Sobha Singh work used with noble intent: Punjab Govt

Chandigarh, January 4

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A day after Gurcharan Kaur, daughter of painter Sobha Singh, expressed resentment over “unauthorised use of a painting” of Guru Tegh Bahadur by the Punjab Government in its 2021 calendar, the government today said it had been used with “noble intent” and not for profit.

“A spontaneous outpour of contributions by people from all walks of life during the 550th Parkash Purab celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev encouraged the Department of Information and Public Relations to collect best artistic content befitting the stature of celebrations to mark the Parkash Purab of Guru Tegh Bahadhur.

“In its noble intent, the department failed to seek formal permission for depiction of the paintings, which was admittedly a mistake,” said Gurkirat Kirpal Singh, Secretary of the department, in reply to the painter’s daughter. The Secretary assured her the painter’s artwork would not be associated with the Parkash Purab celebrations.

Gurcharan Kaur had sought compensation for the economic loss caused by the move since prints of the classic work could not be sold. — TNS