SARDAR SOBHA SINGH: THE PAINTER OF THE PEOPLE

Abstract

Artists have come to many parts of India and made their own identity and some such artists have come and disappeared themselves as if they do not exist. It is often seen that the artist gets so absorbed in his work that he does not know that even outside the world of canvas, there is a world that needs a name and fame to live. Sardar Sobha Singh was an eminent artist of Punjab. Widely acclaimed as the saint-artist of the people, he created a new intensity by delving deep into the spirit of the subject. The conception and execution of his portraits and the landscape paintings remain singularly unique in the sense that they introduce the great spiritual masters and the heroes in a manner that simply evokes adoration. Art for him was not merely an amusing pastime. He held that it had the capacity to elevate the soul and refine the taste of the people. He painted great men, martyrs and pleasing aspects of nature and refused to accept the ominous events and erotic scenes as objects for his art. His portraits of the Gurus, avatars, saints and the immortal lovers shall endure the test of time.