S. Hari Singh
S. Hari Singh was one of the few artists who have given immense contribution to the field of painting but preferred to remain elusive and unknown, always avoiding publicity and personal glorification. Many artists of repute like Gurbax Singh Thethi, G.S. Sohan Singh, Dwarka Dass and S. Ram Singh were his followers who learnt artistic skills from him. He was founder member of Indian Academy of Fine Arts in Amritsar and remained its Vice President until the end of his life. His contribution to the art is immense and unique. Acclaimed as one of the greatest artist of India, every book on Art will find his name and reference to his master art and artistic excellence.
S. Hari Singh was born in 1894 in the Ramgarhia Sikh family. His father S. Ganda Singh was a famous architect who had been famous for his architecture skills, exclusive design work and decoration but he had great passion in painting and with his uncanny concentration power, he went on to become a great artist. After getting primary education in school, he preferred to pursue his dream to become an artist. Blessed with immense creative skills and artistic genius, he joined S. Ram Singh, principal of Art School, Lahore. The principal soon discovered talent in him, provided him precision training, teaching all the fundamentals and technical details of the art. The artwork that he exhibited in some local exhibitions was praised by great artists of the time and soon he was picked by the owner of a famous theatrical company of India Alfred Theatrical Company, while it was on tour at Amritsar. He joined company in 1911 as a theater artist where his job was to compose background paintings in the live shows at the theatre. He remained in the company for 14 years. The company was moving with its shows all over India and he gained great reputation for his skilful display.
During this time, he met famous artists like Master Hussain Baksh, Mohammad Deen (of Lahore) and Dineshaji Irani and Agha Hashir Kashmiri. He also met Rabindra Nath Tagore who had immense inspiration for him and he learned many technical details. The company produced some memorable dramas like Turki Hoor, Krishan Sudama that became immensely popular.
Alfred Theater Company merged with Madan Theatres Ltd at Calcutta owned by Jamshedji Framji, in 1927. The company owned 127 theatre houses all over India and controlled half of the country’s box office and he became art director responsible for scene setting, background paintings, and other technical sophistication. The plays ran for weeks or years, depending upon their popularity and went on tours sometimes for months together to India, Burma, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia. Because of his artistic skills and flawless crafting, he gained reputation of being finest art director and worked with foreign directors like Eugenio De Liguore, Camille Le Grand, and Georgia Manninni. The entire teamwork produced great sets and popular storylines with significant adoption that ensured good return to the company.
With the advent of silent motion pictures, he joined another company Pioneer Studio at Calcutta and worked as art director for 4 years. He pursued detailed study of ancient culture, dresses, and costumes of characters. Acknowledged as the top artist of India, he was honored at many royal durbars and he created many spectacular paintings for the Maharajas with exclusive style and execution.
After spending 22 years out of Punjab, he came back to his hometown Amritsar and set up a studio “Sardar Studio” at Hall Bazar, Amritsar. The studio is still in existence run by his son Kuldeep Singh. His long time associate S.G. Thakur Singh & Master Gurdit Singh Artist of Amritsar joined with him in forming Indian Academy of Fine Arts, Amritsar and he remained its Vice Chairman till his death. Numbers of exhibitions were organized and several prizes and medals were awarded to him for his artwork. He was also a great writer. His writings were in the newspapers, magazines, and periodicals mainly about art. In Amritsar, he had number of pupils, some of whom went on to become great artists like G.S. Sohan Singh, Ram Singh, Gurbax Singh Thethi, S. Mehar Singh, Dwarka Dass. A close friend of , he discussed for hours and days about art and both shared a common idea logy perspective. Both these masters never went for monetary gains or personal glorification and preferred to remain engrossed in creation of art.
The master artist was a great patriot. Independence movements had great impact on him. A strong advocate of freedom struggle and leaders who fought for freedom, he made portraits of Mahatama Gandhi, Nehru, Chander Shekhar Azad, Maulana Azad and Jinnah. These paintings were on display at various museums. A set of 20 memorable pictures of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Rani Jindan, Maharaja Maharaja Dalip Singh, Fakir Azizuddin were made by him and these were purchased by Punjab Govt. at the recommendation of M.S. Randhawa, ICS who was a great admirer of master’s art. One of his famous paintings of Guru Nanak with Bala and Mardana is at Nankana Sahib Gurdwara. Another painting of Guru Gobind Singh ji prepared by him adorns at Sri Hazoor Sahib at Nanded. This is considered to be a very rare painting and last one in the series as asserted by great historians. The third painting in the series was sold at New York at a price of Rs.1.10 crore Another painting of sixth Guru Hargobind Sahib was installed at Akal Takht Amritsar and remained there till operation blue star in 1984 where it was destroyed. A painting of Guru Nanak was adjudged as best painting by Quincentenary celebration committee in 1970 and it remained in Central Sikh museum, Amritsar. Language Deptt. Punjab, in recognition of his writings and contribution to art, was giving him financial grant every year for research work.
S. Hari Singh artist died in Feb. 1970 and artists from all over India including Sobha Singh came to attend final ceremony. His portrait was installed at museum in Golden Temple Amritsar, which is still there in recognition of his contribution to Sikh religion. In 1995, at a ceremony World Sikh convention, he was honored posthumously with silver plaque, siropa, by SGPC chief in consideration of his services to the community and exquisite workmanship and artistic perception.
Presently, his art work can be seen at various gurudwaras in India namely Hazoor Sahib, Patna Sahib,Nankana Sahib (Pakistan),Golden Temple (Amritsar) Gurudwara Ram Sar, , KaulSar , Indian Academy of Fine Arts, Amritsar to name a few.
Pictures installed at Indian Academy of fine Arts, Amritsar