Catch a glimpse of great artist SG Thakar Singh’s work

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, September 6

The Indian Academy of Fine Arts (IAFA) celebrated the 122nd birth anniversary of eminent artist SG Thakar Singh, who was also the founder member of the academy along with another noted artist Master Gurdit Singh.

As a tribute to the great artist, the IAFA has organised an exhibition displaying the popular works of SG Thakar Singh as well as his personal memorabilia, including the medals he had been awarded by various royals for his artistic services. The exhibition will stay open till October.

Thakar Singh had earned patrons, including Rabindranath Tagore, Pataudis, Maharaja of Patiala, Kapurthala royal family and India’s first President, Dr Rajendra Prasad.

“Some of these paintings, which are 100 years old, have been preserved by the IAFA. The exhibition will create awareness about his works and his contribution to the promotion of art at a time when most painting artists were limited to work as poster makers in film industry in Mumbai. His hat has intellectual rights to his works. He founded the IAFA to serve as a tool for promoting and supporting progressive art and artists,” said Arvinder Chamak, general secretary, IAFA. A short film was also screened at the event for student of fine arts. Born in 1899 in Verka near Amritsar, Thakar Singh was awarded Padma Shri in 1973. A landscape artist, he spent later years of his life in Amritsar where he founded the Thakar Singh School of Arts that turned into an art gallery later.

Know the man

• Born in 1899 in Verka near Amritsar, Thakar Singh was awarded Padma Shri in 1973.
• A landscape artist, he spent later years of his life in Amritsar where he founded the Thakar Singh School of Arts that turned into an art gallery later.