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Indian Art Icon Jogen Chowdhury Dies at 87
25 Oct
Summary
- Renowned Indian painter Jogen Chowdhury passed away on October 25, 2026.
- He was battling a rare blood cancer and other infections for 14 months.
- Chowdhury was celebrated for his unique style of drawing and painting figures.
Renowned Indian painter Jogen Chowdhury passed away on Sunday, October 25, 2026, in a Kolkata hospital at the age of 87. His death followed a 14-month struggle with a rare blood cancer, exacerbated by a urinary infection. Chowdhury, born in Faridpur, Bengal, in 1939, was deeply influenced by his artistic family and his childhood experiences, including the upheaval of Partition.
He honed his skills at the Government College of Art and Craft in Kolkata and later in Paris at Atelier 17, where he significantly developed his unique artistic voice. Returning to India, Chowdhury served as a curator and textile designer before dedicating himself to teaching at Kala Bhavan in Santiniketan for decades, influencing generations of artists.
Chowdhury's art is distinguished by his masterful use of line, often depicting distorted and expressive human figures with a sensual quality. He worked primarily with ink, watercolor, and pastel, though also in oil. His powerful imagery, often compared to memory and dreams, cemented his status as a unique voice in Indian art.
Beyond his artistic career, Chowdhury also served as a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha from 2014 to 2020. His contributions to art and public life were significant, leaving behind a rich legacy celebrated through numerous exhibitions and publications.
