Established in 1964 and recognized for partnering with some of the most renowned photographers globally, the exclusive annual Pirelli calendar, commonly known as The Cal™, has chosen India as its focus for the 2027 edition. This edition will be a collaborative effort between Norwegian photographer Sølve Sundsbø and the late Indian icon Raghu Rai, who recently passed away on April 26 after contributing to the project for several months. A statement regarding the release noted, “In the past three months, Mr. Rai devoted his efforts to creating an original series of photographs that encapsulate his cultural heritage and vision of India for the calendar.”

Following Rai’s death, his daughter Avani Rai, who is also a photographer, will play a pivotal role in bringing her father’s vision to fruition. “The work my father created for Pirelli was a homage to India — merging his lifelong vision with a contemporary portrayal of its people and their diversity, which he always found captivating. The thought of it remaining unfinished is unbearable. Realizing it feels profoundly personal, as if I am stepping into his perspective and experiencing how he viewed India through his lens. Photography was his gift to me — not merely as a skill but as a lens through which to see — establishing a deep, quiet connection between us. Continuing this journey feels like a way to remain close to him, preserving a part of him within me,” Avani expressed.

Sundsbø, who also captured images for the 2026 edition of The Cal™, remarked, “This is a remarkable opportunity to delve into India. We will both strive to honor the country and Mr. Rai’s legacy through our partnership.”

Historically, the Pirelli calendar has featured some of the most notable and impactful editions. The 1972 installment marked the first contribution from a female photographer, Sarah Moon, while the 1987 edition, captured by Terence Donovan, exclusively showcased Black models, including a young Naomi Campbell. The 1994 edition, photographed by Herb Ritts, highlighted supermodels Cindy Crawford and Kate Moss, and in 2013, Steve McCurry portrayed women in Brazil to illustrate the country’s evolving social and economic landscape. The 2016 edition, captured by Annie Leibovitz, highlighted influential women from various domains, including artist Yoko Ono, singer-songwriter Patti Smith, and former tennis champion Serena Williams.

Vandana Kalra serves as an art critic and Deputy Associate Editor at The Indian Express. With over twenty years dedicated to documenting the arts, culture, and daily life, she has a strong focus on modern and contemporary art in her work.

Having a sustained involvement in the arts and a profound understanding of India’s cultural landscape, she is recognized as a unique and authoritative voice in contemporary art journalism within the country.

Kalra’s career has evolved alongside the changing dynamics of India’s cultural scene, from the emergence of the Indian art market to the increasing significance of global biennales and art fairs. She meticulously follows these shifts, reporting from studios, galleries, museums, and exhibition venues, and has covered significant Indian and international art events, including the Venice Biennale, Kochi-Muziris Biennale, Documenta, and the Islamic Arts Biennale.

She has also been invited to report on pivotal moments in modern Indian art history, including SH Raza’s exhibition at the Centre Pompidou in Paris and the inauguration of the MF Husain Museum in Doha, showcasing her long-standing engagement with the legacies of India’s modern artistic masters.

In addition to her writing, she possesses a keen editorial insight, shaping and refining art and cultural narratives into informed, cohesive stories. Through engaging features, interviews, and critical assessments, she clarifies intricate artistic discussions, emphasizing themes of process, patronage, craftsmanship, identity, and cultural memory.

The Global Art Circuit: Kalra provides comprehensive coverage of major art events such as the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, Serendipity Arts Festival, and notable international auctions.

Artist Spotlights: She produces in-depth profiles on modern masters, such as M.F. Husain, and contemporary performance artists like Marina Abramović.

Art and Labor: A consistent theme in her writing is the representation of marginalized communities in art, including migrants, farmers, and laborers.

Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025)

Her recent work prominently features the 2025 art season in India:

• Kochi-Muziris Biennale & Serendipity Arts Festival: “At Serendipity Arts Festival, a ‘Shark Tank’ for art and craft startups” (Dec 20, 2025): Discussing how a nascent incubator is assisting artisans in presenting their products to potential investors.
• “Artist Birender Yadav’s work gives voice to the migrant experience” (Dec 17, 2025): A profile of an artist focusing on the lives of brick kiln workers over the past decade.
• “At Kochi-Muziris Biennale, a farmer’s son from Patiala uses his art to highlight Delhi’s air pollution” (Dec 16, 2025).
• “Kochi Biennale star Marina Abramović, a trailblazer in performance art” (Dec 7, 2025): An interview with the acclaimed artist discussing the power of reinvention.

• M.F. Husain & Modernism: “Inside the new MF Husain Museum in Qatar” (Nov 29, 2025): A three-part series exploring the opening of Lawh Wa Qalam in Doha, detailing how a sketch from 2008 became the museum’s architectural centerpiece.
• “Doha unveils Lawh Wa Qalam: Celebrating the modernist’s global influence” (Nov 29, 2025).

• Art Market & Records: “Frida Kahlo sets a record for the highest price for a work by a female artist” (Nov 21, 2025): Covering Kahlo’s painting The Dream (The Bed) selling for $54.7 million.
• “Everything you need to know about Klimt’s canvas, now the most expensive modern artwork” (Nov 19, 2025).
• “What’s intriguing about a $12.1 million gold toilet?” (Nov 19, 2025): An unusual look at an 18-karat gold artwork.

• Art Education & History: “Art as play: How process-oriented activities are transforming children’s art education in India” (Nov 23, 2025).
• “A look at Goa’s rich history at Serendipity Arts Festival” (Dec…)