Shiva’s Devotee

Sobha Singh was orphaned as a child and was deprived of formal training in art. He, however, sought inspiration from contemporary trends and works of European masters that he studied while working for the British Indian army. His portraits, both religious and secular, and narrative works such as Shiva’s Devotee, were a harmonious blend of popular styles, executed with his personal aesthetic vision. Here, the worshipper is modelled on the classical nayika, and her visage as that of Lord Shiva have Ajanta-esque features. The broad dark pillar, however, seems incongruous in a setting of a muted palette.