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Indira Gandhi

© Karsh / Camera Press

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Indira Gandhi

by Yousuf Karsh
bromide print, 1956
11 in. x 8 in. (279 mm x 202 mm)
Given by the photographer, Yousuf Karsh, 1991
Primary Collection
NPG P490(34)

Sitterback to top

  • Indira Gandhi (1917-1984), Prime Minister of India. Sitter in 3 portraits.

Artistback to top

  • Yousuf Karsh (1908-2002), Photographer. Artist associated with 157 portraits, Sitter in 1 portrait.

This portraitback to top

This photograph was taken when Gandhi was working with her father Jawaharlal Nehru, the first prime minister of independent India, whom Karsh also photographed at this time. Photographed at Government House, Ottawa, 1956.

Linked publicationsback to top

Placesback to top

  • Place made: Canada (Government House, Ottawa, Canada)

Linked displays and exhibitionsback to top

Portrait setback to top

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1956back to top

Current affairs

The first supermarket opens in Britain. Inspired by the new innovation in America, Jack Cohen opened his first Tesco supermarket in Essex.
The First Clean Air Act is passed in response to the 'Pea Soup' smog over London.

Art and science

Pop Art is seen for the first time in the This is Tomorrow exhibition at the Whitechapel Gallery. The exhibition included Richard Hamilton's iconic collage: What is it that makes today's homes so different, so appealing?
John Osborne's play Look Back in Anger opens at the Royal Court Theatre, introducing the phrase 'Angry young man' to describe the new movement of gritty, post-war realism in literature.

International

The Suiz Crisis rocked Eden's premiership and marked the decline of British world power and influence in favour of America. In 1956 President Nasser of Egypt nationalised the Suez canal. Although Britain and France, who had owned the canal since the 19th century, invaded Egypt, they were soon persuaded to withdraw by US President Eisenhower who disapproved of the occupation.

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