Jogen Chowdhury Dies at 87; Political Leaders Express Grief

Renowned painter Jogen Chowdhury died on Sunday morning at the age of 87, prompting condolence messages from West Bengal's current and former chief ministers. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee both described Chowdhury as a major figure in Bengal's and India's art and culture.

Adhikari said that Chowdhury's contribution to art had brought West Bengal international recognition. He added that through his distinctive painting style, Chowdhury had given fresh identity to modern Indian art. The Chief Minister said the artist's death has created a vacuum in the intellectual and creative life of Bengal that will be difficult to fill.

On behalf of the state government and the people of West Bengal, Adhikari conveyed condolences to Chowdhury's family, friends, colleagues and admirers around the world. Chowdhury, a celebrated artist and former Rajya Sabha member, had been admitted to a hospital in Kolkata for blood cancer and a urinary tract infection.

According to hospital sources, Chowdhury had been suffering from cancer for 14 months and was undergoing chemotherapy. His condition worsened on October 16, the day of Shashthi, leading to his hospitalisation. Signs of sepsis appeared as the infection spread, and his condition remained serious. He was placed on a ventilator on Saturday as his health deteriorated further.

Chowdhury had been honoured with several awards in India and abroad. In 2012, the West Bengal government presented him with the Banga Bibhushan. In 2014, the then Trinamool Congress government nominated him to the Rajya Sabha from West Bengal, and he served in the position until 2020.

Former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also mourned his passing. On the social media platform X, she wrote that Chowdhury was a pride of Bengal and India and a great inspiration to artists worldwide, and to her personally.

Banerjee said Chowdhury had represented civil society as a Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha member from 2014 to 2020. She expressed sympathy with his family, friends and admirers, adding that his death would leave an irreparable gap in the world of art and culture.