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DIVINE
PAINTER
S.SOBHA SINGH
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One
of the greatest Indian artists of twentieth century S. Sobha
Singh was born on 29 Nov. 1901 at Sri Hargobindpur (Gurdaspur),
India. it was here where S. Sobha Singh learned to draw and
sculpt. In 1905, his mother Bibi Acchran died. His father
S. Deva Singh died in 1917. He learnt and mastered painting
by self practice. In 1919 he was present in Jalianwala Bagh
at the time of firing. Later , he joined the British India
army as a draughtsman and was posted at various places in
Iraq. He studied European Paintings and got inspiration from
the works of English painters. |
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In
1923 he left army and returned to Amritsar where he opened
his art studio. In the same year, he married Bibi Inder Kaur
on Baisakhi day. He worked from his studios at Amritsar, Lahore
(1926) and Delhi (1931). At Delhi, S.Sobha Singh got opportunity
to participate in art exhibitions and won several award and
medals. Portrait painting being his forte, he was commissioned
for doing portraits of several rulers of Indian states. |
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In
1946 S. Sobha Singh went back to Lahore and opened his studio
at Anarkali and was working as an art director for a film
when he was forced to leave the city due to partition of the
country. He came empty handed to Andretta, a picturesque village
in the lap of Himalayas and stayed here till his last. |
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During
his 38 year stay at Andretta, S. Sobha Singh painted hundreds
of paintings. His main focus was Sikh Gurus, their life and
work. S.Sobha Singh's portraiture of Gurus was a manifestation
of his devotion to the divine souls. He said, "I have
painted Gurus to inspire people." He held Guru Nanak
as manifestation of his meditation. He looked upon Guru Gobind
Singh as his 'inspiration incarnate'. He also painted impressive
portraits of National Heroes and leaders like Shaheed Bhagat
Singh, Kartar Singh Sarabha, Mahatma Gandhi, Lal Bahadur Shastri
, etc. |
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S.Sobha
Singh painted Sohni Mahiwal, one of the most popular love
legends of Punjab, first time in 1937. This lone painting
gave him enormous fame. It was painted for the fifth time
in the year 1979 and is on view at Sobha Singh Art Gallery,
Andretta. S.Sobha Singh also worked on other love tales
of Punjab. Heer Ranjha, Sassi Punnu, Shirin Farhad and Mirzan
Sahiban are other beautiful paintings. Another fantastic creation
is the portrayal of famous Omar Khayyam S.Sobha Singh had
profound regard for the dignity of womanhood. He painted a
series of brides representing the folks of Punjab and Himachal.
One of the most liked painting is 'Her Grace the Gaddan'.
He has also executed picturesque sceneries. S.Sobha Singh
tried his hand at sculpture also. |
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He
got wide acclaim for his art, which he pursued vigorously
all his life. He got several awards and was felicitated by
several organizations. He was honoured with Padamshree, one
of the National awards by President of India. Ministry of
Information & Broadcasting released a documentary film
'Painter of People'. BBC, London also prepared a documentary
on him. He was conferred the degree of Doctor of Literature
(Honoris Causa) by Punjabi University, Patiala. |
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The
painter of people passed away on 22 Aug. 1986 at Chandigarh
and was cremated with full state honours. |
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Sobha
Singh Art Gallery, Andretta (Palampur) H.P., India 176103
(Tel. 01894-254229, e-mail:sobhasinghartist.com) is managed
by his daughter Bibi Gurcharan Kaur, herself an accomplished
artist.She is ably assisted by her son Hirday Paul Singh
( e-mail: hirday@sobhasinghartist.com ) and daughter-in-law
Kamaljit Kaur
( e-mail: prampara@sobhasinghartist.com )
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A
large number of artists, art lovers, connoisseurs and commoners
visit the Gallery daily. Almost three dozen multicolour reproductions
of the original works are available in the Gallery. Some books
on the artist are :Art of Sobha Singh (by Dr. M.S. Randhawa),
Painter of Divine (Guru Nanak Dev University), Divine Painter
Sobha Singh (Dr. Kulwant Singh Khokhar), Soul and Principles
(Dr. Kulwant Singh Khokhar), Sobha Singh Artist (Punjabi University),
Kala Waheguru Di (S. Sobha Singh), Sobha Singh Kala Deergha
(S.Hirday Paul Singh) etc. These are also available. |
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SOBHA
SINGH MEMORIAL ART SOCIETY (SSMAS) organized several
programmers to commemorate the birth centenary of the artist
(Nov.2001 to Nov.2002). A beautiful souvenir containing rare
articles, photos of the artist, paintings, etc, was published
in addition to launching a web site. The Govt of India relesed
a commemorative postal stamp, First Day cover and information
brochure on him. The Govts. of Punjab & Himachal Pradesh
instituted Sobha Singh Art Awards and published official calendars,
books, special issues of the literary magazines, etc. on him.
The road linking the Palampur town and Andretta and the local
govt. High school have been renamed after him. His b' centenary
was also celebrated in Canada, UK, Australia and USA etc. |
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Sohni
Mehiwal, Sohni-in-Heaven, Heer Ranjha, Kangra Bride, Her Grace
The Gaddan, Last Desire Of Mumtaz Mahal (Origin Of Taj), Omar
Khayyam,Pahari Bride,Punjabi Bride, Sisters of Spinning Wheel,
Palace Of Bhutan, Guru Nanak Dev (Oval), G. Nanak (Hand Raised
In Blessings), G. Nanak Dev (Eco Simro Nanka), G. Hargobind
Sahib, G. Teg Bahadur, G. Gobind Singh (Oval), G. Gobind Singh
(Chun Kar Aj Haman), G. Gobind Singh (At Anandpur Sahib),
G. Gobind Singh (With Horse And Baaj), Shaheed-E-Azam Bhagat
Singh.Bhagwan Ram, Lord Krishna,
UNDER PRINT :
G. Amar Das, G. Nanak Dev, Art Is The Language Of Heart
Etc. |
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For
reprints, books, information on Sobha Singh Art Gallery, Sobha
Singh Memorial Art Society, etc |
BEING
HONOURED WITH PADMASHRI BY PRESIDENT OF INDIA. |
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E-MAIL
To:
saintartist@sobhasinghartist.com
hirday@sobhasinghartist.com |
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