Creativesketchbook at 18:15, 29 April 2026

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{{Short description|Sikh artist}}
{{Infobox artist
| name = Kehar Singh
| honorific_suffix = Musawar
| image = Self-portrait of Kehar Singh, the court painter of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.jpg
| caption = Self-portrait
| honorific_prefix = Baba
| style = [[Sikh art|Sikh School]]
| birth_date = 1820
| death_date = 1882
}}

'''Kehar Singh''' (1820–1882<ref>{{Cite book |last=Narula |first=S. S. |title=Aspects of Punjabi Culture |publisher=Department of Development of Punjabi Language, Punjabi University |year=1995 |pages=99}}</ref>) was a [[Sikh painting|Sikh artist]] who was employed as a [[court painter]] by the [[Sikh state]]s of [[Sikh Empire|Lahore]] and [[Kapurthala State|Kapurthala]].{{Efn|His personal name is alternatively spelt as 'Kher' or 'Keher'.|group=note}}<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last=Srivastava |first=R. P. |title=Punjab Painting |publisher=Abhinav Publications |year=1983 |isbn=9788170171744 |pages=}}</ref>{{Rp|page=xxi}}<ref name=":9">{{Cite book |last=Ikeda |first=Atsushi |title=Portraying the Guru: Art, Devotion and Identity in Sikhism |date=Sep 24, 2024 |publisher=Boydell & Brewer |isbn=9781837652389 |pages=41}}</ref> Baba Kehar Singh Musawar was a prominent artist of the Sikh Naqqashi school of art and helped innovate it.<ref name=":92">{{Cite web |last=Kaur |first=Maneet |date=28 November 2018 |title=Mohrakashi and the Naqqashes of Harmandir Sahib - Module |url=https://www.sahapedia.org/mohrakashi-and-the-naqqashes-of-harmandir-sahib-0 |access-date=18 August 2023 |website=Sahapedia}}</ref><ref name=":132">{{Cite web |title=Sikh Art and Architecture - Paintings |url=https://canadiansikhheritage.ca/art-and-architecture/ |website=Canadian Sikh Heritage}}</ref> The art of frescoes was introduced by the artist Bhai Kehar Singh Musawar under the patronage of Maharaja Ranjit Singh during the era of the Sikh Empire.''<ref name=":12">{{Cite news |last=Walia |first=Varinder |date=30 August 2007 |title=He protected Takht podium |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20070831/punjab1.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090711192816/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20070831/punjab1.htm |archive-date=11 July 2009 |work=The Tribune |access-date=10 September 2024 }}</ref><ref name=":23">{{Cite news |last=Walia |first=Varinder |date=7 October 2002 |title=Restoring Takht glory |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20021008/main10.htm |work=The Tribune}}</ref><ref name=":132"/>'' He was one of the most important of the court painters of [[Ranjit Singh]].<ref name=":203">{{Cite journal |last=Kaur |first=Sukhandeep |last2=Viranjan |first2=Ram |date=January–June 2023 |title=A Historical Overview of Emergence and Development of Sikh Art in Punjab |url=https://www.granthaalayahpublication.org/Arts-Journal/ShodhKosh/article/download/293/408/3680 |journal=ShodhKosh: Journal of Visual and Performing Arts |volume=4 |issue=1 |pages=389–402 |doi=10.29121/shodhkosh.v4.i1.2023.293 |eissn=2582-7472 |doi-access=free}}</ref> Kehar Singh and his family were honoured as ''Fakhr-e-Qoum'' ("pride of the nation").<ref name=":2" />{{Rp|page=|pages=49–53}}

== Family and work ==
[[File:Ambir Singh Naqqash, the father of Kehar Singh, circa 19th century.jpg|thumb|Ambir Singh Naqqash, the father of Kehar Singh, circa 19th century]]
Kehar Singh was of [[Ramgarhia]] origin, specifically belonging to the carpenter ([[Tarkhan (Punjab)|Tarkhan]]) caste.<ref name=":2" />{{Rp|page=|pages=49–53}} His family had a background in art.<ref name=":2" />{{Rp|page=|pages=49–53}} Some of the members of his family worked alongside members of the famous [[Chughtai|Chughtai family]] of Lahore, but never at the cost of each-other.<ref name=":2" />{{Rp|page=|pages=49–53}} Kehar and his family resided at Kucha Tarkhana, Gali Naqqashan, in Amritsar.<ref name=":2" />{{Rp|page=|pages=49–53}} They would travel from there to other regions to earn a living working as artists.<ref name=":2" />{{Rp|page=|pages=49–53}} The themes the family painted were Sikh, covering both religious and secular areas.<ref name=":22">{{Cite book |last=Srivastava |first=R. P. |title=Punjab Painting |publisher=Abhinav Publications |year=1983 |isbn=9788170171744 |pages=}}</ref>{{Rp|page=|pages=49–53}}

According to family genealogy narrated by Hakim Gurcharan Singh, a descendant of Kehar Singh (with the information being cross-checked and verified by the artist Hari Singh of Amritsar), it can be known that Kehar Singh was the son of Bhai Ambir Singh and that Kehar had a brother named Ram Singh (with Ram Singh being the father of Ishar Singh).<ref name=":2" />{{Rp|page=|pages=49–53}} Kehar Singh had a daughter named Ishri who was married to Rood Singh, another naqqashi artist.<ref name=":2" />{{Rp|page=|pages=49–53}}

According to a tale narrated by K. C. Aryan, Kehar Singh found employment as a court painter of Ranjit Singh after he painted a dead sparrow and convinced a sweeper of the Lahore court to place it on the throne of Ranjit Singh.<ref name=":6">{{Cite journal |last=Khalid |first=Kanwal |date=July–December 2015 |title=Miniature Painters as Historiographers |url=https://pu.edu.pk/images/journal/HistoryPStudies/PDF-FILES/9-Kanwal_V28_no2.pdf |journal=Journal of the Punjab University Historical Society |volume=28 |issue=2 |pages=124–132}}</ref><ref name=":7">{{Cite book |last=Aryan |first=Krishan Chand |title=Punjab Painting |publisher=Punjab University, Patiala |year=1975 |pages=20}}</ref> The feat worked and Kehar Singh was hired as a court painter.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":7" />

Kehar Singh was responsible for decorating the interiors of Ranjit Singh's Lahori palace with frescoes.<ref name=":21">{{Cite news |date=2 January 2023 |title=Book on city-based artist GS Sohan Singh released |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/amritsar/book-on-city-based-artist-gs-sohan-singh-released-466920 |access-date=28 August 2023 |work=The Tribune}}</ref> After Ranjit Singh witnessed the fine artwork of Kehar Singh, he decided to commission him for beautifying the Golden Temple shrine in Amritsar to embellish it with mural work (such as the domes, walls, and roofs).<ref name=":21" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite book |title=Mārg̲ |publisher=Marg Publications |year=1976 |volume=30 |pages=56}}</ref> Kehar Singh also worked at decorating the [[Akal Takht]] complex.<ref name=":3" /> He also worked on adornment work.''<ref name=":1022">{{Cite web |last=Kaur |first=Maneet |date=5 December 2018 |title=Mohrakashi and the Naqqashes of Harmandir Sahib - Overview |url=https://www.sahapedia.org/mohrakashi-and-the-naqqashes-of-harmandir-sahib |website=Sahapedia}}</ref>'' Types of structures in Amritsar and Lahore that were decorated by Kehar Singh include havelis and temples (both gurdwaras and mandirs), with him also being active in neighbouring areas of Amritsar and Lahore.<ref name=":2" />{{Rp|page=|pages=49–53}} Him and his family specialized in ''mussawir'' (painters of miniatures).<ref>{{Cite book |last=Ikeda |first=Atsushi |title=Portraying the Guru: Art, Devotion and Identity in Sikhism |date=24 September 2024 |publisher=Boydell & Brewer |isbn=9781837652389 |pages=37}}</ref> Kehar Singh is credited with establishing a school of ''naqqashes'' in Punjab.<ref name=":3" />

The Naqqash artists often were linked to each-other by family bonds, an example being the household of Kehar Singh.<ref name=":203" /> Kehar Singh had two nephews named [[Bishan Singh (artist)|Bishan Singh]] and [[Kishan Singh (artist)|Kishan Singh]], whom were accomplished artists in their own right.<ref>{{Cite book |title=The Panjab Past and Present |publisher=Department of Punjab Historical Studies, Punjabi University |year=1989 |volume=23 |pages=117}}</ref><ref name=":3" /> Most of the prominent Sikh artists of 19th and early 20th century Punjab could be traced back to the lineage of Kehar Singh, whether through blood or mentorship.<ref name=":3" /> His lineage specialized in murals and other forms of pictorial artwork.<ref name=":3" />

== Style ==
[[File:Self-portrait of Kehar Singh painting an equestrian painting of Maharaja Sher Singh of the Sikh Empire, detail from 'Darbar Maharaja Sher Singh' by Kehar Singh, ca.1842–46 (cropped).jpg|thumb|Self-portrait of Kehar Singh painting an equestrian painting of Maharaja Sher Singh of the Sikh Empire, detail from 'Darbar Maharaja Sher Singh' by Kehar Singh, ca.1842–46.]]
Kehar Singh is distinguishable from other contemporary painters as he painted common-folk going about their daily-lives and occupations, even recording the names of the persons he portrayed, where-as other contemporary painters focused on portraying courtly settings and noble individuals.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Goswamy |first=Brijinder Nath |date=10 June 2019 |title=Art N Soul: The Smell of the Earth |url=https://www.sahapedia.org/art-n-soul-smell-earth |access-date=10 September 2024 |website=Sahapedia}}</ref> He was influenced by European-styles of [[Watercolor painting|watercolour]], print, photography, and [[oil painting]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":5" /> Kehar Singh was influenced by the breakdown of central Sikh authority and the introduction of European manners of artwork and [[Photography in India|photography]], leading to the rise of the [[Company style|Company School]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Goswamy |first=Brijinder Nath |date=27 February 2000 |title=The Smell of the Earth |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/2000/20000227/spectrum/art.htm |access-date=10 September 2024 |website=The Tribune}}</ref> B. N. Goswamy distinguishes the works of Kehar Singh from that of the Bazaar School, as they are more "more serious, more aware of quality".<ref name=":1" /> Attention to detail can be seen in the facial expressions of the figures portrayed in his paintings.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |others=Fakir Khana Museum |title=Court of Maharaj Sher Singh - Kher Singh |url=https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/court-of-maharaj-sher-singh-kher-singh/2QE-usFuhmso7g |access-date=13 October 2024 |website=Google Arts and Culture}}</ref> To suit English tastes, Kehar Singh began producing artwork using translucent wash, which is unalike the opaque watercolor used in [[Indian painting|traditional Indian painting]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Man twisting thread |url=https://umma.umich.edu/objects/man-twisting-thread-1964-2-116/ |access-date=10 September 2024 |website=University of Michigan Museum of Art}}</ref> As to Kehar Singh's work, there was European influence on the effects of light and shade in his art pieces.<ref name=":203"/> He is believed to have been the first to introduce avian (bird) designs to the Sikh frescoes.''<ref name=":1022"/>'' There are examples of Kehar Singh portraying himself in his paintings, as a form of [[self-portraiture]].<ref name=":4" /> One self-portrait depicts him seated on a mat whilst leaned against a bolster, with a board on his lap and a large, open wooden-box with his painting materials before him.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Desvergnes |first=Amélie Couvrat |date=22 December 2022 |title=Change of Posture and Materials Among Nineteenth-Century South Asian Painters |url=https://amelieconservation.com/2022/12/26/change-of-posture-and-materials-in-nineteenth-century-south-asian-painters/ |access-date=13 October 2024 |website=Amélie Conservation}}</ref> Many real-life locations are depicted in his extant paintings, such as the [[Naulakha Pavilion]] of the [[Lahore Fort]].<ref name=":4" /> When portraying a particular societal grouping, such as an occupation or caste, Kehar Singh portrayed actual living, breathing individuals rather than creating generalized depictions.<ref name=":1" />

== Collection ==
Artwork that was produced by the familial atelier and lineage of Kehar Singh can be found in the collections of the Lahore Museum (Pakistan), Government Museum and Art Gallery (Chandigarh), Victoria and Albert Museum (London), and the Central Sikh Museum (Amritsar, pre-1984).<ref name=":2" />{{Rp|page=|pages=49–53}} A series of work attributed to Kehar Singh dating to circa 1875 are kept in the collection of the [[Government Museum and Art Gallery, Chandigarh|Government Museum and Art Gallery]] in [[Chandigarh]].<ref name=":1" />

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
File:'A Couple Carrying Water Pitchers', by Kehar Singh, Punjab, circa 19th century.jpg|'A Couple Carrying Water Pitchers', by Kehar Singh, Punjab, circa 19th century
File:Nihang and Nihangni, by Kehar Singh.jpg|Nihang and Nihangni, by Kehar Singh
File:'Maharaja Sher Singh on Horseback' by Keher Singh, ca.1842–46.jpg|'Maharaja Sher Singh on Horseback' by Keher Singh, ca.1842–46
File:Maharaja Sher Singh & Courtiers in Naulakha Pavilion, Lahore Fort with river Ravi flowing, by Kehar Singh.jpg|Maharaja Sher Singh & Courtiers in Naulakha Pavilion, Lahore Fort with river Ravi flowing, by Kehar Singh. A self-portrait of the artist at-work can be seen at the bottom of the frame.
File:Painting of the Sikh saint Ajab Singh Nihang by Kehar Singh, ca.1850–75.jpg|Painting of the Sikh saint Ajab Singh Nihang by Kehar Singh, ca.1850–75
File:Watercolour sketch of two noblemen of the Punjab seated in discussion, attributed to the artist Kehar Singh, circa 1875.webp|Watercolour sketch of two noblemen of the Punjab seated in discussion, attributed to the artist Kehar Singh, circa 1875
File:'Bawa Lekh Ram' by Keher Singh, ca.1830–40.jpg|'Bawa Lekh Ram' by Keher Singh, ca.1830–40
File:A Sketch of Sardarni Sada Kaur.jpg|A Sketch of Sardarni Sada Kaur, by Kehar Singh
File:Women cooking in tandoor by Kehar Singh.jpg|Women cooking in tandoor, by Kehar Singh
</gallery>

== Notes ==
{{Reflist|group=note}}

== References ==
<references />

[[Category:19th-century Indian male artists]]
[[Category:1820 births]]
[[Category:1882 deaths]]

Kehar Singh artist - Revision history

Creativesketchbook at 18:15, 29 April 2026