The Storyteller of the City: Paritosh Sen’s Kolkata in Lines and Colours

Sneha Gautam

Few artists have captured the pulse of Kolkata, its people, chaos, and charm with as much sensitivity and depth as Paritosh Sen. Born in 1918 in Dhaka (now in Bangladesh), Sen’s life and art were deeply intertwined with the evolving cultural fabric of 20th-century India. He was a founding member of the iconic Calcutta Group. Further, he was among the pioneers who introduced modernism into Indian art, breaking away from the academic realism of the colonial era.

After completing his early studies in Dhaka, Sen joined the Madras Art School, where he trained under Devi Prosad Roy Chowdhury. His contemporaries included future stalwarts such as K.C.S. Paniker and Prodosh Dasgupta, marking the beginning of a lifelong dialogue on artistic form and expression. In 1943, his return to Kolkata marked a turning point — together with like-minded artists, he established the Calcutta Group, which sought to infuse Indian art with modern sensibilities rooted in human experience and social consciousness.

In 1949, Sen travelled to Europe, where he studied at André Lhote’s School, Académie de la Grande Chaumière, École des Beaux-Arts, and École du Louvre. These years profoundly expanded his creative outlook, allowing him to blend Indian narrative traditions with Western modernist influences. His works became a confluence of global exposure and personal insight marked by bold compositions, fluid lines, and a sharp understanding of the human condition.

One of Sen’s most endearing subjects was urban life, especially the rhythm and vitality of Kolkata. His art often portrayed intimate, everyday moments: a street vendor at work, a lover’s quiet gaze, or children lost in play, each rendered with empathy and a keen sense of observation. His painting “Girl Feeding Birds” encapsulates this poetic quality. Through soft yet deliberate strokes, Sen transforms a seemingly simple scene into a tender study of innocence and harmony. The girl’s tranquil presence and the fluttering birds around her speak to the artist’s gift for imbuing stillness with emotional resonance.

A Writer & an Intellectual

Beyond his canvas, Paritosh Sen was also a writer and intellectual, contributing essays and reflections that enriched the discourse on Indian art. His curiosity extended beyond visuals, it encompassed philosophy, literature, and the social fabric that surrounded him. His creative pursuits were a testament to his lifelong engagement with both the local and the global.

In recognition of his contribution to culture, the French government had commissioned him to design Bengali typography inspired by Rabindranath Tagore’s script. This was an acknowledgment of his rare ability to bridge artistic traditions across continents.

The artist passed away in 2008 in Kolkata, but his legacy endures not merely through his art, but through the emotions, narratives, and humanity that animate his works. His lines continue to tell the story of a city and its people, reminding us that art, at its best, is a reflection of life itself.

Sneha Gautam is Director – Client Relations
at AstaGuru Auction House