Eminent Indian Painter Jogen Chowdhury Dies at 87

Eminent artist Jogen Chowdhury died on a Sunday morning in a private hospital in Kolkata after a prolonged battle with blood cancer. Hospital officials said he had been admitted with a urinary-tract infection and placed on ventilator support before succumbing to the infection. The gallerist Somak Mitra of Art Exposure noted that Chowdhury was admitted on October 16 and passed away that same morning. He was 87 years old.

Hindustan Times

Born on February 16, 1939 in Faridpur (now Bangladesh), Chowdhury migrated to Kolkata after Partition. He enrolled at the Government College of Art and Craft in 1955, graduating in 1960, and later taught art while designing for the state handloom board. In 1965 he received a French government scholarship to study in Paris. Recognised for merging traditional religious and mythic iconography with a contemporary sensibility, he worked across ink, watercolor, pastel, and oil, but his distinctive line work remained his hallmark. Chowdhury also served as a Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha member and later curated the Rashtrapati Bhavan art gallery.

Hindustan Times

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari expressed condolences, wishing “immortality for his soul” and noting that Chowdhury’s works are displayed at Rashtrapati Bhawan and will inspire future generations. Writer Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay, a longtime friend, remembered him as an “open-hearted” person whose smile will be missed.

Hindustan Times

• “He was diagnosed over a year ago, but the fighter that he was, he fought back,” — Somak Mitra, of Art Exposure

The Indian Express

• “I wish immortality for his soul. His works are displayed at the Rashtrapati Bhawan. He will inspire several generations of artists.” — Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari

Hindustan Times

• “Jogen was an open-hearted person. His smile is what we will all miss. He stopped leaving home a year ago and rarely took telephone calls. He will remain immortal as a painter.” — Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay, noted writer

Hindustan Times

Sources differ on the length of Chowdhury’s chemotherapy. The Indian Express reports a 15-month treatment, while Hindustan Times cites “around 18 months” and adds that chemotherapy began in early 2025. Both outlets agree he was hospitalized in serious condition and placed on ventilator support before his death.

Hindustan Times