Jogen Chowdhury first artist in-residence at Rashtrapati Bhavan

Artist Jogen Chowdhury has been invited to be the first artist to stay at the Rashtrapati Bhavan under the 'in-residence scheme for writers and artists', it was announced Monday.

"Jogen Chowdhury, member of parliament (Rajya Sabha); professor emeritus of Visva Bharati University, Santiniketan and former keeper (art) at Rashtrapati Bhavan (1972-87) has been invited to be the inaugural artist to stay there," said a statement from the Rashtrapati Bhavan here.

It said several of his paintings already form part of the Rashtrapati Bhavan art collection.

Chowdhury will stay at Rashtrapati Bhavan for a period of 14 days beginning Monday.

The in-residence scheme was launched by President Pranab Mukherjee Dec 11, 2013 with an aim of providing writers and artists an opportunity to stay in and be a part of the life of Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The initiative is an attempt to encourage established as well as young and upcoming writers and artists by facilitating them to stay close to nature in the picturesque and serene surroundings of Rashtrapati Bhavan.