Gian Singh Naqqash, who painted the interiors of the Golden Temple, died in poverty but four generations after him have nevertheless devoted themselves to
embellishing Sikh art, writes Varinder Walia
Imagine a revered Sikh naqqash, who painted frescos on the walls of the Harmander Sahib, including the dome of the structure with indigenously prepared colours for more than three decades, died in penury in 1953 at the age of 70. He was then selling clay toys painted with the same brush.
This unsung artist was Gian Singh, the master naqqash. He was a painter of frescos, the art of transferring the outline of a design on wet plaster and then filling it with suitable colours before it dries up.
No Sikh organisation had come to the rescue of the renowned artist during his lifetime. Of course, Naqqash was honoured by the SGPC in 1949, but no financial help came from any quarter till his death.
Gian Singh Naqqash is remembered for giving originality to Sikh art by introducing many innovations in frescoes like Dehin, the most captivating item of fresco painting. Dehin has been executed by him in the sanctum sanctorum, just above Har ki Pauri. It bears testimony to the incomparable workmanship of this artist.
