This painting of Guru Nanak by Sobha Singh is an embodiment of the Guru’s life and philosophy. Back of the history of this masterpiece is love, devotion, art and spirituality. The story behind Sobha Singh creating what is perhaps the most famous image of Guru Nanak is as inspirational as the painting itself and says much about his dedication to capturing a message from the Guru that has endured through time.
Sobha Singh, born in 1901 in Sri Hargobindpur, Punjab, was greatly influenced by his cultural and spiritual roots. His path as an artist started at a young age, inspired by the world around him and something he was naturally good at. Over time, he developed a style that blended realism with a sense of spirituality, making him one of India’s most revered artists. While he did many works, his portrait of Guru Nanak won him a spot in the hearts of Sikhs around the world.
The story behind the painting starts at the modest studio of Sobha Singh in Andretta, Himachal Pradesh. He found peace from the hustle and bustle of life soon after India’s partition in 1947, when he decided to stay in this beautiful village. It was here, in the tranquil hills, that he found inspiration to create this portrait. It was Sobha Singh’s deeply personal tribute and an artistic pursuit of great passion, reflecting the artist’s admiration for Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
Sobha Singh was known for his meticulous approach to painting, and his depiction of Guru Nanak was no exception. He spent countless hours studying the life and teachings of the Guru, striving to translate his spiritual essence onto the canvas. The process involved intense meditation and reflection, as Sobha Singh sought to imbue the painting with a sense of divine presence. He once mentioned that painting Guru Nanak’s portrait felt less like creating and more like channelling the Guru’s energy through his brush. As a painter known for his integral style of painting and when it comes to portrait of Guru Nanak, he has no exception. As a devotee he spent many hours studying the life of his Master and these are the teachings of Guru and trying to capture same essence in painting.” The process consisted of high meditation and reflection since Sobha Singh wanted to fill the painting with divine timing. He had previously stated on painting Guru Nanak that it felt to him more like channelling the energy of Guru with his brush than creating something.
It was an immediate and powerful response to the painting. When it was finished, Sikhs took to it as an embodiment of the symbols of their faith and values. The art made its home within homes, gurdwaras and public spaces to germinate in the minds of devotees and inspirators alike. For a lot of the audience, it was not just a depiction of Guru Nanak but also his teachings and how they needed to practice them in their lives.
The story behind the preservation and dissemination of this painting makes it even more extraordinary. The original painting by Sobha Singh has been preserved for generations to come at Sobha Singh Art Gallery, Andretta (Himachal Pradesh). The gallery, in the vicinity of Palampur features lots of Sobha Singh’s masterpieces, especially portraits including Sikh Gurus. While demand for the artwork caused an influx of reproductions, these copies awarded worldwide access to both its beauty and significance. Now, thanks to the state of printing (digital) technology today it can be reproduced with unprecedented fidelity, and thus, many people get to understand the spiritual essence captured in this.
The story of Guru Nanak’s painting by Sobha Singh, thus, becomes an instance in point where art is able to travel beyond time and place carrying with it the chord between people and their faith. It exemplifies the artist’s true confession as well as his talent for delivering a meaningful religious message. For Sobha Singh, this painting was more than just a portrait; it was an embodiment of the Guru’s teachings and their relevance through time. Sobha Singh immortalised the image of Guru Nanak through his legendary masterpiece, which for seekers across generations and ages will inspire to come together in compassion and unity. The story of the painting lives on, as how art can tell stories, transcend cultures, and is simply divine. In doing so, not only do we pay tribute to the legacy of Sobha Singh but also keep the light that Guru Nanak ignited through his life, alive for generations of humanity.
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