographers Avani Rai and Sølve Sundsbø created the calendar. Avani is the daughter of photographer Raghu Rai.
- What
- Pirelli launched its 2027 calendar, featuring photographs that connect India’s past and present.
- When
- It was launched on 23 October 2026.
- Where
- The launch took place in New Delhi, India.
- Why
- The project uses photographs to explore India’s past and present; Avani Rai continued her father’s work after his death.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Raghu Rai died while the calendar project was under way.
Avani Rai took over his part of the project and developed its idea of bringing archival photographs into present-day settings.
Pirelli presented the calendar in New Delhi.
- Edition
- 53rd Pirelli calendar
- Photographers
- Avani Rai and Sølve Sundsbø
- Launch date
- 23 October 2026
- Launch location
- New Delhi, India
- Avani Rai’s subjects
- More than 130 models, people she met on the streets, dancers and artisans
3 sources
Dalle strade di Delhi ai palazzi dei maharaja: il Calendario Pirelli 2027 racconta le due anime dell’India. E dietro le immagini, la storia di un padre scomparso e della figlia che ne raccoglie l’eredità
Il nuovo Calendario Pirelli celebra l’India: The Cal 2027 è il racconto in tre scatti d’autore del Paese sospeso tra memoria e futuro
Calendário Pirelli mergulha na história da Índia em busca da beleza no caos
What people are saying
The past always continues to exist in the present, so I take a step back, literally and spiritually.
When life happens outside your door, as a photographer it is your duty to document it.
God of photography