Jiten Hazarika

Jiten Hazarika (b. 1936, Assam, India) is a distinguished contemporary artist whose journey from military service to full-time painting exemplifies his lifelong dedication to art. A Civil Engineering graduate, he was commissioned into the Indian Army Corps of Engineers in 1964 and rose to the rank of Colonel. Recognizing art as an inseparable part of his life, he opted for premature retirement from the Army in 1989 to devote himself entirely to painting. Despite having no formal art education during his early years, Jiten nurtured his innate artistic talent and went on to establish himself as a respected artist. Based in Noida since his retirement, he has held 29 solo exhibitions and participated in numerous group shows across India. His artistic contributions have also received academic recognition, with research scholars completing M.Phil. and Ph.D. studies on his works. In recognition of his outstanding achievements in the field of art, Gauhati University conferred upon him the Honorary Doctorate (Honoris Causa) in 2017. Today, Jiten Hazarika is celebrated for his commitment to artistic excellence and his significant contribution to Indian contemporary art.