Painter Jogen Chowdhury Dies at 87 in Kolkata

Painter Jogen Chowdhury, a leading figure in Indian modern art and a former Rajya Sabha member, died at a private hospital in Kolkata on October 25, 2026. He was 87. His death was reported after a prolonged illness; accounts citing his family and hospital sources said he had been receiving treatment for blood cancer and was placed on ventilator support before his condition worsened. Chowdhury was admitted to hospital on October 16 after developing a urinary tract infection and related complications. Reports said doctors detected signs of sepsis and that his health deteriorated before he died the following morning. The medical details were attributed to family or hospital sources. Born in Faridpur on February 16, 1939, Chowdhury moved with his family to Kolkata after the Partition of India. He studied at the Government College of Art and Craft in Kolkata and later pursued further art studies in Paris. His paintings and drawings became known for expressive lines and distorted human figures, often used to explore vulnerability, social inequality and the complexities of human life. His work drew on Indian artistic traditions and European influences. Chowdhury also contributed to...