Painter Mehar Singh passes away

Renowned portrait artist Mehar Singh passes away. He was Born on October 1, 1929. A master of Indian realism, he was duly awarded and rewarded for his contribution to the field of art. He was honoured as the state artist by the Punjab Government and had served as the president of the Punjab Lalit Kala Akademi and vice-president of the Punjab Art Council. He received the Punjab Rattan Award in 2012 for his life-time achievements.

Mehar Singh started his initial art training while being a school student in Lahore, under celebrated artist Sobha Singh. Post Partition, he followed his ‘ustaad’ to Andretta.

Mehar Singh joined the American Embassy, New Delhi, in 1958, making busts and portraits of various American presidents during his decade-plus tenure. A portrait of the then President, Richard Nixon, fetched him a signed letter of commendation from the President himself.

Among his famous paintings included an oil painting depicting Guru Nanak Dev ji's visit to Kabul on the way back from Mecca. The painting shows the local population gathered to see the Guru.

To mark the birth centenary of the legendary artist, Sardar Sobha Singh, Sobha Singh memorial award has been constituted by the Punjab govt in the year 2001. And Mehar Singh, who was the then President of Punjab Kala Bhavan and a self-confessed disciple of Sobha Singh became the first recipient of the award.