Rajiv K. Phull (Cover Story)
Original Art Works At Display
During his four decades of creativity at Andretta, he painted a large number of paintings on various themes which included Sikh Gurus and Prophets, national heroes and freedom fighters, love legends and portraits. During his lifetime, many commoners and connoisseurs used to visit him and interact with him on art, life and philosophy. After his demise in 1986, the family members of the late artist renamed the gallery as Sobha Singh Art Gallery where around five dozen original art works of the artist are on display. These include Guru Gobind Singh, Lord Rama, Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Sohni Mehiwal, Her Grace the Gaddan, etc.
Soba Singh’s Studio
Himachal This Week also talked to Sobha Singh’s grandson Dr. Hirday Paul Singh, who along with his mother and wife runs the gallery, on the condition of art village and hardships faced in maintaining the rich heritage. Following are the excerpts of the interview:
HTW: Who is managing the art gallery now?
Dr. Hirday Paul Singh: Sobha Singh Art Gallery is managed by proprietor Gurcharan Kaur assisted by me, her daughter-in-law Kamaljit Kaur, an expert in folk art traditions of Kangra, and her grandchildren.
HTW: How has been the journey so far?
Dr. Hirday Paul Singh: We have felt encouraged with the response of visitors and followers of the late artist who throng art gallery from all over the country and foreign lands. Yet we feel greatly discouraged that Sobha Singh has been deliberately “disowned” by the powers of Himachal Pradesh. Sobha Singh settled in Andretta before Himachal Pradesh was created as a separate state. Despite apathy and callous attitude of concerned, we will continue to spread the Sobha Singh’s motto ‘Grow More Good’ and will do everything possible to spread his art and philosophy as long as possible
HTW: What new attractions have been added?
Dr. Hirday Paul Singh: After the demise of artist in 1986, we have expanded the gallery stepwise: all the area used by Sobha Singh Jee has been merged in Sobha Singh Art Gallery and access has been provided to visitors to his studio and other places. New canvass prints numbering two dozen have been added. A museum was added which displays his personal belongings and photographs depicting his life journey. This year we have displayed letters to artist by Maharaja Yadvindra Singh of Patiala (father of Capt Amrinder Singh), former President Neelam Sanjiva Reddy, Prithvi Raj Kapoor etc. A website sobhasinghartist.com has been created besides a facebook group Sobha Singh Artist with over six thousand members from world over.
HTW: How do you manage resources to run the gallery?
Dr. Hirday Paul Singh: We generate our own resources to maintain the gallery as we employ three to six persons as per needs of summer or winter seasons. We have also spent to construct Sobha Singh Artist Residency building. Only last year , we introduced a nominal entry ticket to generate some resources to meet recurring expenses.
HTW: Is there any government support or patronage?
Dr. Hirday Paul Singh: There is no support from any quarter. Prem Kumar Dhumal as Chief Minister visited gallery in 2011 and had promised to extend all help. A proposal was also sent to him but it was sabotaged by one of the official of the concerned department.
HTW: What are your expectations from the government?
Dr. Hirday Paul Singh: The government should own its great artist who spent his entire life after partition in this village and brought it on international art map. The concerned departments need to introspect and plan some regular art activity here like organising art workshops, lectures, workshops etc. Road condition must improve as poor road to Andretta from Palampur notified as Sobha Singh Marg brings a bad name. Basic infrastructure for tourists should be created. Tourism Department should run an Ad campaign and promote it in on their website.
HTW: Other agencies helping the gallery, financially or otherwise?
Dr. Hirday Paul Singh: No agency is helping except one Sobha Singh Group in London which twice sent art experts to restore some of the old paintings of the artist. They provided useful tips to preserve paintings.
The government should own its great artist who spent his entire life after partition in this village and brought it on international art map -Dr. Hirday Paul Singh, Sobha Singh’s Grandson
Converted Into Museum
Sobha Singh (1901-1986)
Denied Lucrative Offers
Despite the offers of huge sums to purchase any of the painting of the late artist, the family has decided not to part with any work and is very clear that this is a national heritage which they will continue to look after and preserve for the coming generations. Efforts have been made to invite international experts to suggest conservation and preservation of the invaluable works.