Unparalleled Sensuality of Hemen Majumdar

Article written by Devaleena Joardar

Hemen Majumdar is known for his paintings of figures. He beautifully captured the feminine beauty through his paintings. He emerged as a prominent romantic naturalist and a figure painter in the world of art in India during the 20th century.

Hemen Majumdar was born in Kishoreganj (now in Bangladesh) in British India, in 1894. Не was born in a family of landowners and went on to study art against his father’s wishes.

After studying for some time at the Government School of Art in Calcutta, he began to protest the over emphasis on Indianizing art. He quit the institution and later joined the Jubilee Art Academy. The Academy was established by Ranadaprasad Gupta in 1897.

In 1929, Majumdar established the Indian Academy of Art at his own residence in Calcutta. Well-known artists, such as Atul Bose, Jamini Roy, Jogesh Chandra Seal, and Bhabani Charan Laha played a significant role in the activities of the academy. A tri-monthly journal was also published by this academy.

Hemen Majumdar excelled in oil paintings of nude or partially dressed women in diaphanous clothes, carrying out their daily chores, such as bathing, dressing, or playing a musical instrument. These paintings roused a sense of intimacy and voyeuristic eroticism. His trademark, the ‘wet saree effect,’ portraying woman of native Bengal, draws the attention of maximum critics.

He had many patrons and got several commissions from Maharaja of Jaipur, Bikaner, Kota, Kashmir, Cooch Behar, Mayurbhanj, Patiala and other Princely States. They were fascinated by the sensuous appeal in his paintings. He also received offers of commissions from the Indian aristocracy.

He became the most popular oil portrait artist after Raja Ravi Verma. He won three gold medals from the Bombay Art Society. His last exhibition was held in Calcutta in 1948, in which he showed the life of rural Bengal. His paintings at this exhibition were different from his previous works. He passed away in July 1948.

From 18th January to 18th February, 2025, Mr. Prabhas Kejariwal of Chitrakoot Art Gallery and Mr. Ashatit Halder of Charulata are organizing an exhibition on Unparalleled Sensuality of Hemen Majumdar at Chitrakoot Art Gallery. All are cordially invited to visit and appreciate the mesmerizing paintings.