Hemen Majumdar

Known for his sensuous and erotic portraits of women, Hemen Majumdar (1894-1948) caused quite a stir at a time when Indian art was under the influence of puritanical Victorian morality. Majumdar chose to paint in European academic realist style as he believed that only direct observation of nature could provide an objective criterion for artistic creation.

Born in undivided Bengal, Majumdar studied for some time at the Government School of Art, Kolkata but he soon rebelled against the overt emphasis on Indianizing art. He viewed this as an unfavourable political influence in art and quit the institution. Later, he joined the Jubilee Art Academy, which was established by Ranadaprasad Gupta in 1897—as a mark of protest against redundant pedagogy at the Calcutta (now Kolkata) school.

Relentless, Majumdar had not bound himself by the confines of any particular school. Eventually, he charted his own course as he developed a unique personal style. He is perhaps the only painter after Raja Ravi Varma who became so famous and sought after for his oil portraits depicting the sensuous beauty of women. Primarily, his artistic hallmark is the ‘wet sari effect’, portraying women of his native Bengal. Such form invited a voyeuristic gaze, which drew the attention of critics.

Because of his painting style and choice of context, Majumdar became a highly successful artist. Just like Varma, his oil portraits were commercially coveted by Maharajas of Bikaner, Kashmir, Patiala and Jaipur. He was greatly patronized by the royal figures.

Majumdar continues to become a subject of discourse in the lineage of Varma and his style. His last exhibition was held at the All India Exhibition, Calcutta where he painted a large mural depicting the scenes of life in rural Bengal.