Jagdish Dey (1942–2023)

Jagdish Dey (Jagadish Chandra Dey) was an eminent Indian painter and printmaker celebrated for his lyrical, dreamlike approach to surrealism.

Early Life and Career

Born on June 1, 1942, in Sylhet (now Bangladesh), Dey moved to Assam with his family at a young age. He graduated from the School of Art, Delhi Polytechnic, in 1963. He was a foundational figure in several prominent artist collectives, including Group 8. In 1965, he joined the faculty of the College of Art, New Delhi, where he dedicated nearly four decades as an educator before retiring in 2002.

Artistic Style and Legacy

Dey’s style is defined by an enchanting visual poetry where reality and imagination seamlessly intertwine.

• Surrealist Landscapes: His early works featured “transformed landscapes,” showcasing ethereal, cloud-like forms suspended in the air to evoke a floating, dreamlike state.
• The Transformed Figure: He later transitioned into figurative art, frequently painting solitary or contemplative women, floating female figures, and couples interacting with a mystical quality.
• Symbolism of Nature: His canvases are rich with recurring motifs from nature, particularly peacocks and butterflies, which serve as instruments of unspoken communication between his subjects.

Legacy and Final Years

Over his illustrious career, Dey was honored with prestigious accolades, including the Lalit Kala Akademi’s National Academy Award (2000) and the Sahitya Kala Parishad Award. Recognized for pioneering a distinct flavor of Indian surrealism, he left behind a highly influential body of work. He passed away on February 22, 2023, in Gurgaon, India, at the age of 80. Jai Zharotia The Master of Dualities

Jai Zharotia was a celebrated Indian painter, sculptor, printmaker, and poet renowned for creating a surreal visual world that balanced wit with deep introspection.

Early Life and Career

Born in New Delhi in 1945, Zharotia graduated from the Delhi College of Art. He began his professional journey teaching children at Bal Bhavan, an experience that deeply nurtured his imaginative spirit. In 1974, he returned to his alma mater as a lecturer, eventually serving as a professor and Head of the Painting Department until 2005.

Artistic Style and Legacy

Zharotia’s work rejected strict logic, choosing instead to explore the human psyche. His style is defined by three key elements:

• The Playground of Duality: His canvases frequently bridged the gap between the conscious and subconscious, the visible and invisible, and reality and fantasy.
• Tragicomic Motifs: He populated his worlds with symbolic, recurring figures like clowns, jugglers, acrobats, and his famous fictitious seeker, “Luqman Ali,” to represent the complexities of the common man.
• Vibrant Metamorphosis: Utilizing a rich, warm, and earthy color palette, he magically transformed everyday physical objects into fluid, bulbous, and dreamlike forms.

Legacy and Later Years

A shy and deeply dedicated creator, Zharotia was honored with the National Award from the Lalit Kala Akademi and the Sahitya Kala Parishad Award. He passed away on March 27, 2021, due to a cardiac arrest. Today, his rich artistic and educational legacy lives on through major collections, including the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) and the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA).