CNN Central News & Network-ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: Kolkata: Eminent Indian painter and former Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MP Jogen Chowdhury died at the age of 87 on Sunday, October 25, 2026, at a private hospital in Kolkata following a prolonged illness. His death has prompted tributes from political leaders, artists and admirers, who have remembered his significant contribution to modern Indian art.
Chowdhury had been suffering from myeloproliferative neoplasm, a rare blood cancer, for around 14 months and was undergoing chemotherapy. He was admitted to hospital on October 16 after developing a urinary tract infection. His condition subsequently deteriorated, and he required ventilator support before his death.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari expressed deep sorrow over the artist’s demise, describing his work as an invaluable legacy for the state and the country. He noted that Chowdhury’s artistic contributions were represented in prominent institutions, including Rashtrapati Bhavan, and said his creations would continue to inspire generations.
Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also paid tribute, describing Chowdhury as a source of inspiration for artists in India and abroad. She highlighted his influence on Bengal’s cultural identity and expressed condolences to his family, friends and admirers.
Born on February 16, 1939, in Faridpur, then part of undivided Bengal and now in Bangladesh, Chowdhury moved to Kolkata with his family following Partition. He studied at the Government College of Art and Craft in Kolkata before travelling to Paris in 1965 on a French government scholarship to pursue further artistic training.
Chowdhury became renowned for his distinctive drawing style, expressive lines and depictions of human vulnerability and social contradictions. His work combined influences from Indian traditions and European art movements, establishing him as a leading figure in contemporary Indian painting.
Beyond his artistic career, he taught at Visva-Bharati University’s Kala Bhavana in Santiniketan and served as curator of the art gallery at Rashtrapati Bhavan. He also entered public life, representing the Trinamool Congress in the Rajya Sabha from 2014 to 2020.
His death marks a significant loss for India’s artistic community, while his paintings, teaching and cultural contributions will remain an enduring part of the country’s modern art legacy.
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