Sobha Singh
A commemorative postage stamp on the Birth Centenary of Sardar Sobha Singh, a contemporary painter from Punjab :
Issued by India
Issued on Nov 29, 2001
Issued for : The Department of Posts is happy to honour this accomplished artist with the release of a commemorative stamp.
Design : The First Day Cover depicts one of the paintings of Sobha Singh. The stamp carries the self portrait of the artist.
Credits :
Stamp and FDC : Based on material furnished by the Government of Punjab.
Cancellation : Nenu Gupta
Type : First Day Cover
Colour : Four Colour
Denomination : 400 Paise
Overall size : 2.90 x 3.91 Cms.
Printing size : 2.90 x 3.91 Cms.
Perforation : 13 x 13
Paper : Imported un w/m stamp paper
Stamps Printed : 0.4 million
Number per issue sheet : 40
Printing Process : Photo Offset
Printer : Eagle Press Pvt. Ltd.
Name : Sobha Singh
Born on Nov 29, 1901 at Sri Hargobindpur, Gurdaspur district, Punjab, British India [now Punjab, India]
Died on Aug 22, 1986 at Chandigarh, India
About :
- Investing his paintings with rare nobility and character, Sobha Singh (1901-1986) created a Sikh idiom in Indian art and brought Punjab into the mainstream of the art movement in the country.
- Though the young Sobha Singh joined the British Army as a draughtsman, he soon realized that the world of colours was his true calling. He sacrificed the security of a career in the Army to take up painting as a full time profession. His initial years as a professional artist saw him moving from Amritsar to Lahore, and further to Delhi. He made a mark wherever he went, and set up an art studio in Delhi in 1942. During this period he produced some unique paintings on Indian Railways and the Posts and Telegraphs Department. He also worked as an Art Director for some films.
- An unfortunate incident when about 300 of his valuable art pieces were destroyed by fire proved to be a turning point in his life. He moved to the sylvan surroundings of Andretta in the Kangra hills, where he established the now world famous “Sobha Singh Art Gallery” in 1950.
- His paintings based on romantic tales such as Sohni-Mahiwal, Heer-Ranjha, Sassi-Punnu and Mirza-Sahiban are well known. His paintings of the poets, writers, martyrs, saints and saint-warriors of Punjab as well as Sikh Gurus are also famous.
- A documentary film titled “Painter of the People” throws more light on his life and works. The British Broadcasting Corporation also made a documentary on him in 1984. Numerous awards and distinctions were conferred on him, the prominent being the title of ‘State Artist’ of the Punjab Government, honorary Doctorate of the Punjab University and the Padmashri of the Government of India.
- Text : Based on material furnished by the Government of Punjab.
