The passing of veteran artist Jogen Chowdhury in Kolkata on October 25 has left the city’s art fraternity mourning the loss of a towering figure in Indian contemporary art. Remembered not only for his distinctive artistic style but also for his generosity, mentorship and unwavering support for fellow artists, Chowdhury leaves behind a legacy that generations of artists will continue to draw inspiration from.
My Kolkata spoke to city-based artists, for whom Chowdhury, fondly called Jogen da, was much more than a legend. He was a teacher, a mentor and a reassuring presence.
Sculptor Bimal Kundu recalled Chowdhury’s remarkable journey, from his early struggles to his emergence as one of Bengal’s most influential artists.
“Jogen da was among Bengal’s legendary artists. Since the Bengal Renaissance of the 1960s, he has been a top-grade artist. His journey is one of struggles. His family were refugees in Kolkata from Bangladesh. He studied at the Government College of Art and Craft, but back then the art market was not as expansive as it is today. He often painted in the dim light of lanterns,” Kundu said.
Reflecting on the different phases of Chowdhury’s artistic career, Kundu pointed to his tenure as curator at the Art Gallery of Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi as a particularly significant period. He also recalled a shift towards greater simplicity in his work after Chowdhury joined the fine arts faculty at Visva-Bharati University in Santiniketan.
Yet, for Kundu, Chowdhury’s contribution to the art world extended well beyond his own practice.
“Jogen da was always there for all artists, big or small. He also supported an organisation that stands beside artists in times of need. He also established the Charubasana art gallery for artists. He paved the way for many awards for artists and art critics. He devoted his life to art,” he said.
That commitment to the wider artistic community is a recurring theme in the tributes paid to Chowdhury.
Painter and sculptor Samir Aich said, "Jogen da was like a father figure to me. It is an extremely sad day for painters across India. He was a stalwart of contemporary art. This is a huge loss. I have known him since the 1990s, and he had always been there for artists. He was always an enthusiastic participant in different workshops,” Aich said.
For painter Hiran Mitra, the memories of Chowdhury stretch back much further, to their younger days.
“I have known Jogen Chowdhury since I was a school student and he was a student at Government College of Art and Craft in Kolkata. I used to live in Kharagpur. There were many tribal villages around my house. Jogen da would visit my house during the holidays and then he would go to these forests to paint. I used to accompany him. He was like my teacher. I joined college the year he passed out,” Mitra said.
Their friendship endured even as Chowdhury’s career took him beyond Bengal. Mitra recalled staying in touch with him when he was abroad and later in New Delhi, where Chowdhury developed a rapport with then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
“While in New Delhi, he was on good terms with Indira Gandhi, who often bought artwork on his recommendation. He had undoubtedly established himself as a legendary artist of his time,” Mitra said.
Painter Ashoke Mullick, meanwhile, remembered Chowdhury as an artist whose distinctive visual language set him apart.
“Jogen da was a top-tier artist, far ahead of everyone else. He had a signature style which few artists are able to develop. He also used to encourage budding artists like me by buying their artwork. I am indeed deeply saddened by his passing,” Mullick said.
For sculptor and visual artist Saurav Roy Chowdhury, the loss is deeply personal.
“Jogen Chowdhury is like family. My family had been associated with him since I was a child. He was my teacher in Santiniketan. We shared a very affectionate relationship. He used to call me by my nickname,” Roy Chowdhury said.
He also spoke of the sadness of not being able to meet Chowdhury during his final months, when the artist had been unwell.
Jogen Chowdhury passed away after battling blood cancer for several months, Roy Chowdhury said.