Sobha Singh, born in 1901 in Gurdaspur, undivided Punjab, emerged as the quintessential painter of Sikh Guru portraits Despite the early loss of his parents, Singh's innate passion for the arts propelled him to self-learn drawing and sculpture during his formative years This lack of formal training did not deter him; instead, he honed his skills while serving in the British Indian army as a draughtsman, studying the works of European artists

Post his military service in 1923, Singh settled in Amritsar, opening his studio and embarking on a journey that spanned Amritsar, Lahore, and Delhi Over the next two decades, he earned acclaim as a portrait painter, participating in exhibitions and showcasing his evolving mastery In 1946, Singh briefly embraced the role of an art director in Lahore for a film, but the tumultuous Partition compelled him to relocate once more Ultimately finding solace in the artists' enclave of Andretta in Himachal Pradesh, Singh dedicated himself to his craft

While Singh's oeuvre extended to diverse subjects, his primary focus remained on painting images of Sikh gurus Beyond religious depictions, he delved into portraying freedom fighters, Indian army heroes, and characters from Punjab's folk tales, including the timeless Heer-Ranjha Singh's artistic versatility encompassed landscapes and sculptures, showcasing a rich tapestry of themes

Influenced by European paintings and inspired by Sikh Guru teachings, Singh's art resonated with depth and spiritual fervour His dedication culminated in prestigious recognition, including the Padma Shri from the Indian government As a tribute, a documentary, "Painter of People," marked his seventy-fifth birthday Sobha Singh breathed his last on August 22, 1986, in Chandigarh, but his artistic legacy endures through the Sobha Singh Art Gallery and Museum in Andretta, lovingly maintained by his family