Childhood: A Paritosh Sen collection

Saturday March 14 2026

Childhood: A Paritosh Sen collection

Editor’s note: Renowned Indian artist and writer Paritosh Sen (1919-2008) was a pioneering modernist artist, developing his style through exposure to different art movements across the country, before eventually drawing from European art as well. He was a founding member of the Calcutta Group, a group of young Bengali painters. His work drew from everyday life, often with a piercing satire underpinning it. In this collection of evocative, nostalgic paintings, Sen shows us the world through the eyes of children—from joy, fun, and innocence to witnessing destruction and misery around them.

This piece was first published on The Heritage Lab—a wonderful resource of stories on cultural heritage, art, museums and lots more. You can find other wonderful essays on art and culture over on their website.

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Do you remember waiting for summer evenings so you could enjoy a Kulfi? Or the time you couldn’t let go of a simple paper-toy? Whether it was flying a kite or running after one or simply rolling a tyre, childhood certainly had a magical quality. Take a look at these artworks by Paritosh Sen, and revisit those childhood memories!

The world when seen through the eyes of children is definitely a simpler place, but in the world we occupy, children often have to cope with devastation and disasters. Sen’s paintings in response to the Tsunami of 2004 – Boy floating paper boats, Girl with a broken doll and Life Goes On – gives us a child’s view on destruction.

The Dhaka-born artist and illustrator, Paritosh Sen was one of the founding members of the Calcutta Group. Sen’s caricature-style works often bear strong satirical undertones.

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