Renowned painter Jogen Chowdhury passes away

Renowned Indian painter Jogen Chowdhury has died. He died on Sunday morning at a private hospital in Kolkata. Jogen Chowdhury, 87, had been suffering from blood cancer for 14 months, according to family sources.

Jogen Chowdhury, who made important contributions to Indian painting, used to draw satirical pictures on various inconsistencies of politics and society. There was influence of Indian and European art movements in his artworks. He had also designed themes for Durga Puja on various occasions.

In 1971, during the entire nine months of Bangladesh’s Liberation War, Jogen Chowdhury was one of the poets, writers and artists of Kolkata and West Bengal who worked in various ways for Bangladesh.

Jogen Chowdhury was born in 1939 in Daharpara village of Faridpur in Bangladesh. His father Pramathanath Chowdhury was a zamindar of Faridpur. His mother was good at drawing alpana. Interest in drawing pictures was created in him from his mother.

At the time of partition his family moved to Kolkata. His art education started there. He studied at the Government College of Art and Craft in Kolkata. Later he worked as a drawing teacher at Howrah District School. In 1962 he joined the Handloom Board in Kolkata as a designer. In 1965 he went to Paris for higher education.

After returning from Paris Jogen Chowdhury served as professor and head at Kala Bhavana in Santiniketan. Besides, he also served as curator at the art gallery of Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The wounds and experiences of that life have been reflected in the artworks of Jogen Chowdhury who became a refugee due to partition.

This artist was also involved in politics. In 2014 he was elected as a member of the Rajya Sabha of India as a candidate of Trinamool Congress. He was in this responsibility until 2020. Jogen Chowdhury received various honours at home and abroad for his contribution to art.

According to Anandabazar Patrika, he was admitted to hospital in critical condition on October 16 last.