Noted Painter Jogen Chowdhury Dies; Mamata, Suvendu Mourn The Demise

Chowdhury had been suffering from myeloproliferative neoplasm for the past 14 months and was undergoing chemotherapy.

He was admitted to hospital on October 16 after developing a urinary tract infection, sepsis-related complications and other health problems. His condition deteriorated, and he was placed on ventilator support on Saturday. He died at 10.15 am on Sunday.

Known for his distinctive drawing style and contributions to Indian modern art, Chowdhury was regarded as one of the country's foremost contemporary painters.

Born in 1939 in Faridpur, now in Bangladesh, he studied at the Government College of Art and Craft in Kolkata and later pursued art studies in Paris.

His works, characterised by expressive lines and distorted human figures, explored themes of human experience, vulnerability and social contradictions.

Chowdhury was elected to the Rajya Sabha on a Trinamul Congress ticket in 2014 and served until 2020. He received the Banga Bibhushan award in 2012.

Mourning his death, former chief minister Mamata Banerjee described Chowdhury as the pride of Bengal and India and a source of inspiration to artists worldwide.

"His passing away will create an irreparable void in the world of art and culture," she said.

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari also expressed grief, describing Chowdhury as a legendary artist whose distinctive style had redefined Indian modern art.

Adhikari said his contributions had brought international recognition to West Bengal and that his death was an irreparable loss to the state's cultural and intellectual world.