David Mordecai Biography 
David Mordecai was an Indian photographer from Kolkata who lived in the 20th century between 1909 and 1973. He has captured the images of some royal members of Indian society then, and also Nehru family among the others. He was a high-profile photographer among his contemporaries. India Through the Camera's Eye, His Majesty King Mahendra Bir Bikram Shaha Deva. An analytical biography, and The Himalayas: An illustrated summary of the world's highest mountain ranges are some of his published books related to Indian photography. He covered the end of colonial era in India as well as early independent era of India, through a series of photographs.
David Mordecai was born in Kolkata in 1909. He was born to Jewish couple Isaac and Esther Mordecai, who lived in Bengal. He was a member of Bagdadi Jewish community of Calcutta. Trixie was his wife and he had three daughters. His family owned a business of condiments and a company named Daw Sen & Company, which was a manufacturer. Initially he was associated with family business. But later he decided to quit business and pursue photography. During his childhood, his mother gifted him a Kotak camera, and young David got fascinated with the art of photography since then.
Over the years he established as a leading photographer of pre-independent era in India. Apart from photographing higher classes of the society, he also produced society portraits, souvenirs for tourists, documentary and topographical works. He also conducted official work for business firms. He took photographs of Tenzing Norgay, Sir Edmund Hillary, and King Mahendra and Queen Ratna of Nepal at different occasions. During his glorious years, he employed more than a hundred workers in his studio. During his later years he suffered from ill health and he passed away in 1973.
Published: January 28, 2019
Updated: January 28, 2019
