I think he didn't have blood in his veins, just photography. What makes his work stand out was the fact that he was never satisfied. He was always thirsting to produce something great. Another photograph that would capture the perfect moment. And yet, even though he was never satisfied, other photographers are still copying the pictures he shot of the Ganpati procession, several years ago.

What made him inimitable? What made Raghubir Singh great? The fact that he only had one aim: photography. He didn't think of much else. And he never seemed to compromise. For 40 years he continuously took pictures because he never thought his work was perfect. No one else has even shot for more than 10 years at a stretch.

How do you identify a Raghubir Singh picture? Instinct.

His work is very simple.There is almost no visible drama, no action. It's as if he simply just clicked. Even if he staged a picture, he got the essence of the shot without it appearing staged. For instance, the basket carrier in Crawford Market was shot in such a way that you could see the main building behind him. That's all he needed to say. His pictures spoke for themselves, they never needed a caption.

At the age of 58, the quality and quantity of work that he has produced -- I don't think anyone can produce even one-tenth of that. He travelled all over the world. I think no nook and cranny of India had been left untouched by him.

I never got a chance to meet him even though I followed all his work. His picture taken in a tabela inspired me to do an entire series. For me he was and is the Henri Cartier Bresson of India.

I was lucky enough to see him at work a few times, though. Twice at a Ganpati procession and once at Chor Bazaar -- he was always alone. Without an entourage of people surrounding him. Just the camera inhis hand.

Mukesh Parpiani is photo editor, The Indian Express group